Southwest Utah: Dual Sport Riding from St. George

[ringokelly]

Originally Posted by Mr Head

Someday I will have time to get over to that overlook. OK, near that overlook. It will take a great deal of effort on my part to overcome my thing about heights to get onto that overlook.

Great stuff.

RRR took me out there and I can attest, that overlook will make your groin suck up! Pretty dang high! Don't slip.....

[notsofasteddie]

OK, I just gotta say that picture of your dad's of the sunrise at Toroweap is one of the best shots from that spot I have ever seen, and living around this part of the country for over 30 years, I've seen a bunch. (And your pictures are always way above par also - you're sure no slouch).

Also, thanks for the picture of the Page Ranch House. The Robert Richey (Dan Page's grandfather) is my great-great-grandfather. My mom (now 95 and close to the end of her time here) and her siblings used to tell the story of how they stopped at the Page Ranch on their move from near Monroe, Utah to Ruth, Nevada in about 1926 (her uncle, her mom, her sister and three brothers and all their belongings in one old car - real Grapes of Wrath type stuff).

That day I PM'd you about the county sheriff advising me to turn back on the way to Diamond Valley I ended up in Pine Valley and spent time hiking around the little lake there before meeting my son in St. George. Old Robert Richey was one of the first group to settle Pine Valley in 1855.

Thanks for all the work you do on posting up continually.

Ed

[BigDogAdventures.com]

Been following all still Red Rock Rider.

But got really excited seeing your trip to Turaweep---me and my buddy Dingweeds where there April 16th.
Nice weather---headed to Fredonia and it all of a sudden got down in the 20's----stayed the old Grand Canyon Motel.






I think we got there on a different route than you took




This was just a small part of a 14 day ride of 2,500 miles on a huge loop.

That story is at the link below if your interested---this trip included an unwanted helicopter ride to the ER when a lady riding with us (LDF--Francine) hit her head severely on the "Old Mojave Road" in California------it's a good read---with pics of course. Her boyfriend (Dr. Rock) hit the emergency button on his spot tracker and here came the chopper.

http://www.bigdogadventures.com/1Mobius11.htm


BigDog

[RedRockRider]

Thank you, inmates. Also thanks for all the positive PMs, and star ratings.

There are some creative names out there in ADV-land. Ride safe, recent visitors:

Desertwater, SquidRavioli, DirtyJohnny, samthg, Duhfactor, G19Tony, MTNClimber0331, DCZ, ringokelly, eakins, davesupreme, eveRide, Superhawk, Byork, Signal, TheAdmiral, NSFW, Bob, MSH, dave6253, bfilk, BidDogAdventures.com, Questor, mountainfever, ram350, tuna101, fly2hi96, mefadv, Deadweight, plumbstraight, StG, red_ryder, chrish4ku, trevor2k, bomose, bdarling, robincx, Oldone, markbgardner, ALinUTAH, SparkyL, DirtReeper, Mr Head, RockinTheRVA, notsofasteddie

[Mr Head]

I'm not surprised at all at the number of visits. I avoid checking here some just because every one of your reports makes me want to quit my job and go ride, hike, bike anything other than sit in that cube.

Just found out Friday I have an assignment following the one I'm on, after a short break for our first vacation in a couple of years. No motorcycles for this one though, I'll be sitting on at a beach cottage, sipping boatdrinks and coffee, channeling my Jimmy Buffet. Come Fall, maybe I can get away for a few days. I really need to see that overlook.
In a few hours I'll slab it back to Phoenix for my last two weeks there. Just waiting on the day to get hot enough.

(... waiting on daughters to go eat lunch...)

Originally Posted by RedRockRider

Thank you, inmates. Also thanks for all the positive PMs, and star ratings.

