RR: Thunder Mountain Utah

[dstepper]

Scott, Mike, Gab and I spent three days riding Gooseberry, Little Creek, and Slickrock Swap. On the forth day they went back to SoCal and I continued on through Zion to Bryce Canyon. Dell just gave a excellent RR on these trails so I will pass on the RR. I do have a ton of pictures, if one of my fellow riders starts a RR, I will add photos.

Thunder Mountain is amazing, it is my new favorite ride. It was 28 degrees out at 7am and I it never got over 35 on the whole ride. Some snow on the trail, so it was good that it stayed cold or else the trail would have been muddy in places. Loop is a little over 14 miles and maybe 3,000 ft climbing, high point 8200 ft. Nearly half of the ride is on a paved bike path and gravel fire road. It would be much better to shuttle and get rid of the pavement and fireroad.

I like to ride in places that have a different feel to them...this ride is other worldly. Feels like no other area I have riden in...put it on your must do list.

Note: Cell phone reception most of the ride...Cingular

[dstepper]

Had to post this one pic of Scott. He took and cleared the hard line on this section of Slickrock Swap. There are much easier lines but he came down the drop from the top. Very impresive Scott.

[LBmtb]

Sweet photos, Dean! That shot of the singletrack alongside of the mountain is breathtaking. Did you hunt any of those buffalo Oregon Trail style?

[dirttorpeedo]

very very nice pics dean,wish i coodda been there myself.

[gurp13]

Wow. Amazing scenery. That's why I love mountain biking. Thanks for those pics. I am now inspired to get out there next time with you guys (if I can). Awesome. It looks liek freaking Disneyland.

[Pain Freak]

Better then Disneyland and Magic Mountain combined.

[Geronimo]

Wow, heaven is on earth. Can't wait to get out to Utah. Great pics, more please.

[dstepper]

[quote=El more please.[/quote]

Don't ask unless you mean it. I have alot of pictures.

Yes everyone needs to get to Southern Utah...outstanding riding and scenery. To me a (Mt. Elden) Flagstaff, (North Rim Grand Canyon) Rainbow Rim Trail and (Bryce Canyon) Thunder Mountain summer trip would be bliss. Looking at the trail maps there is alot to explore in the Bryce Canyon Area.

Dean

[gurp13]

Ohmigawd, dude, stop it!!! Those pics are killer! And here I thought SART and Strawberry Peak was beautiful. Kinda, but not like that. Dang! Luckeee!

[VTVic]

Nice pictures Dean. One day I'll tag along...

[Pain Freak]

VTVic, this ride was no better then Cannell. (pysch).

You like everyone else here would have loved it. I didn't make a rr because I don't have a camera that works, so I was waiting on the old guy to post them up and then I'd just tag along like a good younger brother should do.
ST Junkie, myself and Airgabe started out Thursday night and this was probably a mistake as it took over an hour just to go a few miles up the 15 due to the construction. But after that it was pure good times. We got to our room at 4 am and went to sleep, so the next morning we were somewhat groggy (at least I was) and went to Slickrock Swamp. This was my first time here and I absolutely loved it. Maybe not as tech as Gooseberry, but what a great way to ease in to it. The stuff over here is perfect for people wanting to hone their skills and if you got the cajones there are stunts galore all over the place. STJunkie spent so much time in the air jumping off shit, I think he had to apply for a pilots liscense. There is no real sustained climbs, but it's a lot of up and down.With a lot of step ups and rocks to manuver through. I was really happy with the stuff I was able to do. I spent most my time riding ST's wheel, so I got a lot of good pointers and just followed his lead. I even watched the Deano on a couple things out there, even Dean stepped it up some. Next day we headed over to the Goose. We did see Morgan there (one of the brothers who is credited with helping to mark out the trail).This was probably my best day. We could have got an earlier start, but with all the riding we got done, it was still a very good day. The trailhead had more cars in it then I've ever seen before. A lot of people, but we didn't see that many out on the trail. I remember most of the difficult parts from last year and that helps to know what's coming up. I was having a blast as we were taking our time and I attempted more things then I normally would have because of having fresh legs. I highly recommend taking your time out here and don't rush it. The views are spectacular and the air is clear and clean. Riding on the edge of the mesa is always a highlight with a pucker factor somewhere around an eight in some places. But overall the ride is just a bunch of fun playing follow the leader. This place will sharpen your skills like no other. We also did Little Creek, which was just as fun as the other two, but slightly more xc. There is nothing there that won't put a smile on your face. Everytime I looked at Dean he had a grin on his face from ear to ear. In fact I think we all did, but Dean was the most obvious. What a great getaway. I can never get enough of UT. Sorry folks, I'm hoping to get a camera for Christmas.

[dstepper]

Nice report and yes I did enjoy myself. Here is a picture of Morgan that Mike mentioned above.

[stjunkie]

Not much I can add to Mike's RR. After we rode Slickrock Swamp loop both directions the first day, we went to the bottom of JEM trail and did another ride. My camera was working on and off throughout the weekend so some pics came out funny and I only got one pic at Gooseberry before it died. I always say that no matter what skill level you're at, you always come back home a better rider after the Zion stuff. And it held true for everyone after this trip. The pic Dean has of me coming down the shoot at swamp scared the crap out of me. I'm glad I took the big bike. On with the pics.

Cruising the Swamp trail


Mike and his dots


More Rock


The Virgin River from JEM trail


More JEM


My only pic at Goose


Littlecreek Mesa


Manny, Moe and Jack or Curly, Moe and Larry-you decide


STIL


Staged pic


A climb with dirt


These are from Slickrock Swamp the last day. My camera was sorta working.
Spy photo of an un-named person trying to poach Zion-the fence was too high


View of Rockville


View from the other direction


Dean and Gabe avoiding the cacti


Dean at the "Swamp"


Mike and Gabe on the last rockgarden

[dstepper]

Scott, nice pics. Why did you not post any pictures of me getting major air? or dropping any of those knarly chutes?

[Pain Freak]

Yeah Scott, why not?

[stjunkie]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Scott, nice pics. Why did you not post any pictures of me getting major air? or dropping any of those knarly chutes?

You were too far ahead of me when you were busting those out.

[RidetheRAAM4]

I am actually making my second trip out to southern utah this january. Went last year and rode some local st george trail which i dont remember the name of and rode gooseberry and took and amazing adventure in zion down through mystery canyon.

This january coming up I am looking to hit 4 more trails. Don't know which ones though, my uncle takes me around because he lives there and just rides practically all week.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by stjunkie

You were too far ahead of me when you were busting those out.

You had your opertunity to take a shot at me, but no...always the gentleman..THX.