Gooseberry Mesa, Utah - 5/9-5/11

[2wheel_lee]

My gf and I are planning a trip to Gooseberry Mesa from Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11. We may actually plan on leaving Thursday night after work, and drive most or all of the way there. We haven't fully decided yet, but we may either camp on the Mesa, or we may grab a hotel (prices range from about $55-67).

We rode Gooseberry almost a year and a half, but we didn't get to spend much time there, since we were actually on our way to Moab. It was also my gf's second mountain bike ride. Even still, she had a blast, and we even mostly rode trails that were rated as advanced.

If anyone is planning on being out there during that time, or is interested in going, let me know. It's always cool to ride with fellow STR peeps. Our pace is fairly slow, but we'll stop to play on all of the stuff - it's like a bicycle playground!

[RacinJason]

Willie and I want to go sooooooo bad.

Willie has finals. I think I just need to sneak into the bed of your truck and hide out ha ha .

I will be home crying.

[2wheel_lee]

Unfortunately, we forgot to take the camera on the ride with us last time, but I can assure you that my/your VPX had a lot of fun playing on the steeps and drops!

[dstepper]

Utah is excellent, I am heading out to Thunder Mountain, Gooseberry, Little Creek end of this week. Go before it gets too hot. I go out there a few times a year, well worth the drive.

Dean

[RacinJason]

I'm crying already.

You picked the toughest time for us to go.
I can go but it just wouldn't be right for me to go without my partner. I already went to Moab, Park City ,and all over Colorado with out her.

If we only had 2 more weeks it would work.

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Unfortunately, we forgot to take the camera on the ride with us last time, but I can assure you that my/your VPX had a lot of fun playing on the steeps and drops!

[2wheel_lee]

Although I could only get a 10-day forecast on weather.com (to Hurricane, Utah), it looks like at 10 days from now, it should be a high in the low 80s, and low 50s at night.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Utah is excellent, I am heading out to Thunder Mountain, Gooseberry, Little Creek end of this week. Go before it gets too hot. I go out there a few times a year, well worth the drive.

Dean

Three of my favorites!

[Hanzo]

If you go to Little Creek and do the inner loop make sure you either follow a local, have a GPS or a good map. Its very easy to get lost.

Like told us its hard to get your bearings on a couple of those trails. The outer loop is easier to follow the caroms.

Im sure you will have a great time.

[bikerider]

You may also want to try the GEM trail. It's right below the Mesa and is a good intermediate ride. G Mesa is awesome, GEM is more of a single track through the desert, but you can get really good speed.

Have fun, that is one of my favorite places to ride.

[MV Rider]

If you haven't ridden Little Creek Mesa, try to do so. However, before doing so, either get a very good map or talk to a knowledgable guy, like Morgan Harris, one of the creators of Gooseberry Mesa and Little Creek Mesa. Though he is around 62 he is an excellent rider, one of the smoothest I have ever seen. Have a great time!

[Pain Freak]

You're also in the neighborhood of Slickrock Swamp. I love all the riding in this area.

[epicriderat]

Whenever I go out that way, I stay in the little town of Springdale. It sits in the canyon right at the entrance to Zion National Park. Easy access to Gooseberry, Slickrock swamp Trail is a short peddle right out of town. There's a good bike shop called Springdale Cycles, they offer tours for a fair price. It's a very cozy town to hang in. And a lot more scenic than St. George.

Have fun out there.

[dstepper]

I like staying on the Mesas near the trailheads. Throw a tarp on the ground and cowboy it. It seems like when staying in a hotel getting everyone going in the AM is like herding cats. Then all of a sudden it is 9am and we are still 45 minutes from the trailhead. Stay on the Mesa, get up ride over to the windmill, and watch the sunrise over Zion. I hate staying in hotels even the expensive ones.

If you have not rode Gooseberry at night, try it....good stuff. I don't know if I would like Little Creek at night, coming up on a cow in the trail at night would be a little tripy.

Dean

[Danimal]

Steppie, Looks like I be doing my first Gooseberry trip this weekend...
keep an eye open for a couple Yeti 575's.....one white, one turquoise....

I like showers and comfy beds... hotel for me!

[art23rockpile]

Originally Posted by drew12

Steppie, Looks like I be doing my first Gooseberry trip this weekend...
keep an eye open for a couple Yeti 575's.....one white, one turquoise....

I like showers and comfy beds... hotel for me!

Aha! ... I'll be there too, riding a silver 575, in the company of three or more Turners. Hopefully we'll cross paths. From the photos i've seen, the riding in this part of Utah looks awesome!

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by drew12

Steppie, Looks like I be doing my first Gooseberry trip this weekend...
keep an eye open for a couple Yeti 575's.....one white, one turquoise....

I like showers and comfy beds... hotel for me!

We are starting at Thunder Mt Saturday should be on Gooseberry Mesa camping Saturday night. We camp near the bathroom will be in Art's 4 door Ford pickup.

Dean

[danlorek]

aw man, so jealous!

last year i went there on the yearly moto/mtb trip and stayed right on the edge of the mesa in what was the best campsite I've ever seen... serously! I'd say camping there is the only way to go. Watching the mesas in the distance as the sun rised was unbelievable.

[kanga]

Originally Posted by dstepper

I like staying on the Mesas near the trailheads. Throw a tarp on the ground and cowboy it. It seems like when staying in a hotel getting everyone going in the AM is like herding cats. Then all of a sudden it is 9am and we are still 45 minutes from the trailhead. Stay on the Mesa, get up ride over to the windmill, and watch the sunrise over Zion. I hate staying in hotels even the expensive ones.

If you have not rode Gooseberry at night, try it....good stuff. I don't know if I would like Little Creek at night, coming up on a cow in the trail at night would be a little tripy.

Dean

I'm with you on that one. Nothing like falling asleep looking at the stars!