There are some creative names out there in ADV-land. Ride safe, recent visitors:

Desertwater, SquidRavioli, DirtyJohnny, samthg, Duhfactor, G19Tony, MTNClimber0331, DCZ, ringokelly, eakins, davesupreme, eveRide, Superhawk, Byork, Signal, TheAdmiral, NSFW, Bob, MSH, dave6253, bfilk, BidDogAdventures.com, Questor, mountainfever, ram350, tuna101, fly2hi96, mefadv, Deadweight, plumbstraight, StG, red_ryder, chrish4ku, trevor2k, bomose, bdarling, robincx, Oldone, markbgardner, ALinUTAH, SparkyL, DirtReeper, Mr Head, RockinTheRVA, notsofasteddie

[KICKNBACK]

I am so glad I came across RRR's ride reports for our trip
In June to Utah when my daughter gets out of school hopefully it won't
be too warm. Between RRR and Big Dog if you didn't own a
bike before you would soon after reading there reports.

[RedRockRider]

Originally Posted by KICKNBACK

I am so glad I came across RRR's ride reports for our trip
In June to Utah when my daughter gets out of school hopefully it won't
be too warm. Between RRR and Big Dog if you didn't own a
bike before you would soon after reading there reports.

Hey KICKNBACK -- Thanks for your post and your other email. Great that you and your daughter had so much fun exploring Utah and are planning another trip. As a family, we've never done any real "rockhounding" -- just a few samples we accidentally bumped in to. Can certainly see how kids (and parents) could get into it. Nothing like a "Treasure Hunt" -- especially with reward at the end. Greetings to your daughter. Have a safe trip. Stay at higher elevations if it is getting hot towards the middle of summer. Always possible to beat the heat by going up. Best regards, RRR.

[samthg]

Speaking of Tuweep,

There's gotta be an award for "Toilet in the Best Spot".



Thanks RRR, congrats on all the views and a fantastic thread!!

[Dr.Z]

Toroweep is spectacular... . especially since there's nothing like it in Floriduh

[RedRockRider]

Had a conference in Las Vegas last week. Good opportunity to ride the moto. Traveling light. A few pics on the way down.

Oh, and thanks inmates for all the continuing positive comments (and pics) and PMs. Everyone's input adds a lot to the thread.

Exploring a few side roads (all paved) near Beaver Dam, AZ, just south of the Virgin River Gorge. Great skyscape!




Good frontage roads parallel I-15. Much more interesting curves and scenery. Plus easy opportunities for that required mirror shot!




Just north of Mesquite. Empty roads. Easy to park in any open stretch to get a pic.




Actually stopped and turned around to run this stretch of road backwards. No loitering allowed on this bridge. I've actually seen highway patrol here several times. Never have stopped on the bridge.




Just south of Mesquite. Some nice dips and waves in this stretch of pavement.




Virgin River at Riverside, NV. This is peak run-off. Not much snowpack in Southwest Utah mountains. Going to be low river flows this summer.




From the bridge. Virgin Peak in background. This is the start of the Gold Butte Road and the entrance to Cedar Pockets and the Western AZ Strip. Lots of good territory out there.




Short blast on I-15 and made quick time down to Valley of Fire State Park.




Valley of Fire is worth a trip. Haven't spent much time here. Will have to go back. Good for motos and pics. Off-trail hiking would be great if not too hot.




Late afternoon. Typical Valley of Fire road and scenery. Gorgeous rocks everywhere.




I went back and forth on this section a few times.




Playing around with the camera angle.




White Domes at the end of the scenic road.




Big views. Layers of multi-colored rock in the last direct light of the day. As always, could have used more time.




A few hours later, I was in the hotel room looking out on the Strip.




Time to go down and look around. Been to Vegas quite a few times. Roaming the Strip is always entertaining.




Why bother going to Paris?




The Aria sign seems to be taking top honors now for brightest and best in show.




The Bellagio with the fountain show in front.




Inside the Bellagio.













Lots of attractive women in Las Vegas. You'd have to be dead not to notice. Here's the only one I photographed.




Next door is Aria. Cool waterfall.




Inside Aria. Impressive architecture, but not as showy as Bellagio.




My son always likes pics of the castle. We have often cruised the skywalks over Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana. Good intersection. Lots of action.




One for all you Harley guys. Let's see your Harleys . . .




Back to my home for a few nights.

