Memorial Day Weekend Cram Session

[mechmann]

I like to maximize our trail exposure on long weekends. Anybody interested in this???

something like:
Friday AM up before the sun, drive to vegas, ride bootleg canyon, drive to Mesquite, sleep
Saturday AM up early, drive to Gooseberry Mesa, ride the Mesa, take a break, ride Jem Trail, drive to Panguitch (my house can occomodate 6 easy (3 bedrooms), more if they don't mind the couch or the floor)
Sunday up early, drive to Brianhead, shuttle Bunker Creek, eat lunch in Panguitch, ride Thunder Mountain, back to my house for a good night's sleep
Monday up early, drive to St. George, ride a quick ride to break up the day, hit up some Rockstar and finish the drive home.

This trip would only require Friday off from work if we do it on Memorial Day weekend.

I figure if we pack right and I get the 2 bike extension for my rack, I can seat 2 more in my Tahoe (i would probably ask for a little gas money). Room cost is low because we only need to get one night at Mesquite (the place we stayed there before was really nice!) and my house is free!

Allison and I did a similar trip a little over a year ago and it was easily one of the best trips ever. The key is to ride every day, and ride as many different trails in different locations as possible.

Is anyone interested?

I am also open to other ride location suggestions using the house in Panguitch as a jumping point (unfortunately Moab is too far to day trip to)

[allison]

Here's a few photos of Bootleg -







Gooseberry Mesa -











JEM -





Bunker Creek -







Thunder Mountain -

[ShinKen]

danngg!! u guys are all over the place!! It must be nice for u both to like the sport like u do!! *cheerSS.... This ride sounds like fun but have to double check on my schedule first.

[cjwally]

Justin - Now that is an epic journey. Nice work with the pictures.

[allison]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

danngg!! u guys are all over the place!! It must be nice for u both to like the sport like u do!! *cheerSS.... This ride sounds like fun but have to double check on my schedule first.

We did a lot of great trips last year! Actually, our first bike-related trip was like 2.5 weeks after we bought bikes We were going to Phoenix to see family and I was, like, "Hey, let's bring the bikes, take an extra day and go to Sedona!" And we spent two days riding there. Then a few months later we went to Bootleg, Gooseberry, and Diamond Valley (by Vegas). In January of 06 we went back to Gooseberry. Then for 4th of July we hit up Brianhead, Thunder Mountain, Crested Butte for 4 days, and Durango. In October last year we went to Moab and Fruita, and hit up Thunder Mountain again. That being said, I had NO vacation left at the end of the year!!

Looks like this year we may end up doing just long weekends. Pretty sure we're hitting up Downieville and Cannell Plunge. I'd like to check out Tahoe while we're in Downieville. We'll definitely be doing Mammoth a few times as well

This trip would be good, even if we all decided to extend it slightly. The trails are a blast. They are kind of smashed in there, though. But, if you wanna hit 'em all up in a short weekend that's the only way to do it.

For additional info on the trails in Utah (Gooseberry Mesa, Thunder Mountain, JEM) check out Utah Mountain Biking It's a GREAT resource!!

[mechmann]

it is a blast!!! the trails that i listed are some of the best in the SW (Fruita and CB are too far to do on this short of a trip)

i am totally up for discussion on the St George trail choice as Allison and I have never ridden there. If everybody agrees, we could skip St. George and hit up the Cowboy Trails or something in Blue Diamond (outside Vegas on west side)

[dstepper]

This interests me, the itinerary maybe a little busy but I would be down for the Bunker Creek, Thunder Mountain part with maybe a little Navajo Lake or more Brianhead stuff. I like the altitude stuff more than desert. Desert starts getting a little hot by that time of year.

Will the top of Bunker Creek be ridable...it is 11,000ft.

Dean

[mechmann]

might be ridable, might not. if it is not, there are other trail options in the area that we can do.

as for the busy itinerary, that is how we roll.

it is pretty much our motto to pack as much riding into a trip as humanly possible, while spending as little money as possible. the only hard part is being a driver, passengers get it easy...

there is a KOA in panguitch on the south end of town. if you insist on sleeping in a tent, you could pitch one somewhere on my 10 acres, no promise that the cows won't wake you up though. the KOA is nice, even has WiFi for the net junkies like allison.

[allison]

Originally Posted by mechmann

might be ridable, might not. if it is not, there are other trail options in the area that we can do.

there is a KOA in panguitch on the south end of town. if you insist on sleeping in a tent, you could pitch one somewhere on my 10 acres, no promise that the cows won't wake you up though. the KOA is nice, even has WiFi for the net junkies like allison.

Brianhead is weather dependent. The base depth is currently at 4.5 ft. Temps are around 45 during the day.

