Trouble in John's Canyon... Again! (AZ-UT Autumn Tour) - Page 5

dave6253 · 10-19-2011, 10:19 PM

PineyMountainRacing
rangecon1976
firemanswilson61,

Thanks for joining in and for the nice comments!

Paloma Paul,

Patience! I have tons of John's Canyon pics coming up. In the meantime, this abbreviated report from last year's trip to John's Canyon should tide you over: Another Sublime Failure
(BTW, If you get deeper than I did, I expect pics of you riding the TTR through my trouble spot.)

dave6253 · 10-19-2011, 10:30 PM

I top off fluids at the gas station/grocery store in Bluff, UT.
Then it's back to the asphalt and a race with the sun that appears to be accelerating towards the horizon.

I pass Comb Wash...

Spot Monument Valley in the distance...

and zip right past the Valley of the Gods.

Finally, I reach John's Canyon RD.

If I hurry, I just may reach John's Canyon before sunset...

dave6253 · 10-19-2011, 10:35 PM

I find it exceedingly difficult...

...to hurry, when around every bend...

...is another...

Spectacular Sight!

dave6253 · 10-20-2011, 05:45 PM

Ride Fast! Stop for pic.

The narrow road has been graded since last year and is pretty smooth and slick,
although the recent rains have done some damage.

John's Canyon is a beautiful place.

I reach the creek and ride down a short sandy two-track to a campsite under the trees.
Oh crap! Someone else had the same idea and stole my campsite.
I crossed the creek and rode up a rise and found a better spot with a 360 degree view of the canyon.
The two campers were the only people I've ever seen inside this canyon.

Day 3 Stats

dave6253 · 10-20-2011, 06:10 PM

A big bright moon keeps things illuminated all night long.

I set up camp as the last light fades...

...and the stars come out.

I cooked up a Mountain House Meal. I hadn't eaten since breakfast.

ShimrMoon · 10-20-2011, 06:15 PM

All I can say is thanks for some of the most stunning moto-pics I've ever seen!. I wanna go there!

Dusty · 10-20-2011, 08:27 PM

Wow Dave, Thanks so much for sharing.

Stunning. The weather sure added to the drama, but it must have been chilly. The La Sal loop rode was made for the 990, eh. The shots east off of hwy 12 into the drain, spectacular!

I will have this tab open for a while, just to flip through the eye candy.

dave6253 · 10-20-2011, 10:00 PM

Thanks ShimrMoon and Dusty!

dave6253 · 10-20-2011, 10:10 PM

I slept good in this quiet canyon.

I'm up and about as the first sunlight enters the canyon.

Ready to go!

I have my coffee and a granola bar. I saved the "Breakfast on the go!" mix for lunch. (Trying to lose weight.)

Let's go explore the rest of this road. I almost left the panniers next to the trail, since I must return this way.

dave6253 · 10-21-2011, 10:03 AM

Disclaimer: I know I'm stupid. I know I shouldn't ride alone. I know I should turn around when the trail becomes to difficult. I know I should carry a Spot. I KNOW I"M STUPID!

I set off to explore further down John's Canyon RD. After crossing the creek the road become a little unmaintained jeep trail.

It's easy enough for quite awhile.

My main motivation of coming here again was to go further this time. Not far after last year's turn around point, I reach this steep downhill.
Of course, it doesn't look all that bad. I tell myself I've ridden stuff just as gnarly looking already this weekend just not as steep.
I've ridden this steep before, just not as rocky at the same time. I consider dismounting and walking the section first, but know I'll just chicken out if I do.
I really wanted to see what was around the next corner. This is a dead end road. If I go down, I'll have to ride it back up.

WWND? What would Neduro do? The DSR DVDs are playing in my head. I tell myself,
"Just get up on the pegs, twist the throttle like a doorknob, Neduro would make this look easy".

I do just that. I ride down easy enough, but immediately realize I'm in trouble. The section was much worse that it looked like from above.
I notice there are no fresh tracks down here. I continue on, but just around the next corner was a steep rocky uphill.
I know I'm already in trouble and don't want to add to it. I've gone further than I should have already.

I turn around to face my foe.

Disclaimer: I know I'm stupid. I know I shouldn't ride alone. I know I should turn around when the trail becomes to difficult. I know I should carry a Spot. I KNOW I"M STUPID!

bretedge · 10-21-2011, 11:08 AM

Holy crap that's a gnarly looking hill! I think we've all probably made similar decisions at various times. I ride alone, not necessarily because I want to (although I do enjoy it) but because none of my friends ride. So, it's either ride alone or don't go. Not going isn't an option.

I can't wait to see what happens next. I might have to buy you a GoPro Hero for Xmas so we can all see video from your crazy adventures!

ata · 10-21-2011, 11:40 AM

you´re not stupid

just like me, the desire to ride is much more bigger than common sense, when you don´t have another chance

NDTransplant · 10-21-2011, 12:07 PM

Ah yes. The ol' steep, rocky downhil. And uphill....

rider914 · 10-21-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave6253

I turn around to face my foe.

Great report and really fantastic pics

I've been to pretty much all of these palces and your pics honestly capture what it feels like to be there

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave6253

I was gonna try to get a camping spot in Capitol Reef National Park, but scored a free spot with a better view!

Hey... I know that spot

-M

Bob · 10-21-2011, 01:19 PM

Great pics Dave, but the suspense is killing me!

