The makings of this trip began in February of 2007 when, for my Dad's 70th Birthday, we decided to buy him a skydiving pass at Sky Dive Moab. In October he decided to finally use it so we went down to with him to ride the Whole Enchilada from Hazard or Kokopelli, not the full 28 miles, but substantial none-the-less, while he jumped.
We left our house at 4:30 AM Saturday morning (we let my 70 YEAR OLD dad sleep in a little). Unknown to us was the fact that the road to Hazard was closed due to mud slides the night before, since we had already driven that far, we decided to just head up geyser pass, and hit up Burro. We would hike if we needed or carry our bikes if necessary, but we were determined to ride the trail having come so far.
Due to the icy conditions on the road, the car couldn't make it up so we ended up pedaling the rest of the way to the top.
In the Distance you can see Burro Pass, it was blowing snow. No other tire tracks. We did see a set of hiking tracks, but no people. The solitude was golden.
As we neared the top, the snow was about six inches deep, we did more hiking than biking...at least I did. Guthrie machined his way through most of it.
Finally at the top. We put on some warmer gear and headed down. Through snow, rocks and roots. We loved it. Perhaps the last tracks this year ?
After we left the snow behind, Burro was Hero Dirt, tacky and fast.
Climbing Hazzard offered some great views and great riding. Still with no other bikers in sight.
Things were going well until we hit Kokopelli, where the mud stopped us in our tracks. You could tell others had tried to ride and ended up walking. We just walked, but only for 1/2 mile or so, then, Hero Dirt again.
Finally, at the beginning of UPS we encountered other riders. Most asked us where we started, we mentioned "Burro Pass". They said something about snow and cold, we said it was awesome. We've come to realize, over the years, most people don't see adventure as we do. Maybe they are lucky, maybe they are missing out.
Guthrie did the diving board, I did not. Last time a combination of my way-over-average-weight and older-than-average-bike broke, I decided even with a newer bike and still over-than-average-weight, I would not attempt said obstacle that day.
It was a great ride and a great day. 30 degrees and snow at the top, 70 and sunny at the bottom.
However, under girding this entire experience and day, was the fact that my 70 YEAR OLD father left his house at 4 AM, hiked Negro bill canyon, went skydiving (which he said was "the most fun he has ever had')and finished it off with a bike ride on the deadhorse point trail system finally arriving home at 11:30 PM.
I've never wondered where we received our adventure gene...he taught us to keep on living, hiking, riding and having adventures One Trail At a Time.
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