Utah Cliffs - Day 6 Pine Valley Equestrian Campground to Cedars City

Utah  Cliffs  - Day 6  Pine Valley Equestrian Campground to Cedars City
Tuesday   Oct 9th, 2018

Start 6800'
High pt  50'
Lo pt 00'
End Elv.  00'
Climbing 00'?
Miles 46.4
Total time 5:45?
Ride time 5:00

Blues skies greet me this morning, after a night with most of my clothes and down jacket on in a somewhat successful effort to stay warm. I did have a session of being serenaded by the coyotes to help me drift back to sleep. Old Sol is a welcome companion for breakfast and packing. The few clouds over the wilderness mountains burn away by my 10 ish departure.
The snowy mantle still cloaks the mountains, bright in the morning sun.
My plan takes me north to Pinto then east a few miles before turning south for some more back roads through the Pine Mountains towards New Harmony.
I take off, warming up the lungs and legs as I pedal back through the village of Pine Valley. The gentle climb to Grass Valley through pînon juniper forest. Few cones on the pinons this dry year.
The the winding rollercoaster of the road generally down to Pinto. Pinto is a handful of home plus some surrounding ranches. A friendly local, in a side by side of coarse, points me in the right direction to New Harmony, including a landmark of where to turn to New Harmony. It is a historic old house and pond. Heading east I climb a small divide and look for a place to refuel a bit. The forest gives way to another grass land park area. I head down on the good forest service road. I see the house in the distant and as I get closer, it is a large ish brick home from long ago, boarded up, with ponds that have large cottonwoods with some old pale trees laden with fruit.
As I pull up to the plaque, I hear the loud ping from my bike, the sound of a rear spoke giving up, quickly followed by the rhythmic rubbing of my rear tire.
While I have replacement spokes, the broken 2 are on the freewheel side. I attempt in vain to find a way the thread them through. I have a choice now. Head up and further into the mountains and spend a night as planned, or take the forest road out 5 me to the highway to Cedar city. Given I have 2 spokes down, and fearing more breakage on rougher roads,  it seems better to limp back into town on smoother roads, as cedar city has some bike shops.
The road out is rolling and slightly down, good shape though I hold back the Steed on the down hills. I reach hwy 56, and I give the steed some rein on the smoothment. It is a modestly winding down hill out of the Pine mountains, and soon Cedar mountain start peaking over the ridges at me. There is a mantle of snow from its 10000'+ peak down very low. This is the next 2 days of my route.
This visage accompanies me for the rest of my 18 mile ride back into town.
I score hotel room and talk to the bike shop owner and mechanic. The dirt roads on the mtn usually do not dry out til spring. And I have planned 3 or 4 more mountain sections. Rain is scheduled for Thursday. I need to digest and assess scenarios.
Digging through my maps and web weather, I could do most of the ride on busy highway variants (which I'm not a big fan off), but things are going to be chilly in the low areas, and downright cold up higher. I might be able to make it to the desert section before the next front comes through, but rain in the desert has its own challenges.

Sigh....

I reluctantly decide that one can't fight mother nature, and when the wind blows, one, at times, needs to bend.

So this is the end of the Utah biking, Glenda will come fetch me tomorrow and we will head home, to plan and plot future excursions and adventures (ski season is fast approaching this year!)
I was intending to ride some of the in town single track, but the bike shop indicated it was like too wet still, with the gripper clay waiting ....

I did snap a couple of photos up in the mountains on the trip home. I was planning on camping not too far from these last 2 photos. The dirt roads looks pretty crappy, the temp never got out of the 30s until I was out of those mountains.
The other mountain ranges were also trying on their mantles of winter cloaks.

A few shots from Hurricane trails

Met up with Matt, Neale, Richard, Jeremy  and Jim fir a few days of storm didging, laughing, and even some classic trails.

Utah Cliffs - Day 5 Baker Dam Reservoir Campground to Pine Valley equestrian Campground

Utah  Cliffs  - Day 5  Baker Dam Reservoir Campground to Pine Valley equestrian Campground
Monday   Oct 8th, 2018

Start 4900'
High pt  6850'
Lo pt 4900'
End Elv.  6800'
Climbing 2200'?
Miles 15.4
Total time 3:00?
Ride time 2:35

Kinda cold last night, with rain spitting occasionally.
Climbed in the sleeping as early, but the bickersons family cross the way were exercising their predominate communication style till about midnight, conversational yelling and bitching from different tents.
The teenagers take after the folks as a real todo happens about 4 am, with many many F bombs hurled. Eventually getting the parents out of their tent, and then the father left and drove away. Did not see him again.

