Southwest Utah: Dual Sport Riding from St. George

[samthg]

RRR

...as always, great stuff!

Yep the weather in the west has been amazing the past couple of weeks, and I keep thinking of So. UT. Golf in morning, ride in afternoons.

I'm talking out of my arse here, but could that spot problem be as simple as battery strength? New batteries, lithium v. non lith? Just sayin'...

Be lookin' foward to some more great pics.

Thanks.

[RedRockRider]

Ran a few more tests. SPOT now accurate within 10 ft. Not sure why the first few weren't accurate -- probably some degree of operator error (looking at Google Maps) -- All good now. My wife keeps wondering why she's getting the text messages that "I'm ok" from the front yard, back yard, etc. WTF??? She's great -- wanted me to have it. Peace of mind.

Thanks, Sam. Yeah -- don't I owe you a lunch? All the best for 2012!

[samthg]

Originally Posted by RedRockRider

Thanks, Sam. Yeah -- don't I owe you a lunch? All the best for 2012!

Actually, it's only pie. Thanks for remembering.

But, i've got another excuse to get up to So. UT. So thanks.

[samthg]

BTW, since it's only 90 min south... http://www.midamericaauctions.com/au...e-auction-188/

[RedRockRider]

Start with the map. Good for orientation.




It's about 10 miles on surface streets to the River Rd. exit on the new airport freeway -- not shown on map. The exit onto dirt is right where it says "Port of Entry." Our plan was to ride to Quail Hill and Seegmiller Mountain, but hail and wind convinced us to judiciously retreat to lower elevation. We ended up circling Little Black Mountain (Pertroglyphs) and returning to St. George via Washington.

Good ride and always great to be out with Dad. About 60 miles.

Here is the River Road exit.




The off-ramp is right on the border with AZ. The start of the AZ strip. See Post #2 (page 1) for ride to Virgin River Gorge Overlook - AZ side. Area on the map called "Grey Points."




BLM 1069 (Mount Trumbull Loop on the map) is the main road to Wolf Hole and eventually Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse, etc. Hard pack gravel in very good condition. Pavement ends just beyond photo. See Post #92 (page 7) for Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse and Toroweap.




Relatively new signage. Only a few bullet marks.




Some interesting history.




Dad with "The Hayrocks." Informal camping nearby.




Beautiful. But some weather is blowing in. We got a burst of hail and high winds shortly after this pic.




At the top of the first pass, where we turned around. (End of highlight on map.)




Potentially a good hiking trail. Save this for a return trip. As you are climbing the road, you can see the old route (Mokaac Trail) on the opposite side of the hill (Quail Canyon).




Smaller BLM road from our turn-around at the top of the hill. This road winds west and south past Wolf Hole Mtn. Some residual snow. Colder up here.




Here's a pic from a few months ago of "Three TW200s" on top of Quail Hill. See Post #126 (page 9).




Sun was back out by the time we descended, almost back to the River Road exit. This is the turn-off to the Petroglyphs at Little Black Mountain. See Post #22 (page 2). Just saw Pop in Philadelphia over New Years. Pop conveys greetings to all inmates.




My bike with the BLM marker. Very close the petroglyphs.




Petroglyph pic from a prior ride. Didn't stop today. Just havin' fun cruising along.




This is where BLM 1124 ends, right at the AZ / Utah border again. Runs into BLM 1035. We turn north and head 10 miles back to St. George.




One look south on BLM 1035. This goes deep into the AZ strip. Save this for another day.




The road back to St. George, via Washington (adjoining town).




Dad enjoying the ride.




We pass a turn-off with familar names. Also a good road for a future ride. This eventually goes to Hurricane, UT. Lots of ATV riding in this area! Near Sand Hollow State Park (Sand Mountain).




Last pic out on the road. Older irrigation pipe with Pine Valley Mountain in background. Lots of cloud cover, but probably not much snow. We'll see tomorrow.




And wife has great dinner ready, shortly after we get home. Very colorful plate, worth a pic. She's a winner!




Thanks for following along. Ride safe!

[RedRockRider]

Short Sunday afternoon ride. Went back to Fort Pearce Road (Washington, UT). Only had enough time to get to Warner Valley. Will have to follow this through to Hurricane next time.

Stopped for the same pic as yesterday. Exact spot. No snow on Pine Valley Mountain. Dry, dry winter so far.




The start of the Warner Valley / Fort Pearce Road. Same spot as yesterday. This time no clouds in the sky. Sunny southern Utah.




Some of my local "friends" got to this sign. Standard practice for these parts. Popular shooting area, and close to town. Perhaps was my buddy, Eddie (Toroweap Ride). He lives on this side of town, and always carries.




In the heart of Warner Valley. Very scenic in late afternoon light. Red cliffs have sand dunes on top. Part of Sand Hollow State Park. Great ATV area.




Most of the road looks like this. Some places with loose sand.




Lots of recent wind. Sand "dunes" across 100+ yards of road. A truck was stuck at the other end with a few guys organizing a tow strap. Good place to turn around since light was going to fade quickly.




Tracks across the sand.




My camera found this.




Looked over my shoulder near the edge of town and noticed the full moon. Interesting shot with flock of white birds.




Thanks for checkin' in. -- Also, that dinner my wife made last night was good. Tonight was leftovers!

[MSH]

Originally Posted by RedRockRider

Some interesting history.

Awesome... I participated in this eagle scout project. Nate Lamb was my next door neighbor.

[RedRockRider]

MSH --- to you and Nate Lamb. Good eagle project. The "Hayrocks" sign often has a visitor stopped by it. Seems to be appreciated by everyone.

My son is a Webelos (and I'm the Cubmaster). We're into the Pinewood Derby at the moment. His cars!

[DirtyJohnny]

Nice cars! Use graphite on all axles to make them faster. Disreguard if you already do.

[RedRockRider]

Thanks, DirtyJohnny -- Yeah! We used graphite. Those cars are from the past three years. Each one was a winner. Fastest time for Den and/or Pack. Currently we are building the car for this year. Similar design. Son says it's going to be black, perhaps with silver stripes. Race is in about a week. We'll see how it does.

[samthg]

Originally Posted by RedRockRider

MSH --- to you and Nate Lamb. Good eagle project. The "Hayrocks" sign often has a visitor stopped by it. Seems to be appreciated by everyone.

My son is a Webelos (and I'm the Cubmaster). We're into the Pinewood Derby at the moment. His cars!

Beautifully done!

I was Webelo, but that's as far as I got.

BTW, for increased speed, attach a teeney-tiny ADV sticker.

[RedRockRider]

Out doing a few errands this afternoon on my bike. A pic near the entrance to Snow Canyon.




Here's a pic from a hike several weeks ago from within Snow Canyon. Much more dramatic light. Lots of great short hikes (1-3 miles) in Snow Canyon State Park. The petrified sand dunes (slickrock) is our favorite!




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

[rockjunkie]

Stunning photography and report.

I've been dreaming of an Arizona/Utah/Colorado/Montana trek, and this sure has inspired me. Amazing.

[RedRockRider]

Thanks, Rockjunkie . . . southwest Utah is great riding! Good luck with your upcoming trip to Vegas.

[DCZ]

Thanks RedRockRider for the view of places around St. George - great area. After doing my first ride report I am impressed by the time and effort people put in to these things.

Keep it up - Thanks

Rick