Thanksgiving: No Turkey but I've got a Pumpkin ;)

[Gerst]

This is my first attempt at a "ride report." Hope you enjoy the pics as I'm not one for words. Monday the boss tells me he can get me Wednesday off work if I want. A five day weekend, sure why not! It's not enough time to go see the family and winter hasn't set in yet so I may as well ride.

Day 1: I didn't take many pics as I left late and just wanted to get to camp.

After a few hours I turn off pavement



I like the sound of this



I'm getting poor gas mileage, I wonder if this has anything to do with it?



The scenery



My ride



That's it for day 1

[redog1]

but the spirit of adventure. I like it.

[Gerst]

Day 2: I liked camp so much I decided to stay, need to resupply.

On the way to the store I passed these horses, wild?





Fast road!!!



Made it back to camp, resupplied.



I went on a hike to see what I could see and did i see! (this made me a little weary)





These were small, about the size of the tip of your thumb. Can anyone tell me what they are?



These pics aren't the best. Pretty sure this is a deer, what the first track was stalking?



Someone over ate! (it is Thanksgiving Day after all)



Here's the wash I hiked up



Found this random fire pit, I'm no where near anything



Ahh, trash in the backcountry



Looking at that shadow, it's time to head back to camp.



Made it back, watched a nice sunset, forgot to grab the camera until the last minute.



That's it for day 2, I'll update tomorrow if time allows....

[skidxr]

Your lucky !!! Those were Chupacabra tracks for sure !!!


must be nice to have 5 days off work to Jolly Ride around...

[Pantah]

A solitary man in a solitary world. I'm in!

[Gerst]

Originally Posted by skidxr

Your lucky !!! Those were Chupacabra tracks for sure !!!

I may be short and I may be hairy but luckily I'm no goat!



pics loaded, hope to update tonight.....

[DADODIRT]

I was keeping an eye open for you.
Waiting to see the rest of the pics....

[Gerst]

Originally Posted by DADODIRT

I was keeping an eye open for you.
Waiting to see the rest of the pics....

Sorry I missed y'all. How was the ride? Weather was perfect! Pics?

[DADODIRT]

Originally Posted by Gerst

Sorry I missed y'all. How was the ride? Weather was perfect! Pics?

I got two days of riding and a nice night of camping. Did some half day loops out of camp with a nice lunch break at camp. Not many pics. Just ridin atv/jeep trails with the KLX.
Let me know next time you plan a camp/ride.

[MelonMan]

I taught on the Navajo Reservation just south and west of you. These pics remind me of my weekend excursions into the wilds. The night skies were spectacular and the silence was amazing. Nice pics. I look forward to a Spring ride to Chaco Canyon in New Mexico in April or May.

[Gerst]

I've been working too much!

Day 3:

Some pics on the way out of Comb Wash via Snow Flats road







The plan is to head down this road to Lake Powell and camp (50ish miles), take another route out (50ish miles) and go straight to get fuel. I'll need it....





There was a lot of this. Some was deep and super soft, the front tire would hit and it felt like I'd grabbed the front brake then a huge cloud of dust would explode that was like talcum powder. Definitely not the sand I'm used to.





This was the most difficult spot of the whole trip. I've convinced myself that my road is not going to get me to the lake. I'm out of the main drainage and the road appears to go up a side canyon. According to the GPS I'm only a few miles from the lake. I'm thinking that this road has long been closed and the side canyon I'm heading up is a side road that's on my map and dead ends. Fuel is closer and absolute if I push on and make it but not so if I have to backtrack. I REALLY want to push on, I REALLY want to make it through, I REALLY want to camp at the lake. I eat lunch and debate myself .

The fact win: If I go as little as 20 miles more and have to turnaround I may not make it to fuel, forget that I'm not even sure there IS fuel where I'm going. After crossing the creek bed a few miles ago I have seen zero tracks in the dirt. This road has just been graded and I'm the first on this section. I HATE in and out rides I want a loop! Oh well back I go.



Here's an example of the freshly graded road.

[DADODIRT]

Snow Flats Road is kinda fun, except for those sandy washes. I took a digger with the 950 somewhere on that stretch.

[skidxr]

Were you practicing your slalom technique ?

[Gerst]

Day 3 continued:

This was a welcome sign! They had fuel and that's it, pay at the pump, store is closed for the season



Kicking up dust on the pavement.



Before the sun went behind this it was slow riding. Straight into the sun, the road was barely visible.



Decided to camp here





Guess the water's down







Enjoyed this and some Captain's till late into the evening then called it a day

[Gerst]

Day 4:

I found this "short cut." I hope it takes me where I need to go and takes forever! The sign said it's the Mormon Trail, all I can say is the Mormons know how to make a dual sport trail!













The Mormon Trail led to an access for the Manti La Sal national forest







My pic doesn't do the overlook justice



I went into Blanding for food, fuel and refreshments Turns out Blanding is a "dry" town, no beer! After some research I found a place south of town that sold beer, not much of a selection, better than nothing and I haven't had a Bud product in years (now I remember why).

Set up camp on this nice overlook and "enjoyed" my Bud Light



End of Day 4