I gave Emily two options for riding today USCS/Wilder Ranch or Big Basin/Butano. Since we've still never successfully ridden all of Big Basin, she picked it. This is the third attempt and third time failing. First time she was going to borrow her dad's car but he left for work with the keys. Last time there were so many downed trees on the east side of Gazos Creek Trail that we turned around. This time was even worse. We made it all the way up to the Treehouse and started to head down Gazos Creek Trail and just like last time we encountered downed trees. Only this time it was a lot worse. Instead of just one tree, it was multiple trees from multiple directions falling in on the trail. It almost seemed intentional but it wasn't. Originally, I wasn't going to go down to the park HQ and descend the west side of Gazos Creek instead, then head to Butano but since Emily still hasn't done it, I had the great idea of going up to China Grade, down Butano Fire Rd. to Olmo Fire Rd. With the downed trees it was back to Plan A. Well on the west side descent, there were also lots of downed trees but luckily they were just single trees that were easy to climb over It's been a while since I've climbed Butano Fire Rd. and I do Olmo Fire Rd. even less. I forgot that it's basically all the way at the top and I was not enjoying the climb. Emily was riding my Epic EVO and I decided to put SPDs onto the Stumpjumper in case we wanted to swap bikes. I guess the setup is different enough from the flat pedals that towards the top, my left hamstring was starting to cramp, which it never does normally. And on the way back, I was starting to feel the right hamstring as well. Just before Olmo Fire Rd. we passed some people that were clearing the downed trees. Sounds like they put in a lot of work and we're grateful for that. They hadn't cleared the trails ahead though. We were hoping for the best but we were sadly met with more downed trees on Olmo. At first it was just single trees like the west side of Gazos Creek so we kept going but eventually there were multiple trees like the east side of Gazos Creek. It became as impassable as well so we had to turn around and hike back up. The descent back down Butano Fire Rd. was fun at least! The only times I haven't been able to ride the whole route at Big Basin is with Emily. I felt bad but she enjoyed it at least. We will try again. Fourth times a charm.