[RedRockRider]

During the conference I had a chunk of free time late one afternoon. Drove out to Hoover Dam. Here is the Vulcan at the shoreline of Lake Mead.




Drove up top to the overlook. Pulled up next to the limo driver so we could compare our rides. The guys in the limo were photographers, offered up wine and cheese. Too bad they didn't have a better sky.




View looking down on the marina where I just was.




Parked next to this cool van. I think they had there own "snacks" inside. Didn't need to get out to share the wine and cheese.




The map.




Hoover Dam. Haven't been here for about 25 years. Water level is low!




The new "Pat Tillman" Memorial Bridge. Rode the moto across the bridge and back. Feels almost like a normal road. Walls on the side of the road and the approaches don't convey the feeling of height. Nice smooth surface.




Quite a few differences between Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. Visited Glen Canyon Dam with family last year. Much newer. Somewhat different tone to message about the environment.




Powerlines criss-cross the rock walls. I remember this from 25 years ago when the main road was on top of the bridge.




Spillway. This probably hasn't been used in a very long time. Even the size of this is impressive.




I like the icon of the "bad guy." Be sure to report to police if you happen to see someone wearing hat like this with a coat collar turned up over his neck. My son would have appreciated this classic cartoon-like look for a bad guy.




Lake, dam, and bridge. Walked around to get a few different angles.




Tourist boat came working its way down the lake towards the "no pass" barrier.




Back in Las Vegas went up to Fremont Street area before going back to the Strip. The Golden Goose looked like it was doing a brisk business.




Always easy to get rid of your extra money in Vegas.




Cruised the Strip once or twice before calling it a night.




Thanks for checkin' in. Ride safe, ride often!

[G19Tony]

Nice pics, as usual R3. The last time the spillway was used was in the late 80's. It was a year or two before I got there in 89. I enjoy riding the Northshore road out to Valley of Fire and Overton.

[RedRockRider]

Thanks for the info, G19Tony. And thanks for the PM the other day.

Time to leave Las Vegas. I had more than half a day, so I took a scenic loop before heading north. Classic shot at the south end of the Strip.




Out to Red Rock Canyon. These European guys on rented Harleys seemed to be having a good time.




In between shuffling the bikes I grab a quick pick and go.




The BLM Visitor Center for Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area is on par with lots of National Park Visitor Centers. Lots of displays and a few modern art sculptures. I think this is a depiction of fire, one of the forces that has shaped the land.




San dunes frozen in time. Similar to lots of the local scenery around St. George.




Vulcan was a great bike for this trip. I had to cram a few extra things in the saddle bags for the ride home, but it all worked out well.




Similar to Snow Canyon State Park in St. George -- watch for turtles!




Near the end of the scenic drive (one-way) through Red Rock Canyon. Nice road with terrific views.




Near Bonnie Springs. Very docile. Happy to pose for pics.




Mural / painting at a gas station at the intersection with Nevada Route 160. Stay safe out there.




Open road out to Pahrump. Almost made the Vulcan 900 LT feel small.




Tourist shot.




Road was really fun, and stark, on the north side of Pahrump. Big empty spaces, rugged desert and mountains.




Taking advantage of the long open road to pose the Vulcan. Seems to be a traditional ADV-type pic. Long lonely highway, often in the American West.




Intersection with Highway 95. Have to save the trip to Tonopah for another day.




On Nevada 156, the lower slopes of Charleston Peak. Still very desert like.




Bike was flawless and very fun to be putting the miles on. Big windscreen was nice!




Dramatic changes near the top. Colder temps and mountain scenery.




Ski time in Vegas!




Still quite a lot of snow visible on all the north facing exposures.




Traded some pics with a nice Asian family at the top. It's the thing to do.




Took the curvy route over the check out the other side of Mount Charleston. Nice road. Not too impressed with little town. Lots of haphazard building, at least that's what you see from the road. Made the loop down 157 towards 95.




Final pic before returning to Vegas and I-15 and heading back to St. George. Bit of storm was threatening, but it never amounted to anything.




Really fun to be out on the bike. Good way to travel, especially if time allows for a bit of exploration. Thanks for riding along. Stay safe out there.