Lots Of rain....Long post be bored!

Not like I would be riding if it wasn’t raining but the fact that it is makes me feel better. This week is ripping fast by as we get ready to head out Saturday on a weeklong trip. There will be no mountain biking on this trip but adventures will be plentiful. I will be with my whole family, but will have plenty of time to get some good quality time with LuAnn which she deserves. This will be our last big trip for a long time and it will be cherished. Nothing will be happening here on the b log for over a week that’s for sure. So enough pictures and reports on bike rides, let’s see some hiking or camping recaps! I did some in Utah but not nearly as much as I would like but what can you expect from a dating man. This trip was up Bell’s Canyon on my first Spring of 2007 in Salt Lake City. The Canyon is a long slit in the mountain that runs steeply just south of Little Cottonwood Canyon which many of you may or not know is where Snowbird and Alta remains. It’s pretty straight for the first few miles then makes a turn to the right where the unknown to me remains. I decided to see what was up there since I had walked up to the little reservoir and had wanted to go further. I was not expecting trails or anything spectacular but low and behold I was amazed what I found. The hike starts right off the main road going up Little Cottonwood Canyon, it’s a nice 15 minute walk up to the first pool of water. From there I found a trail on the other side of the reservoir and it went up so that’s where I was headed. Things were at a mellow incline as it followed a flowing stream some 10 feet wide at times. Then the incline increased and soon I was huffing up a steep rocky old riverbed at a good clip with no relief in sight. It eventually finally gave way to some less steep terrain but only to get good and bad at times. The view was opening into the valley as the more altitude was gained. It was amazing to say the least and just got better and better. By now the water was moving at a good pace and I could hear it in the distance but never getting close enough to see it but I certainly could hear it ripping. Soon I hit a waterfall and couldn’t believe my eyes, it was beautiful, water was tearing over the rocks as I felt the cool moist air hit my face it provided relief on this warm day. I took some photos and had to be off since I had plans to go higher despite feeling a little fatigued. I eventually came upon a level area and I couldn’t believe it, for the first time I was not on an incline which was strange, the trail had diminished and I found myself in lush tall grass that glowed bright in the afternoon sun. The stream ran shortly nearby in a very peaceful calm motion and I couldn’t help but want to just sit down and spend the afternoon in that magical spot but had to press on with the mission. Soon it got steep and the water began to rip again and I came upon yet another big waterfall. This one was taller and bounced from side to side as gravity and the mountain brought it down to earth, it was nothing short of incredible. Here I was on some random canyon on a great warm sunny day I chose to hike. I did not expect to find much but had already stumbled upon two magnificent waterfalls. Some photos were had and a good head dip at it’s base and off higher into the mountain I go. The hike became a boulder field and I really questioned going further into the unknown but loved the thought of the adventure. It was a while of on all fours and navigating a heavy mine field of avalanche torn pines but I did reach a beautiful alpine lake called upper bells reservoir. I could see fish swimming in the crystal clear lake as soon as I arrived and was in awe. I cirque lied in the background of the lake where I sat down and admired it’s beauty for the next 30 minutes. If only I had brought a pole I could have done some fishing. My stay had to come to an end so I did eventually head down and what a long ride down it was. But when I did it was the end of the day and the sun was setting after a long day hiking and that hike to this day has still remained close in my heart. One day I will re live it, when I am back living in Salt Lake!

What a way to start the day, there is nothing like hitting the trail as the sun rises. It’s a mighty good feeling that runs through my veins on these morning rides, really teaches me to appreciate every day as a gift and how blessed my life is and super lucky to have these morning rides on the trail. As I left the house, structures on my western side were glowing in a soft pink and as I looked to the East the first signs that the sun was making its creep into the horizon. I wanted a picture of it but knew I could capture it soon when I got the trail head. So when I did get there the sun was further up than I thought but still got a few good ones. Shot down into the park and decided to do about what I did Saturday in reverse. So on to rock n roll trail or something like that. Lots of good stuff to be had there, a smooth ride down to the waterside and then tech the rest of the way. Now into the open, I think this place has been logged it’s pretty open and you can see trails going every which way and it looks really cool. I hit the mini loop in there the right way I wanted and it made much more sense. Hit the little roller and then made my way to lollipop. Nothing crazy to be had on this trail, got in and out of there pretty quick and learning piece by piece the little trails in between. I Rolled a few steep ones that had my seat post in my chest, which always makes me nervous but got away without dropping it. Saw the big flat rock where us kids use to hangout on our rides and enjoy the greenery. Rode into the lush wide open green that the north side offers and hike a bike up some steep ups that I went down on Saturday and didn’t contemplate how it would be going up them, which was not a big deal. Don’t forget I am out there for the benefit it does to my soul and to help burn calories. I may start to opt out this section since it’s a impossible climb and it really only leads you to a baby head rocky gravel mess of a road. Onto Chimney for another sad showing, first 50 yards I probably touched down 4 times……..was hoping for a better showing but it just wasn’t happening so be it. Really love this trail more and more, lots of room for improvement on my behalf that’s for sure. It was faster I think doing it in other direction, I still haven’t figured out which was is proper but the way I went today I think I will make it the proper way. Onto south pond and then off heading for the exit, extremely great ride!

