The Whole Enchilada - Frozen then Reheated

 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.

Moab - 4.21.2012 - Mag 7 and More

With literally years of riding in Moab, we are always looking for new trails. Last year the Long Awaited Mag 7 trail finally became a reality making it possible to ride from the Gemini Bridges trail head to the bottom of poison spider or a more difficult route, the legendary Portal Trail.

We decided it was time for a technical taste test...

Guthrie called and  arranged with Chili bikes for a shuttle, however it didn't leave until nine and after a 4 a.m. start we arrived in Moab at seven. Determined not to waste any time, we rode the new north 40 trail in the Moab brand trails section. It is a fairly easy, nice flowy singletrack that was a good beginning to a long day.

The beginning of the Mag 7 was difficult to ride. Not because it is overtly technical, but because the scenery is amazing. Multiple times we left the trail mistakenly because our eyes were taking in the scenery.

At the top after the shuttle dropped us off there were 50 or so riders getting ready to go. We started off fast to break away from the pack and for the most of the day had the trails to ourselves.

The trail essentially follows well established jeep trails (gemini, gold bar rim, golden spike) which we had ridden before, only now, all singletrack.

The decision comes when gold bar meets golden spike. Following golden spike will get you down poison spider, is technically easier and there is a less likely hood of getting lost.

Or, you can follow Goldbar very steeply to the rim, connect with an extremely technical trail only known as the "blue dot trail", then descend via the cliff edged Portal trail.

We chose this route.

After climbing the Gold Bar Rim trail we had Lunch with a view atop a 1,000 foot cliff overlooking 191 as it enters Moab.

It was here we began Blue dot.

I think the blue dot trail may be one of the most technical trails in Moab. It is never ending body shifting, ledge dropping, steep climbing, boulder hopping goodness.

With Guthrie's new Stumpy Evo he was trying everything there was to offer, it was impressive to say the least. I rode most of it, but chose to dismount and walk a few sections to "take pictures".

The trail also winds along the cliff edge, right along the cliff edge in places.

Notice the Blue "caution" sign written on the rock.

After about 6 miles (which seems like 20) of this technical treat, the trail reconnects with poison spider near the portal descent.

I would call the portal trail a ride-a-hike trail. It is not overly technical (although at the bottom when it leaves the cliff edge it is) , but combine that with a 1,000 drop on one side and a vertical cliff on the other and it is slightly nerve racking. Add in the three signs that say, "dismount now and walk, some one died here" and it is a different experience all together.

We walked some, but rode more.

After reaching the road, it was back into town and subway to lunch, then on to our third then fourth trail of the day.

The third trail was literally 1.5  miles of a sandy road, riddled with four wheelers and dust, heading out the Monitor and Merrimac buttes. Needless to say, after riding prime singletrack for 4 hours we were in no mood to ride a sandy road.

We returned to the car and headed out to Klondike bluffs, where we did a quick out and back on Dino Flow and little salty. A nice smooth flowy end to a 40 mile, workout of a day.

Driving home, we realized this was a day we will never forget.

The Mag 7, Blue Dot, Portal trail system is a technical feast that will work you physically and mentally. I would recommend it for strong riders who love adventure.

We will be doing it again.

Room to Grow

Last year on our annual M.A.T. (Moab Adventure Trip) My three oldest and I rode Gemini Bridges which is about fourteen miles. On the trip I took a picture of them that turned out rather well. MBA Action Magazine, a mountain biking magazine I enjoy asked for some pictures with children biking so I sent ours in...

And they chose it.

So here it is and here they are in all of their Glory!!

Middle Picture!

Just a little update on our adventure family;

E (The middle one in the picture) wants a harness and helmet for rock climbing for her birthday.

C - Not in picture, he is 9 wants a sit on top Kayak for his.

A new adventure sport..

For some time now I have been waiting to go canyoneering. I joined a group last year called "the brethren" but until now I have been unable to go on any trips. Last Saturday, there was a trip planned, and Guthrie and I joined them for a great day in arches.

The first route we did is called "lomation" and is located in the fiery furnace. Not many do this route unless guided professionally with a Moab guide, because it is like memorizing a maze. Lucky for us Steve, my friend who took us (and co-founder of the brethren) knows his way around inside there.

It was absolutely amazing. Imagine exploring and climbing around on rocks, fins, washes and then rappelling down into slot canyons. It was even better because the weather forecast, which was wrong, turned many tourists away from arches so it was in a large part empty.

We first made our way to the top of the fins, then rappelled back down into the canyons.

The first rappel in Lomation is done by slinging off an arch, cliff arch to be exact.

Robert on the first rappel in Lomation

Guthrie doing the second rappel in Lomation.

Heading down to skull arch then up to the Krill route.

This is the same shot as the previous picture, only from the side.

