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[Lappeman]

Another beautiful day, plus 70f and sunny! We headed out this morning with the idea that we would go up the La Sal's to Geyser Pass and then head back down. The ride up was nice and we got lucky, as the road was closed just past where we turned up Geyser Pass road. It was a nice ride up until about 9,300' where snow started to appear on the road. This made things very slippery and tough going. At 10,095' BackRoader, 2whlrider and Mark96 decided to turn around and head back to a nice sunny warm pasture at about 9,700'. I continued on another 5kms to the top of Geyser Pass at 10,510' and then return quickly back down to the waiting group.

BackRoader and 2whlrider on road up La the Sal Mountains


Snow starts to appear as Mark96 pushes on


Geyser Pass


After the attempt at Geyser, we headed back into town, gassed up and headed for Gemini Bridges, which is two arches side by side with only a 6' gap between them. Think you can jump the 6' inbetween them...so did two people that I heard of. One last year, who plunged to their death over a hundred feet onto the rock below. After a few photos there, 2whlrider, BackRoader wanted to see the start of Metal Masher, so I joined them while Mark96 headed out to ride elsewhere. We went a little ways up Metal Masher so they could see what part of it was like and then headed back out to the highway and looped back to the Hotel. 2whlrider and I continued up to Slickrock while BackRoader toured the town.

On the road to Gemini Bridges


2whlrider passing the "Goonie Bird"


2whlrider on top of Gemini Bridges


Start of Metal Masher


Jumping up a little ledge


Going down some rough stuff at the start of Metal Masher


2whlrider and I visited the old Lions Back, Hells Revenge start, Baby Lions Back and Slickrock. I ran Baby Lions Back again and did a short loop on Slickrock. By now it was getting late in the day, so we headed back to the hotel and down to the pool to catch the last sun of the day and bask in the 70f sun

Lappeman on Baby Lions Back


Going down


Playing on Slickrock

[PiffleMaster]

Originally Posted by Lappeman

Another beautiful day, plus

Great pictures!
So where's the Hotel/Motel???
Cheers!

[canuckAME]

You guys are definitely not in Northern Ontario anymore. Looks like a great ride Have fun down there and don't break anything or anybody..

[Nanabijou]

Yes - awesome photos and really enticing report. Keep them coming!! :

Mike

[Dgosselin]

All sounds like the right excitment.
I'm from the Toronto area, and wondering if you know of the forum that caters to gatherings and trips from this area. Sorry for the bother..but some direction would be appreciated

[Lappeman]

Originally Posted by Dgosselin

All sounds like the right excitment.
I'm from the Toronto area, and wondering if you know of the forum that caters to gatherings and trips from this area. Sorry for the bother..but some direction would be appreciated

Try this and enjoy the site http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106586

[calan818]

Thanks Lappeman! Looks like Dave has an advantage with his small CC dirtbike. Do tell how the bikes are performing. Whatever you do, don't try jumping that Gemini Bridge!

[Lappeman]

Originally Posted by calan818

Thanks Lappeman! Looks like Dave has an advantage with his small CC dirtbike. Do tell how the bikes are performing. Whatever you do, don't try jumping that Gemini Bridge!

BackRoader's KLX400 and 2whlrider's KLX 250 are doing alright but they are sucking wind at higher elevation, need to change the needle setting. Mark96's KLR is a KLR, it just keeps chuging along. We're trying not to put the KLR thru any real rough stuff. BackRoader is slowing getting used to his new bike and 2whlrider had the 250 on a bit of Metal Masher and did really well. Gas mileage is a bit of an issue for the 250 but he has a 1.25 gal can with him.

Today's report coming up soon.

[Lappeman]

Another fantastic day, what can I say...Moab is delivering

We started out heading for Onion Creek road off Hwy 128 along the Colorado River. Turning onto the road I decided to run hard and fast thru this amazing Canyon. It was some of the best scenery in the area. Lots of shallow creek crossing and a steady climb up and out. Soon I was running far ahead of the guys and reached Thompson road turnoff before I realized that I missed the Rose Garden trail. I backtracked and headed across to the Rose Garden Hill. I Bounced and weaved my way down into the Canyon and was soon at the Hill. I looked at it and said, no way I'm going up there without anyone with me. It looked extremly rough and steep and that was just the first tenth of the climb. So I headed back up the other hill and up Thompson Canyon Road. I soon caught up with the guys. They were on a break, loosing a layer of clothing as it had warmed up a lot. I decided that I was going to head up Polar Mesa, which was a road off the main road that headed back into an old Uranium mine area. I told the guys I'd catch up with them again. After a fast climb up some switchbacks, I was heading into Mine country. I visited a couple of old sites and ran to the end of the road which contained some nice scenery from the cliff.