We all know Keith will want to stay at the KOA so he can log his rides every day

[tkblazer]

ok i changed my status, but will see how things go once we get closer... otherwise i'm in there like swimwear

[sheclimbs]

Originally Posted by dstepper

This interests me, the itinerary maybe a little busy but I would be down for the Bunker Creek, Thunder Mountain part with maybe a little Navajo Lake or more Brianhead stuff. I like the altitude stuff more than desert. Desert starts getting a little hot by that time of year.

Will the top of Bunker Creek be ridable...it is 11,000ft.

Dean

I agree, sounds like a great trip. I'd probably skip bootleg we've been to Brianhead over 4th of July and there was still a little snow on the ground but that was a few years back

[allison]

Originally Posted by sheclimbs

I agree, sounds like a great trip. like the camping idea and I'd probably skip bootleg we've been to Brianhead over 4th of July and there was still a little snow on the ground but that was a few years back

You'd be okay on the XC trails out there, I think. We rode there when I was really new to mountain biking. I just went really slow

We rode Brianhead on July 1 last year and while there was a bit of snow, it was fine. They were having a race up there. But, it does change from year to year. There are a few other trails nearby, and there are plenty in St. George!

[sheclimbs]

I'm sure I can handle the xc stuff but the downhill has always sounded pretty nasty, I may not have as much time off as the rest of you so however things pan out maybe I could catch up with everyone on Saturday...whatever plan you end up with it's sure to be a great adventure

[Ladd Jasper]

Sounds like a you have a great trip planned. I was in so. Utah last October, and enjoyed some of the finest riding I've ever experienced--and didn't even venture past Hurricane.

Bunker Creek and Thunder Mtn. look just fantastic. I haven't ridden in the Brianhead area, but understand the good stuff abounds.

I'd really like to join you on this, but getting Monday off might be an issue. If so, could possibly make it for 3 of the 4 days, and adjust my schedule accordingly. We'll see.

If I make it or not, I'd seriously recommend Little Creek Mesa for the Monday "break up the day" ride. Not too difficult, really, just an ideal way to wind up a good weekend. Maybe 3-4 hrs. at a reasonable pace, with a couple areas to stop and play.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Ladd Jasper

Sounds like a you have a great trip planned. I was in so. Utah last October, and enjoyed some of the finest riding I've ever experienced--and didn't even venture past Hurricane.

Bunker Creek and Thunder Mtn. look just fantastic. I haven't ridden in the Brianhead area, but understand the good stuff abounds.

I'd really like to join you on this, but getting Monday off might be an issue. If so, could possibly make it for 3 of the 4 days, and adjust my schedule accordingly. We'll see.

If I make it or not, I'd seriously recommend Little Creek Mesa for the Monday "break up the day" ride. Not too difficult, really, just an ideal way to wind up a good weekend. Maybe 3-4 hrs. at a reasonable pace, with a couple areas to stop and play.

Sweet, thanks for the recommendation! I guess that's the benefit of a big company; we do get paid holidays

I just hope that Brianhead is clear this early in the year. Bunker Creek isn't a long ride, but the descent in the middle is SO fun! I don't have any photos of it at all

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by allison

Sweet, thanks for the recommendation! I guess that's the benefit of a big company; we do get paid holidays

I just hope that Brianhead is clear this early in the year. Bunker Creek isn't a long ride, but the descent in the middle is SO fun! I don't have any photos of it at all

I hope Bunker is ridable to, it is the main attraction for me. But there again I would be happy riding Thunder Mt a couple of times. It is way up there on my favorite rides list.

Dean

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by allison

I just hope that Brianhead is clear this early in the year. Bunker Creek isn't a long ride, but the descent in the middle is SO fun! I don't have any photos of it at all

Those miles just go by way to fast don't they???

Has anyone ridden Dark Hollow? Didn't get a chance to ride that last year.

Photo's of Bunker and I think Dark Hollow courtsey of Team Sanchez

[sauce]

I'm probably in ... but I don't get done with UCLA 'till 3pm. So, I'll join the Saturday and on fun!

[mechmann]

sweet sauce...

this trip is gonna be a freaking blast!


i am actually going to be heading up to my house in utah the weekend before to do some cursory cleaning and turn on the water (it has been shut down all winter). that way we won't have as many spider webs and stuff when we show up.

[mtbcat]

Originally Posted by Chaos

Those miles just go by way to fast don't they???

Has anyone ridden Dark Hollow? Didn't get a chance to ride that last year.

Photo's of Bunker and I think Dark Hollow courtsey of Team Sanchez

I recomend you ride both in one day there both sweet. for dark hollow you can stay on single track to the boyscout camp and back to brian head otherwise you end up on fireroad at the end of some other town?