Grafton with Guacamole

Grafton is as rough and Gnarly as the pioneers that first settled there. We met up at the cemetery and spent some time reading the grave markers. Indians, sickness, and even a swinging accident was the cause of many of those resting there.  It is remarkable how tough those initial settlers were.

 The final trail to the valley was cut by those pioneers into the side of the Mesa to get timber. Ravines and gullies were filled with rocks until the trail was usable. In recent years that trail has been resurrected by Mountain bikers, but it hasn't lost a bit of it's original grit. The scenery isn't bad as well, although as we stood on the overlook below, before the final descent, I wondered if the people who originally lived here, after a long day of gather wood during a long hot summer day in a location that can begin to feel like the surface of the sun, thought is was. I am doubtful. 

We were lucky to ride it with someone who has spent some time exploring the upper trails and was able to link together a great system of trails. The link below is the GPS to that track;

Grafton Mesa at EveryTrail

EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking in Utah

The trail ends with some pretty decent drops and one gap jump. Guthrie decided to try one of the more mellow ones, I opted for the easy way out and longer way around. This one actually looks works from the bottom.

We ended up riding it twice then went into Springdale for some lunch. After a long lunch, drawn out by a St. Patrick's day parade through town, then out of town will all the cars leaving, we headed up to Guacamole.

The trail is fairly, mellow, intermediate, with small elevation gain, but still a lot of fun, with some good views. 

Guthrie tried out the Bronson on some a few steep drops and was impressed with how easy they seemed, or at least I was.

The only drawback to the day was the Maxxis Ardent 2.25 tire. Here is our review; it sucks don't buy it. If it does last more than two or three rides, you will suffer constant flats and lack of traction. On the positive side, it was fairly easy to get off the rim, so a new tire could replace it.  

Grafton is on our list as a favorite. There are a lot of options out there and opportunities to keep exploring one trail at a time. 

Gooseberry's Fraternal Twin - Little Creek Mesa

Gooseberry Mesa -  for Mountain bikers the name evokes images of winding around and through trees while hopping rock ledges, skirting cliff edges and riding one of the prime trails ever created. Little known too most is it's twin; Little Creek Mesa.

While similar in riding, many have suggested that Little Creek rivaled and even surpassed the riding to be had on Gooseberry. The trails are less marked, but for the adventurous in spirit that becomes and indeed is part of the allure that keeps them coming back.

We had ridden Little Creek before, but I broke a rear hub after only a few miles. We went and bought a new rear hub and rim, but with daylight fading we were only able to get in 10 miles or so. We had heard rumor that there are many more miles of trail (actually up to forty according to over the edge sports in Hurricane) so we had to go back.

We didn't end up taking many pictures. We were too busy riding.

After riding much of what little creek has to offer, I guarantee we will be going back again and again!

St. George Biking

You know those days when everything is right? The Temperature, breeze, attitude, trail conditions...everything. Saturday was one of those days.

My brother and I decided it was time for our first biking trip. Our fitness level was fairly low, so I spent about two weeks spinning everyday after work, and he worked out twice, I still couldn't keep up.

There were some new trails we wanted to try called Zen, Barrel Roll, sidewinder, and Guacamole. It had rained the week before, but with seven days of sun and a light breeze the trail conditions were in biking lingo, "Hero Dirt"...amazing...perfect.

We hit the first trail called Zen.

It is a amazing new singletrack that climbs about 1100 feet and includes technical climbing, descending and great views. I consider it a must ride.

After Zen we rode some semi-new trails outside of Santa Clara called Barrel Roll and Sidewinder.

These are also fun trails but not at the level of zen, a little less technical, but some great flowing sections, perhaps more intermediate.

After finishing Barrell Roll we, along with every baseball team in Utah, stopped by subway for lunch.

Black Forest ham with lettuce, onions, cucumbers, pickles and Yellow Peppers. Perfect.

After Lunch we headed out to a rarely ridden trail just outside of Arches called Guacamole. It was by far the best of the day and a perfect ending. The trail is a combination of dirt singletrack and slick rock, very similar to little creek or Gooseberry mesa. The road up was beyond the capacity of the Saturn so we pedaled up the trail, the ride was more than worth it.

Over all a great day riding. 27 Miles, 65 degrees, sunny with a light breeze.

For the ride home we took the scenic route through Zion National Park. Very pretty and very empty this time a year.

Dinner was at Arbys in Panguitch, which is where that first photo originated. Guthrie sporting his Bieber-hair-helmet.

In two weeks is Fruita.

The season has begun.