This is the guy who kept us all safe.

The rappel in Krill canyon into the "belly of the whale".

Me rappelling into "Belly of the whale".

Upon completing Krill, we headed to park avenue and did Tier drop. A steep climb, easy route finding and then three rappels, each increasing in size.

The last rappel on tier drop. Park avenue is in the background.

Well another sport to which I am addicted. Canyoneering is amazing, there is no other way to describe it. I love mountain biking because of the scenery, the speed and the adventure, along with the physical workout I get. Canyoneering is just as fun with it's exploring, challenges of route finding or getting up, over or through something coupled with the adrenaline that comes with rappelling. Now guess what Esther wants for her Birthday in June; a harness so she can go...

After completing the three routes, Guthrie and I rode Deadmans Ridge (Part of the Moab Brand trails), a new trail in Moab, on the way out. (What Moab trip could be complete without some biking?) It was only about six miles total so no big deal.

There will be more stories to come I'm sure. We are doing another canyon in May and at least  one in June. Not to mention, kayaking the Little San Rafael in May and a bike trip I'm sure.

Man what a state we live in...

 

The Whole Enchilada

The Whole Enchilada has become Moab Legend. A 27.5 mile long Bike trail that descends 7,000 feet from Burro Pass in the Manti-Lasals, to the Colorado river via Porcupine Rim. The trail changes from High Alpine riding. . .fast quick turns. . .wide open fired road. . .desert technical single track. . .ending with he Porcupine Trail then Single track.

27.5 Bone Jarring, amazing, technical, scenic Miles.

At 4 A.M. Saturday Morning we loaded up the four bikes.

Arriving at 10,000 feet it was 30 degrees at 9 in the Morning and windy.

The ride up is more of a ride/walk. It isn't overly steep, but at around 11,00 feet it is rough. My Brother-in-law, Corey "The Animal" Boren left Pennsylvania at sea level, flew here and within 12 hours was at 11,000 feet. Not highly recommended or healthy. But adventurous!! Thus the nickname "the animal" I spent most of the day trying to keep up.

I had to ride the last few feet, not miles, to the top.

Looking back at the climb.

The Ride down burro is loose, steep and beautiful with various stream crossings. It is hard to believe this is 40 minutes from Moab.

The Aspens were Phenomenal. The trail was perfect because the mountains had received a light amount to rain recently.

This is looking back at Burro pass. Gavin is climbing the single track from Burro up to the Hazzard trail. Which is filled with Quick single track with various man-made gap jumps and bermed turns. One note, this was Gavin's "sasquatch's" third mountain bike ride in many years and the first on a full-suspension and he rocked it. He hit a few trees, ate some dirt, danced with his bike and had problems changing his tire, but for his third time. . .amazing.

The Colors were amazing and the Light was perfect.

This is a picture of the Rim on which you descend. Th trail winds out to and away from this rim for the next 10 miles or so.

"the Animal", Guthrie and Gavin "Sasquatch" standing on the rim overlooking some cool valley.

"The Animal" Riding along the rim, looking back at the Manti-lasals where we started.

Gage

Guthrie

Gavin "Sasquatch"

"The animal" is pointing to the peak by the side of the pass where we started, 3 hours before.

Gavin "Sasquatch"

Guthrie

The overall first time feeling of the ride;

"The animal" this is the most amazing ride I have ever done" - "This is like a sampler ride"

Gavin "Sasquatch" "I liked some parts." - "I can't believe I spent 50 dollars to ride this" (He rented a bike) - "I can't believe people actually ride that. . ."

It was Mine and Guthrie's fifth time, it was amazing but not as eye opening.

After we finished the Whole Enchilada we hit subway for lunch (a tradition). Visited various bike stores, eyeing the new bikes, parts and clothing. Then headed out for ten more miles on the Moab Brand trails

It took us 3 hours and ten minutes of riding to ride the whole enchilada. But a total time of 5 hours because of Lunch and waiting one hour to fix a difficult flat. (It was Gavin's first time using presta tubes and pumps.) Another hour and a half riding ten miles on the Moab Brand trails.

A total of 37.5 miles of riding . We arrived home at 10:30 P.M., not too bad for one day but also not our most mileage.

We love these trips, the scenery is absolutely amazing and the adventure factor is off the charts. Only Biking could you see this much mileage in this amount of time via man-powered travel.

What an amazing state in which we live. People come from the world over to ride these trail and yet within three miles we can be partaking in the single track bliss. If you bike, you need to ride this trail - but be ready for a very difficult, but incredible ride. Miles and miles of rough technical riding. If you don't bike - you are missing out!

For another good explanation, detailed biking and driving directions check out Utah Mountain Biking.com Click on trails - select by region - Moab - Whole Enchilada is at the very bottom