Sooooo, I slept in a bit to catch up, and cause it was cold and cloudy.
Hoping to do one more night over the mountain before reaching Cedar City.
As I ride, the mountains are still socked in, but clearing is slowly happening behind me in tbe desert near St George. I am rooting for the clearing to accelerate my way as the clouds are still dark and low where I am heading. There is a stiff head wind, and this is some of the coldest I have been riding. It is steadily uphill this morning,  at that usually keeps me warm, but not today. By noon I am about 10 miles into my 35, with no local relief to clouds and cold. Indeed, I can still see my breath, and the mountain tops are white with snow. I contemplate heading back to Veyo since it is cold and threatening. I decide for a short day and go off route a few miles to the Pine Valley Recreation Site and camp; we will see what the morrow beings. I am hoping some referenced cafés and store is open in Pine Valley itself, but only on weekends this late. I do get cell service and check forecasts. Sunny tomorrow and partially on Wednesday. I also top off my water at the heritage center in town before doing the last few easy miles to camp grounds.
I setup the tent and pile on the clothes. Hanging is too cold in the grey day,  so I walk around and observe Pine Valley. The snow line looks to be maybe 500-700'  above the valley, clinging to the trees and is super white as the sun starts peaking  through. I walk and watch the delicate interplay between green trees and snowline, sun, clouds, snow and cliffs, ever changing ever slowly. My life slows down to natures cadence. And I am more than fine with that.

Utah Cliffs - Day 4 Hurricane/Dixie Springs to Baker Dam Reservoir Campground

Utah  Cliffs  - Day 4  Hurricane/Dixie Springs to Baker Dam Reservoir Campground
Sun  Oct 7th, 2018

Start 2950'
High pt  4950'
Lo pt.  2950
End Elv.  4900'
Climbing 2400'?
Miles 44.2
Total time 6:40
Ride time 5:25

After a 4 day break to mountain bike with some friends around Hurricane, I am back on the route today.
We did have a couple intense rain fronts blow through, including last night, but forecast look pretty clear for next 7 days, with some weather to watch on Thursday.
The house we rented is in Dixie Springs,  which is halfway to St George, and I am not to inclined to back track and also the heavy rain last night can make the desert dirt roads a mess, so a pavement day today, though I would like to ride the skipped Warner Valley some day. It is mostly overcast, but calm as I get my late start.
Some Southern Parkway Highway cruising brings me to Washington Dam Road, and then the Virgin River. There is a nice paved bike path along the river until I rejoin the route in SE St. George.
Several miles of touring the wide boulevards of St George pops me out on the NW side and the Snow Canyon paved bike path. The cloud cover is solid now, and a head wind is picking up as I head toward Snow Canyon State Park.
I turn up beautiful Snow Canyon proper and the wind is getting more of my attention and energy. It is down right chilly and cold. I still have 20ish miles to go, and some of the clouds are looking dark and potentially ripe. Up up I go, I pass a sign informing folks of a bicycle hill climb coming up next weekend for my route. I slowly work my way through the 8 miles of red rock canyons and petrified dunes, with their layer of black lava like frosting on top.
Exiting the park, I rejoin Highway 18, 10 miles to Vwyo, and up up up I go on the wide shoulder, next to the climbing lane for Das Autos. The climbing lanes ends after a couple of miles, I pass a cinder cone and get a good view of the Pine Valley mountains, their peaks and valleys collecting dark clouds. I am hoping that the rain I see stays up high as the roads levels out. After a few miles, I start feeling a few sprinkles, and the road is slowly getting damp as I pedal on, counting the mile to Veyo. I reach veyo, and stop to review maps and info. The Blm campground is only 4 miles further and it is 4:30, so I a bond on looking into lodging in Veto, but the thought of hot show and warm room still sound appealing none the less.
More elevation is required o achieve Baker Dam Campground, so I keep the legs a moving, and it keeps me warm as the  light drizzle becomes a bit more regularly.
At last the turn down the side road to the campground. I quickly setup shelter, and drizzle is back to spitting on me only occassionally, so I will have hot food tonight as well.
Warm food and a dry down bed are welcome after today's ""desert"" riding!

Utah Cliffs - Day 3 Hi Roads CG ( by zion east entrance) to Hurricane

Utah  Cliffs  - Day 3  Hi Roads CG ( by zion east entrance) to Hurricane
Tues  Oct 2st, 2018

Start 5823'
High pt  5823'
Lo pt.  2950'
End Elv.  2950'
Climbing 500'?
Miles 50.3
Total time 6:30
Ride time 4:07

