Overview
Timpanogos and Richfield || Brian Head || Grafton DH and Guacamole || Thunder Mt and VRRT || Little Creek and Page Rim Trail || Santa Fe || White Pocket || Gooseberry Mesa || Ely, Nevada
Yet another road trip to Utah had us revisit the high country while clear of snow and hopefully for some stellar Utah Fall Colours. In Oct 2021 on our hiking trip we drove the Alpine Scenic Hwy from American Fork to Hwy 189. This is often referred to as American Fork. We had awesome Fall Colours on this trip and were hoping to get the same, but Fall was late in Utah this year. We rode some of the trails we hiked and more. Gary joined us since he rides here often, even in the winter when they groom the roads and trails for snow biking! We camped at Timpooneke Campground, site 24. Nice place to camp!
After this we drove to Richfield to meet the Suttons, Kent Robertson and Levi from Ely Nevada to shuttle the Complete Spinal Tap. We camped at the KOA Richfield for convenience. The area near the bike trail where we camped in May was better IMO.
From Richfield we drove about two hours to Panguitch Lake in Brian Head. There is NOTHING open after the September long weekend in this area since it could snow. There is also VERY LITTLE cell service. We found a great spot off rd 044 where there is a field where people camp. The Burger Barn had their WIFI on so you could get some WIFI here. Wade and Allison parked their RV at the Aspen Cove Resort, which had WIFI, but was closed but allowed people to stay there. The next day we arranged to shuttle the three main trails there. Blowhard, Bunker and Dark Hollow.
The weather turned unsettled so we bailed on the camping and went to Cedar City to stay at Kent’s place. Cedar City is a pretty central location to ride in this area. In the morning Kent shuttled us up to the C trail which was covered in snow in May when we rode here. Later that day we drove to Grafton Mesa to ride the Grafton DH, then the Guacamole system. Cedar City has some pretty good restaurants too.
Since we were in Southern Utah I had to ride my favourite trail – Thunder Mt. It had been awhile for Kent and he was glad he rode it. We also checked out the Virgin River Rim Trail which was mediocre. Too bad, so much potential. The ride around Navajo Lake was good and we did have some good fall colours.
The next day we rode Little Creek Mesa. From here we drove to Page Arizona hoping to hike Antelope Canyon but it rained so our hike was cancelled. We also did a ride on the Page Rim Trail and did some short hikes near Glen Canyon Dam.
After this we were going to camp at Ancient Aspen Grove Campground at Navajo National Monument but it rained… So we stayed in a nice hotel, The Desert Rose Resort and Cabins, in Bluff. The next day we did a drive up the Moki Dugway and Valley of the Gods road. We did this instead of going into Monument Valley. Next time stop at Mexican Hat Rock to see even more cool rock formations.
From there we headed to Santa Fe to ride with our friend Carl. On the way we rode Sand Canyon trails. From there we drove to Bloomfield where we camped at the Moore’s RV Park and Campground. DO NOT stay at Florez, it smells of gas.
From here we drove to Santa Fe to check out the trails our friend Carl has been working on. Unfortunately we didn’t ride much as it rained, UGH. They’re creating a really nice network there that is worth visiting if you are in the area!
When we left Santa Fe we drove west through Valle Grande, and old ancient Caldera. We camped at the Navajo National Monument Sunset Loop of the Ancient Aspen Grove Campground. Really nice campground. There is cell surface at this loop, not the Canyon View Loop.
From here we drove through Page to hike Buckskin Gulch. This is also the trailhead to the WAVE which is really difficult to get a permit for. BUT we did drive to White Pocket which was amazing and requires a 4X4 with high clearance to get to so it’s less busy. Apparently it still is very busy on the weekends. It would be easier to drive here from the South with an RV for part of the way, then the North part of the road which is more eroded and narrower. Make sure you take the Pine Tree road to Pine Tree Pocket Ranch unless you have the abilty to dig yourself out of sand.
After White Pocket we drove South on House Rock Road to Jacob Lake and back to Gooseberry to ride.
We then stopped again near Cedar City to check out the Three Peaks trail network. We camped at Rocky Peak campground which requires a reservation. A nicer campground closer to Iron Hills Trails would be Pyramid Ridge Campground. Which also requires a reservation.
After this ride we hit our final destination which was Ely Nevada to see what Kent had going on!
We drove straight back to Vancouver and discovered that its easy to camp with your RTT if you pull into an RV site late and leave early. Easier then a hotel as we don’t have to move our bikes and stuff. On the way down we camped at Trail Break RV Park and Campground near Glenns Ferry. It was nice but close to the Interstate. Next time if we camp here best to go to the State Park further down the road. On the way back we stayed at Country Corners RV Park, Caldwell, Idaho.