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JustSpin · 09-17-2007, 07:06 AM

Hi all,

I'm heading up to Interbike on Sept 25th and figured while I'm up in Vegas I might as well drive the 2 hours to St. George to do Gooseberry Mesa.

I don't feel safe riding a new trail like that on my own and the little riding I've done in St. George & Moab make me realize that sometimes it's really hard to see where the trail is, etc due to the slick rock.

Does anyone know of any riding groups in St. George where I might be able to find someone to ride w/ who is trustworthy?

My alternative is to pay a guide and I'd rather save some $$

Thanks!
Kathy

Burner · 09-17-2007, 07:14 AM

is it only 2 more hours? I am going to vegas that week and was thinking the same thing.

allison · 09-17-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burner

is it only 2 more hours? I am going to vegas that week and was thinking the same thing.

The drive to St. George is pretty quick. I'd definitely say it's around 2 hours, especially at 75MPH (speed limit out there).

Just note that the drive to Gooseberry is a bit longer.

It's TOTALLY worth it, though.

You can stop by a bike shop like Red Rock Cyclery in St. George and pick up a short map, or print up the info from http://www.utahmountainbiking.com They have GREAT info. Driving directions and trail directions.

Gooseberry is amazing!!

dstepper · 09-17-2007, 07:21 AM

Nope first weekend in October will be out there with Epic Riders. It is harder to find the Mesa the first time than following the trails. There is a dirt road that does right down the middle of the trails and...you will not be alone out there. Trails are well marked with dots and the Mesa is not that large.

Now if you where going out to Little Creek I would tell you to get a guide.

JustSpin · 09-17-2007, 03:41 PM

Hey Burner... when were you planning on driving over there? I was thinking of going early on the Thursday the 27th. BTW -- there is a 1 hour time difference from Vegas to Utah.

If I go the guide route, they suggested I leave Vegas at around 5:15am and go directly to the trail head which they estimated to take 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

But if we can synch up our schedules maybe that won't be necessary?

Let me know if you are interested. Maybe we can carpool from Vegas. I was planning on driving back to Vegas that night to crash there and drive back to So Cal the next morning.

tkblazer · 09-17-2007, 03:46 PM

ahh the goose is a dope ride...physically demanding, but good nevertheless

Sprockethead · 09-17-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkblazer

ahh the goose is a dope ride...physically demanding, but good nevertheless

Yo Justin, are you supervising?

epicriderat · 09-18-2007, 08:54 PM

Wish I had the time to ride Gooseberry, I'll be in Vegas for interbike for 2 days, but have to do a quick turn around for home. Re: riding groups, I have used Springdale Cycles in the town of Springdale Utah. It's a neat little(really little)town that sits right at the entrance to Zion National park. Very scenic and some great riding at Slickrock Swamp trail right outside of town and a short drive to Gooseberry or little creek.
Enjoy the ride.

Pain Freak · 09-18-2007, 09:42 PM

I don't think you'll get much help from the bike stores in St George, although both places have some good people there, they don't seem to get over there much ( or so I was told). If you follow the dots, you should be fine, but I did manage to get lost once there and spent 4 hours riding every side of that mesa.

dstepper · 09-18-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

did manage to get lost once there and spent 4 hours riding every side of that mesa.

Go figure.

alank · 09-18-2007, 11:08 PM

Gooseberry is one of my favorite places to ride. I took these pictures there:

http://www.chumbaracing.com/aboutus.shtml

http://www.chumbaracing.com/howtobuy.shtml

DeeZee · 09-19-2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burner

is it only 2 more hours? I am going to vegas that week and was thinking the same thing.

Do it! I just got back from riding there (fourth time). Also if someone has GPS you should ride Little Creek

dstepper · 09-19-2007, 07:32 AM

Little Creek is not as easy to find your way around. I thought I had a GPS route but I can't find it, StJunkie may have one.

Dean

DeeZee · 09-19-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

Little Creek is not as easy to find your way around. I thought I had a GPS route but I can't find it, StJunkie may have one.

Dean

Little Creek is no joke. Every time I have ridden it a local showed us around (Doug Wilson). Unless you have a Garmin etc... don't do it without a guide.

tkblazer · 09-19-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

but I did manage to get lost once there and spent 4 hours riding every side of that mesa.

why am i not surprised mikey....

DeeZee · 09-19-2007, 09:02 AM

Blow off that show and go ride!

stjunkie · 09-19-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Little Creek is no joke. Every time I have ridden it a local showed us around (Doug Wilson). Unless you have a Garmin etc... don't do it without a guide.