There were several waves of gentle rain on Tuesday morning as I tossed and turned before dawn, remnants of hurricane Rosa starting to pump tropical moisture up into the desert SW. Fortunately, it stopped about the time I got up and things weren't too damp, but very overcast.
Today, I will traveling down through Zion, and out to Hurricane, though I will take the highway instead of the routes' dirt backroads over Gooseberry Mesa and through the the Hurricane Cliffs to avoid gripper clay and muddy roads
I have a decision to ride, or wait for my friend at come though Zion later in the day in case of heavy rain.
Weather is dry though breakfast and packing up, so I  am going to ride.
Head out about 9 to the east entrance a half mile away. Drizzle starts as I tour down the empty highway. See a couple of cars near the entrance and then it is 6 miles of empty roads as I start down through Zion,  petrified sand dunes growing around me. It is wonderful riding without traffic through this amazing landscape. I do need to hitch a ride for my steed and I through the Mt Carmel tunnel as bikes are not allowed to be ridden through.
I reach the tunnel and wait for traffic, ying and yang playing with me to balance out the zen of the empty road cruise so far. I am throwing my thumb out at every open bed pickup, with not much luck due to light traffic and not very easy place to pull over. Then the tour busses and larger RVs start arrivng, causing one way traffic and traffic backups. I start approaching pickups that have passed on my thumb, and the 3rd one I talk to is amenable, though it took 1.25 hours. Not a bad place to hang tho.
The generous hunter and daughter are returning from hunting in the same area I was riding yesterday, and we chat about education, kids, and their local country side as they are from Hurricane.
When we get through the tunnel traffic is stopped yet again so crews can clear some sand that washed down last night, so this my stop. I quickly unload my bike and gear and reattach all of the bags, just in time to be at the tail of the line through road work; on to the famous Zion  switchbscks. Since I am slower than the cars, I again have empty road in front and behind as I descend into the heart of Zion. It is marvelous to go at my own pace, taking in the glorious views, without worrying about traffic. I reach Canyon Junction and take the Pa'rus bike path back along the Virgin river, descending more gently, weaving in and out of groves of cottonwoods, and at each grove I exit, the canyon walls greet me along the way.
Alas such play is all too shortlived. I exit the park and have decided to take paved Highway 9 to La Verkin and Hurricane, avoiding the dirt and possible mud/clay of the backroads. As I approach la Verkin and hurricane, I look over to the mesa  I would be riding, glad I am not out there today. Sigh, perhaps those roads will await my return.

Utah Cliffs - Day 2 Duck Creek CG to Hi Roads CG ( by Zion east entrance)

Utah  Cliffs  - Day 2   Duck Creek CG to Hi Roads CG ( by Zion east entrance)
Mon  Oct 1st, 2018

Start 8600'
High pt  9150'
Lo pt.  5825'
End Elv.  5825'
Climbing ~2400'
Miles 43.5
Total time 5:15
Ride time 4:37

Last night was the last night camping with Glenda in the camper.
A band of rain passed through close to dawn, and it was a damp and overcast greeting of low clinging clouds for my first solo foray on this Utah adventure. Still, the wild winds of the last two days are absent, and the pavement shows a wee bit of drying as we go through our departure preparations.
I have about 40 miles planned up to Navajo Lake and then down down down the North Fork of the Virgin River, then up and over to the east entrance area of Zion.  I am worried about more rain given the Utah backcountry dirt roads can become intractable when wet. The remnants of Hurricane Rosa are set to clobber the desert SW states come Tuesday and Wednesday.
I pack up, determined to make it to appointed (and reserved) campground spot just outside of Zion NP East entrance.
I take nice dirt backroads up to Navajo Lake. The rain was enough to keep the dust down, and no more. I gain pavement along the lake, and end up racing a deer on the road. I was gaining on him as I pedaled down a rolling section, until he decided to head for up the hills. Which, of course,  where not paved. Deer 1, Dan 0.
As I climb to over 9000',  the clouds get closer and are clinging to the mountains sides above me. I am having some doubts as I pedal on pavement for several miles along Navajo Lake. The route decends for over 16 miles on dirt when the pavement ends, and I have a decision to make before I commit. The sky has an occasion blue hole in the cloud cover, but rarely does old Sol share his radiance with me. Though, he makes me smile when sunshine slight some golden or red hillside.
Well, at the dirt junction,  the road looks in good shape, and I will be losing 3000' in elevation, hoping that lower down  and further from the plateau the weather is better.
The road parallels the Virgin rim for a number miles, going through cabin country, with some unusual examples along the way. Soon the pink cliffs of the rim come into view,  juxtaposed with flaming aspen and the deep green of alpine evergreens.
The North Fork of the Virgin River is tame here, though this same stream carved the Narrows in zion 800 to 1000' deep.
As I descend, plateau mesas rise to tower  above. While they still their coniferous crowns of ponderosa and fir, their shoulder have shrugged off the green summer mantle, replacing with a melange of reds, oranges, rusts and yellow,  all to celebrate Gaia 's annual fall festival. I stop numerous times just to gaze, wishing the sun was more generous today. I will take the bright spots I can.
The road is mostly good though there are many section of deep powdery dirt or sand. The plus tires work well here, but I still need to pay attention.
After 16 miles, the climb out begins, over a shoulder and down to the Orderville  drainage then along fairly mellow climb to the local maxima, during the climb, the tops of the zion canyon grow as i get closer, but mostly I only see to top most white grey sandstone layer. Hard to imagine those canyons are up yo 1000' deep.after cresting, I start descending through juniper and pinon, passing by some nice developments on pavement.
A couple of miles along scenic hwy 9 brings me to Hi Roads campground around 2 pm. While there is plenty of daylight left, I  have a reservation, so I will get to chill and relax, and avail myself to the amenities a private campground offers.