Ladd Jasper
Full speed, half blind
If interested in the story so far, check out Part 1. If not, read on.
Sunday I was on my own. I’d gotten the bike into the shop the previous afternoon, and with some new cable strung the thing was back to shifting like a champ. The three out-of-towners had wanted to ride Little Creek Mesa Friday afternoon, but with no local guide available we’d been discouraged from attempting it as there is plenty of opportunity to get very lost--both on the dirt roads out there and on the trails themselves--and so settled for Slickrock Swamp that day instead. I’d already decided Sunday was the day I’d give it a shot anyway, knowing it would be my last opportunity this trip.
Little Creek Mesa from Gooseberry Mesa:
At the bike shop I’d picked up a trail map and gotten some verbal directions from the owner. Probably just enough info. to get into serious trouble, I figured, but was also assured there was cell service out there in case of overconfidence. Once off road, I felt I was making all the right turns, but my 2 mph pace and the map wrapped around my face gave me away as a first-timer. A truck pulled up next to me at one point, and the Cannondale in the back had me feeling pretty confident I was on the right track. When the driver asked if I was heading to Little Creek, I said “you tell me.” He laughed and said I was, and offered to lead me the rest of the way in. Morgan Harris was his name, and according to the license plate his wife bought him for his 61st birthday, he was definitely a local.
I tagged along with him on the trail for about a mile, until he chose to take a shorter loop due to time constraints. He directed me to the large loop that takes riders to the far end of the mesa, and assured me that when the trail itself was not visible the route was fairly well marked with rock cairns.
This surprised me, as I understand the area is still in the review process for being fully recognized as a bike route. Seems the BLM is not thrilled with the cairns (and some painted route marks), but they apparently let them be since people are currently allowed to ride there, and one could quickly and easily lose their way on the large expanses of slickrock.
So I set off alone, and with few detours was able to pick out the route with relative ease. The ride was a mellower version of Gooseberry, but at the same time a little more wild and less traveled, which really appealed to me.
Along the edge of Little Creek Mesa, end of Gooseberry in middle distance:
Gratuitous but requisite bike shot:
There were a couple demanding places however, such as the Bridge of Consequence (so named on MTBR), which I rode a small, pucker-inducing section of, and the slightly technical Waterfall, which was quite fun.
Waterfall, from top to middle section:
Waterfall from bottom:
Ledges, drops, and rolls everywhere:
One of the finest rides I've taken on a bicycle, no doubt about it. Was actually kind of bummed when I came back upon my truck. O.K., so I was pretty beat and really hungry, but still...
Eventually made my way back to the highway and St. George, and after some grub and a quick nap I headed back out for an afternoon spin on some local trails known as Church Rocks.
Basically it was about 4 miles in to ride a 2 mile loop, then those same 4 miles back out. I'd heard good things about the area, so am pretty sure I didn't take the best route. It wasn't bad, really, just a bit mild for my taste.
Then again, the sun was low, it was getting late, and I'd had a pretty good day already--maybe this was the perfect way to wrap it up after all.
Took off early Monday to start the long drive home, and was debating taking the detour to Bootleg Canyon all the way from the Utah border to the outskirts of Vegas. When I found myself merging onto the 93/95 transition it seemed I’d made up my mind.
Was my first time to Bootleg, and I would’ve liked a guide here as well. Not being familiar with the area, I confined myself to the front side trails and never managed to get to the top.
That worked out for the best, I think, as riding the previous three days had finally caught up to me, and a shorter ride was about all I could put together anyway. Did a few quick loops and hit the small stunt area a couple times, then called it a day.
Definitely want to check this place out in more depth and with fresher legs, I know there’s so much more to it.
Was on the road home by 10:00am and scheming the whole way as to how I could swing another trip back in the very near future.
Still working on it.
Sunday I was on my own. I’d gotten the bike into the shop the previous afternoon, and with some new cable strung the thing was back to shifting like a champ. The three out-of-towners had wanted to ride Little Creek Mesa Friday afternoon, but with no local guide available we’d been discouraged from attempting it as there is plenty of opportunity to get very lost--both on the dirt roads out there and on the trails themselves--and so settled for Slickrock Swamp that day instead. I’d already decided Sunday was the day I’d give it a shot anyway, knowing it would be my last opportunity this trip.
Little Creek Mesa from Gooseberry Mesa:
At the bike shop I’d picked up a trail map and gotten some verbal directions from the owner. Probably just enough info. to get into serious trouble, I figured, but was also assured there was cell service out there in case of overconfidence. Once off road, I felt I was making all the right turns, but my 2 mph pace and the map wrapped around my face gave me away as a first-timer. A truck pulled up next to me at one point, and the Cannondale in the back had me feeling pretty confident I was on the right track. When the driver asked if I was heading to Little Creek, I said “you tell me.” He laughed and said I was, and offered to lead me the rest of the way in. Morgan Harris was his name, and according to the license plate his wife bought him for his 61st birthday, he was definitely a local.
I tagged along with him on the trail for about a mile, until he chose to take a shorter loop due to time constraints. He directed me to the large loop that takes riders to the far end of the mesa, and assured me that when the trail itself was not visible the route was fairly well marked with rock cairns.
This surprised me, as I understand the area is still in the review process for being fully recognized as a bike route. Seems the BLM is not thrilled with the cairns (and some painted route marks), but they apparently let them be since people are currently allowed to ride there, and one could quickly and easily lose their way on the large expanses of slickrock.
So I set off alone, and with few detours was able to pick out the route with relative ease. The ride was a mellower version of Gooseberry, but at the same time a little more wild and less traveled, which really appealed to me.
Along the edge of Little Creek Mesa, end of Gooseberry in middle distance:
Gratuitous but requisite bike shot:
There were a couple demanding places however, such as the Bridge of Consequence (so named on MTBR), which I rode a small, pucker-inducing section of, and the slightly technical Waterfall, which was quite fun.
Waterfall, from top to middle section:
Waterfall from bottom:
Ledges, drops, and rolls everywhere:
One of the finest rides I've taken on a bicycle, no doubt about it. Was actually kind of bummed when I came back upon my truck. O.K., so I was pretty beat and really hungry, but still...
Eventually made my way back to the highway and St. George, and after some grub and a quick nap I headed back out for an afternoon spin on some local trails known as Church Rocks.
Basically it was about 4 miles in to ride a 2 mile loop, then those same 4 miles back out. I'd heard good things about the area, so am pretty sure I didn't take the best route. It wasn't bad, really, just a bit mild for my taste.
Then again, the sun was low, it was getting late, and I'd had a pretty good day already--maybe this was the perfect way to wrap it up after all.
Took off early Monday to start the long drive home, and was debating taking the detour to Bootleg Canyon all the way from the Utah border to the outskirts of Vegas. When I found myself merging onto the 93/95 transition it seemed I’d made up my mind.
Was my first time to Bootleg, and I would’ve liked a guide here as well. Not being familiar with the area, I confined myself to the front side trails and never managed to get to the top.
That worked out for the best, I think, as riding the previous three days had finally caught up to me, and a shorter ride was about all I could put together anyway. Did a few quick loops and hit the small stunt area a couple times, then called it a day.
Definitely want to check this place out in more depth and with fresher legs, I know there’s so much more to it.
Was on the road home by 10:00am and scheming the whole way as to how I could swing another trip back in the very near future.
Still working on it.