Amazing stuff huntington

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Off to the parents for the weekend so you know I got straight to bike whoring saturday morning. It was Huntington State Park with the doggy. It had been weeks since he has hit the trail with me but I am sick of worrying about ticks and decided to risk it. I was hoping the sun would be showing but it was a foggy cool morning and it would due. Rode some gravel to get to the goods, that trail is always a great memory since back in my early MTB career. It has changed a bit though, lots of re routes to a few new features to two rollers and a good rock drop to tranny. The dirt was pretty moist and was hooking up nice on the rubbas. Some more gravel and onto the chimney trail I think it's called or something like that, got whooped pretty good. Every time I ride this trail I hope I can do better getting through the tech. It's such a tease with smooth twisties and then a tight corner and wham one almost impossible pile of rocks. Things were very slick and I was forced off my pedals very frequently. Did some serious work on that mother and off on some more gravel, still don't have this place figured out but I usually make it work. Off to the open nice section for some smoothness and then onto the lollipop? Went over the bars which has been a long time, on my way down got hung up on the bike and put my arms out for impact on some jagged rocks and laid completely pinned and could feel terrible pain on my palms. I tried to move and get up but had my arms under my body and couldn't move a single bit and in pain, spent about a full minute under the bike until I could let some of the hand soreness to wear off and work my way up to my feet. Couldn't believe my palms hurt so bad, it made the rest of the ride uncomfortable but are feeling better now. Made my way across a decent log ride on the first try which was nice, and then a decent roller a little later. Took two try's to make it down the last picture, seriously excellent ride gimme moreeeeee!

Huntingtonsss ouch

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Mesh

Pretty gloomy weather out there yesterday, not one of my better days on a bike either. Had a crew of the normal 6 at Mesh and struggled hard to keep up eventually not even seeing any of my fellow riders most the ride, I guess I was slow, seems like I am getting slower every week for some reason. I think I may be opting out on these group rides since If I'm riding alone it's at my own pace and less frustrating holding anyone up. Maybe it's time to see if clip less pedals can speed me up..... Had this gas pocket in my belly too that felt every miserable bump which made riding awfully uncomfortable but it still beats slouching on the couch. Maybe I can make a comeback we shall see. Waaahhh Waaahhhh wahhhh

Gut burn mesh

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Oh yeah, got out on a monday night ride with Pat. We rode grayville and glad we did cause it's always a great ride there! I was feeling terrible, felt like I hadn't rode in weeks and my heart rate was beating crazy and legs were weak... but I chugged along at it and soon into the ride pat was working on an old line while I had to take multiple attempts at a log ride. When I made my way over I noticed a good potential for a roller above it and pat cleared it off and we cleared logs and then Pat tore down it. It was a good long roller, longer than most and plenty of rock but was still very moist from the wet soil that was removed. I got to the top of it and dived in but with too much front brake that sent me off line but was able to correct it in time to avoid the tree, that was fricken close, and on we went. More riding and soon Pat dusted off another old feature that was a steep 6 foot rock, I mean really really steep! It really was a slightly tilted wall lets say. Pat rolled it tentatively with no problem but he was nervous. It took me a good 5 attempts to get courage to make the drop and when I finally did I was pretty pumped to come out of it behind the bars! Off to the farther side of the park and sessioned the dirt jumps. Two good ones, one a standard 6 foot gap and another 10 footer shooting high into the sky. Success with both runs, off to some rocks and finish up the ride.

Do gville

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