Starting off on Onion Creek road


On Onion Creek road


Rose Garden Hill...no go


View of area


Old Moab Mine and Debris





I flew out of the area at high speed expecting to catch up to the guys but never found them...apparently their GPS and map reading skills were lacking a bit, as they ended up across the Colorado State Line I continued on to Castle Valley Road and up to an radio tower at 8950'. It was a nice ride thru some huge Pines. Once back on the main road I headed out to the Highway and back to the hotel. A quick change into summer riding gear and I was heading out to try Poison Spider Mesa. The name sounds soooo cool for a ride that I had to try it. It was rated hard for the jeeps but I had to try it. By this time I was tired from the long days ride, it was getting late in the day and I was alone. So I knew I wouldn't want to get in over my head. Heading up from the parking lot, I was greeted right away with a tough accent. Bouncing and banging my way upwards, I ran thru loose rock, deep sand and steep slickrock. 3.7kms in I met my match for the day. A wall of slickrock steps that continued up around a switchback and on out of sight. End of the Line for me No pushing it in my condition of tired, late and alone! I headed back down all the carnage that I had just went thru to reach this point and finally made it back out to the highway and back to the hotel. Day 3 done! Lots more riding to come

View on Castle Valley road


Poison Spider easy stuff


Lappeman on Poison Spider


Poison Spider Mesa...No way


View from Poison Spider Mesa

[2whlrider]

Originally Posted by Lappeman

BackRoader's KLX400 and 2whlrider's KLX 250 are doing alright but they are sucking wind at higher elevation, need to change the needle setting. Mark96's KLR is a KLR, it just keeps chuging along. We're trying not to put the KLR thru any real rough stuff. BackRoader is slowing getting used to his new bike and 2whlrider had the 250 on a bit of Metal Masher and did really well. Gas mileage is a bit of an issue for the 250 but he has a 1.25 gal can with him.

Today's report coming up soon.

Yep, above 7000ft my 250 really looses power. (What power it has) A bigger gas tank would be handy for this kind of riding. Other than that it's been great on the rough stuff.

[Dgosselin]

Laprmn
I did enjoy your work and efforts. Is that a pipe bomb holder behind the front wheel!!
More seriously, why the tensioner upgrade to the are under the magneto?

[PiffleMaster]

Originally Posted by Lappeman

Another fantastic day, what can I say...Moab is delivering

Loving the pics and the narrative Rob, thank you!

[Lappeman]

Well, what can I say...Moab delivered again Sunny and 74f

I headed out on my own this morning, aiming the Ktm past my failed Posion Spider venue and around the Moab Potash Plant. There I was on Shaffer road heading to link up with the White Rim Trail. 90 miles of ups, downs and rough riding. It was warming up quick but there was no time to stop until I was sure I would make the distance before dark. Most 4 x 4's need 2 days to cover this vast area as the trail winds along the Colorado River and offers spetacular vistas! It is a meca for Mountain bikers and I passed around 50 of them durring my 6 and a half hour, 245km journey

Moab White Rim view


On the Moab White Rim Trail


Following the Colorado river


Steep switchbacks climbing out of the canyon


It seemed like forever and around 2 thirds of the way thru I was wishing it was over but in the end I was glad I did it. Soon I was heading into Long Canyon on my way back to Moab. It was a nice short little section that ran down a canyon with a fallen rock leaning against the cliff creating an arch over the roadway. Once back in Moab I decided that was enough for today and headed to the hot tub to soak my sores.

Thru Long Canyon


Fallen Rock creating archway


Bottom section of Long Canyon


Tomorrow I hope to hook up with the guys again for a ride to Hurrah Pass and Chicken Corners! Forecast...sunny and 70f

[PiffleMaster]

Originally Posted by Lappeman

Well, what can I say...Moab delivered again Sunny and 74f...
sunny and 70f

Thumbs up!

[Hektoglider]

great stuff Lappeman!

I am still riding every other day. Put the highway bikes away yesterday. Not going too far, but feels good to get out.

pretty quiet on here other than the Moab stuff.