The first time I was there I had a GPS and still got lost. It's a lot easier to navigate now with more cairnes and dots.

DeeZee · 09-19-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stjunkie

The first time I was there I had a GPS and still got lost. It's a lot easier to navigate now with more cairnes and dots.

Also you need to know where you are going or you could really get hurt.

What is tough is there is no "high point" you can go to and get a sence of direction.

But I think I like LC a tad better than Gooseberry. In some places there are some cool drawings (forget the name) from native americans

Pain Freak · 09-19-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

Go figure.

Okay Pops, you asked for it

JustSpin · 09-20-2007, 12:03 PM

Thanks for all of the info everyone. I ended up contacting a company called Paragon Climbing that does Rock & Mtn bike guided tours. I used them several years ago for some local St. George rides so they gave me a pretty good rate (or so I hope). $35/hr w/ my own bike. I'm going to stick to Gooseberry Mesa and I'll take lots of pictures and report back to you all

09-17-2007, 07:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
JustSpin Love to ride!	Gooseberry Mesa -- Any Riders out there? Hi all, I'm heading up to Interbike on Sept 25th and figured while I'm up in Vegas I might as well drive the 2 hours to St. George to do Gooseberry Mesa. I don't feel safe riding a new trail like that on my own and the little riding I've done in St. George & Moab make me realize that sometimes it's really hard to see where the trail is, etc due to the slick rock. Does anyone know of any riding groups in St. George where I might be able to find someone to ride w/ who is trustworthy? My alternative is to pay a guide and I'd rather save some $$ Thanks! Kathy

09-17-2007, 07:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
dstepper Over the Hill	Nope first weekend in October will be out there with Epic Riders. It is harder to find the Mesa the first time than following the trails. There is a dirt road that does right down the middle of the trails and...you will not be alone out there. Trails are well marked with dots and the Mesa is not that large. Now if you where going out to Little Creek I would tell you to get a guide. __________________ If I'm not lost or getting bushwacked, the trail was too easy. Prescott Valley Houses The Path

09-18-2007, 08:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
epicriderat Wheels are turning	Gooseberry trip Wish I had the time to ride Gooseberry, I'll be in Vegas for interbike for 2 days, but have to do a quick turn around for home. Re: riding groups, I have used Springdale Cycles in the town of Springdale Utah. It's a neat little(really little)town that sits right at the entrance to Zion National park. Very scenic and some great riding at Slickrock Swamp trail right outside of town and a short drive to Gooseberry or little creek. Enjoy the ride.

09-18-2007, 09:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Pain Freak Directionally Challenged	I don't think you'll get much help from the bike stores in St George, although both places have some good people there, they don't seem to get over there much ( or so I was told). If you follow the dots, you should be fine, but I did manage to get lost once there and spent 4 hours riding every side of that mesa. __________________ "The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew—and live through it." — Doug Bradbury "When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me." — Emo Philips

09-18-2007, 11:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
alank Senior Member	Gooseberry is one of my favorite places to ride. I took these pictures there: http://www.chumbaracing.com/aboutus.shtml http://www.chumbaracing.com/howtobuy.shtml __________________ Check out: www.chumbaracing.com

09-17-2007, 07:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Burner STR Veteran	is it only 2 more hours? I am going to vegas that week and was thinking the same thing.

09-17-2007, 03:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
JustSpin Love to ride!	Hey Burner... when were you planning on driving over there? I was thinking of going early on the Thursday the 27th. BTW -- there is a 1 hour time difference from Vegas to Utah. If I go the guide route, they suggested I leave Vegas at around 5:15am and go directly to the trail head which they estimated to take 1 1/2 - 2 hours. But if we can synch up our schedules maybe that won't be necessary? Let me know if you are interested. Maybe we can carpool from Vegas. I was planning on driving back to Vegas that night to crash there and drive back to So Cal the next morning.

09-17-2007, 03:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
tkblazer Share the Love	ahh the goose is a dope ride...physically demanding, but good nevertheless

09-20-2007, 12:03 PM	#20 (permalink)
JustSpin Love to ride!	Thanks for all of the info everyone. I ended up contacting a company called Paragon Climbing that does Rock & Mtn bike guided tours. I used them several years ago for some local St. George rides so they gave me a pretty good rate (or so I hope). $35/hr w/ my own bike. I'm going to stick to Gooseberry Mesa and I'll take lots of pictures and report back to you all

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