Cottonwood Creek to Fifth water

Two incredible long mountain rides yesterday, I started off my first ride in a very unique location up spanish fork canyon and where I started is known as three forks. This is a very popular spot for people hiking the water falls and hot springs, luckily my ride starts just one canyon over from it named cottonwood creek. The air was very very cool which felt amazing for mid august. The canyon was a little dark and creepy but my mind was focused on single track. It was a comfy climb some 6 miles later that opened up in large smooth mountains that line a healthy bear populated strawberry reservoir. I then rode some pavement to the second water trail where climbing yet again began to push me to my limits as I made my way into the alpine aspens trees. They are usually my favorite scenery when riding they just look really cool. Then things got ugly as I traversed a hillside and hiked a bike for a long time. Then when I reached the level alpine forest I had yet another amazing taste of scenery. Then that mother went down steep and fast to leave me at third water where I hesitated to cheat and go down it but I decided to continue up mountain for yet another hike a bike. These trails are frequented more by dirt bikes than bikes so they were pretty tough climbs that took a lot of my energy out of me. By the time I made it up to the top of another mountain I was descending through very thick overgrown single track that was a great downhill which lead me to fourth water. Now the goal was to make it to fifth water but I was low on energy and was suposed to be back at the house at 11 and it was nearing 11. So I headed downhill to catch a great long run. This trail was a little rough in patches because it did not receive much use. None the less it was a fun kick butt downhill that lead me to the paved road and I rode over to fifth water and descended. What a great unique mis of trails I was riding. Fifth water was rocky, steep, lined with red sand in points and a very good time. I arrived to the hot pots and got all ready to jump in and as I walked in I felt immediate burning. That sucker must have been 130 degrees and I didn't think to check the temperature since last time I was in the water was great. So to my disappointment I was unable to relax in the natural hot tubs the earth has made so I was forced to head down into some more great downhill. After a while which seemed never ending, I arrived back to the car after a long 4 hours of riding. The ride tapped out at 20.2 miles and 3769 feet of climbing which is probably most I have done and I had 3570 feet of downhill. I don't think you could find a ride in CT that can do that in four hours........another incredible trail to start my incredible day.

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Corner Canyon.....Terrible times....

This riding is too good to be true! It has been over a year since I have set foot in corner canyon and it has been a year too long. I woke up about 5:45 and still was unsure of where to pedal today with so many options. I decided to go ride the corner canyon trails and get in a new trail I have not yet ridden. I had a 40 minute ride up to Salt Lake where I got off the highway and into draper which is about as far south as salt lake county gets. Got the bike out and put it together and ecstatic to be riding again today! I began to pedal up the little canyon in the cool shade with a nice breeze flowing through the ravine, not a care in the world as I was about to ride yet another spectacular trail. I was heading uphill on some wide single track in and out of short treed forests, the dirt was begining to be moondust but still provided great traction for my uphill ascent. I then shot out onto a dirt road and began climbing until I hit clarks which had me twisting and winding up the canyons until I reached the top of the trail where I usually start riding downhill. I had found out about a road that leads up to a trail called Jacobs ladder which added some 800 feet of more downhill so of course I was game. With legs strong I pedaled up the double track with ease and over one hill after another the views got even better! By now I could see clearly into Salt Lake and Utah Valley for miles. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming that this was really this good! I evenetually with some navigating found my way to the top of Jacobs ladder where I celebrated my climbing victory. Took in the views and found my trail I would be taking downhill for my 1800Ft FOOT DESCENT! So down I went and man it was so good, it had some steep loose stuff that actually gave me somewhat of a challenge, the brakes were stinking from all the work they were doing but were still performing great. Hit some switchbacks and was flying down mountain quite quickly. Soon I was at the top of Ghost Falls trail where I then dropped another 1,000 feet into downhill greatness. I was cooking through the woods and everything was feeling great including the bike. I could not believe at the speed I was going down mountain that I had not yet been out of trail but it just kept being fed to me. Too soon I arrived back to the car and was amazed at the great ride I just had as I looked up thanking the mountain for getting me down safely. Don't know if time will provide for second ride today but Monday will not disappoint.

Corner canyon amazingness

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