10-19-2011, 10:19 PM	#61
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	PineyMountainRacing rangecon1976 firemanswilson61, Thanks for joining in and for the nice comments! Paloma Paul, Patience! I have tons of John's Canyon pics coming up. In the meantime, this abbreviated report from last year's trip to John's Canyon should tide you over: Another Sublime Failure (BTW, If you get deeper than I did, I expect pics of you riding the TTR through my trouble spot.) __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-19-2011, 10:30 PM	#62
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	The Race to John's Canyon I top off fluids at the gas station/grocery store in Bluff, UT. Then it's back to the asphalt and a race with the sun that appears to be accelerating towards the horizon. I pass Comb Wash... Spot Monument Valley in the distance... and zip right past the Valley of the Gods. Finally, I reach John's Canyon RD. If I hurry, I just may reach John's Canyon before sunset... __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com dave6253 screwed with this post 10-19-2011 at 10:40 PM

10-19-2011, 10:35 PM	#63
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	Hard to Hurry Now I find it exceedingly difficult... ...to hurry, when around every bend... ...is another... Spectacular Sight! __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-20-2011, 05:45 PM	#64
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	How not to Hurry Ride Fast! Stop for pic. Ride Fast! Stop for pic. Ride Fast! Stop for pic. Ride Fast! Stop for pic. The narrow road has been graded since last year and is pretty smooth and slick, although the recent rains have done some damage. John's Canyon is a beautiful place. I reach the creek and ride down a short sandy two-track to a campsite under the trees. Oh crap! Someone else had the same idea and stole my campsite. I crossed the creek and rode up a rise and found a better spot with a 360 degree view of the canyon. The two campers were the only people I've ever seen inside this canyon. Day 3 Stats __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-20-2011, 06:10 PM	#65
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	Nightfall in John's Canyon A big bright moon keeps things illuminated all night long. I set up camp as the last light fades... ...and the stars come out. I cooked up a Mountain House Meal. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-20-2011, 06:15 PM	#66
ShimrMoon Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Matthews NC Oddometer: 289	All I can say is thanks for some of the most stunning moto-pics I've ever seen!. I wanna go there! __________________ "I don't like repeat offenders, I like dead offenders.." Ted Nugent 13 BMW GTL, 10 BMW RT, 09 Suz Vstrom 650A, 02 BMW LTc, 92 BMW R100R (wish I still had it)

10-20-2011, 08:27 PM	#67
Dusty Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Rough Rider Country...Bismarck ND Oddometer: 1,020	Wow Dave, Thanks so much for sharing. Stunning. The weather sure added to the drama, but it must have been chilly. The La Sal loop rode was made for the 990, eh. The shots east off of hwy 12 into the drain, spectacular! I will have this tab open for a while, just to flip through the eye candy. __________________ Originally Posted by d0gWateR Vagrant, vagabond, transient, hobo, bum. But park a motorcycle next to him and PRESTO! He's an advrider!

10-20-2011, 10:00 PM	#68
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	Thanks ShimrMoon and Dusty! __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-20-2011, 10:10 PM	#69
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	Sunrise, Day 4 I slept good in this quiet canyon. I'm up and about as the first sunlight enters the canyon. Ready to go! I have my coffee and a granola bar. I saved the "Breakfast on the go!" mix for lunch. (Trying to lose weight.) Let's go explore the rest of this road. I almost left the panniers next to the trail, since I must return this way. __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-21-2011, 10:03 AM	#70
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	Explore Deeper Disclaimer: I know I'm stupid. I know I shouldn't ride alone. I know I should turn around when the trail becomes to difficult. I know I should carry a Spot. I KNOW I"M STUPID! I set off to explore further down John's Canyon RD. After crossing the creek the road become a little unmaintained jeep trail. It's easy enough for quite awhile. My main motivation of coming here again was to go further this time. Not far after last year's turn around point, I reach this steep downhill. Of course, it doesn't look all that bad. I tell myself I've ridden stuff just as gnarly looking already this weekend just not as steep. I've ridden this steep before, just not as rocky at the same time. I consider dismounting and walking the section first, but know I'll just chicken out if I do. I really wanted to see what was around the next corner. This is a dead end road. If I go down, I'll have to ride it back up. WWND? What would Neduro do? The DSR DVDs are playing in my head. I tell myself, "Just get up on the pegs, twist the throttle like a doorknob, Neduro would make this look easy". I do just that. I ride down easy enough, but immediately realize I'm in trouble. The section was much worse that it looked like from above. I notice there are no fresh tracks down here. I continue on, but just around the next corner was a steep rocky uphill. I know I'm already in trouble and don't want to add to it. I've gone further than I should have already. I turn around to face my foe. Disclaimer: I know I'm stupid. I know I shouldn't ride alone. I know I should turn around when the trail becomes to difficult. I know I should carry a Spot. I KNOW I"M STUPID! __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

10-21-2011, 11:08 AM	#71
bretedge Do Epic Shit Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Moab, Utah Oddometer: 437	Holy crap that's a gnarly looking hill! I think we've all probably made similar decisions at various times. I ride alone, not necessarily because I want to (although I do enjoy it) but because none of my friends ride. So, it's either ride alone or don't go. Not going isn't an option. I can't wait to see what happens next. I might have to buy you a GoPro Hero for Xmas so we can all see video from your crazy adventures! __________________ Bret Edge Moab, Utah Bret Edge Photography The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches NP

10-21-2011, 11:40 AM	#72
ata Iron Man Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Bilbao, close to the fu****ng Guggenheim Oddometer: 2,002	you´re not stupid just like me, the desire to ride is much more bigger than common sense, when you don´t have another chance __________________ Youth is wasted on the young Need some help<<<<<<>>>>>>> wet wanderings

10-21-2011, 12:07 PM	#73
NDTransplant Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Casa Grande, AZ Oddometer: 273	Ah yes. The ol' steep, rocky downhil. And uphill.... __________________ ALL ROADS LEAD TO ZEN MOTO

10-21-2011, 01:19 PM	#75
Bob Formerly H20Pumper Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Corral de Tierra Oddometer: 2,013	Great pics Dave, but the suspense is killing me!

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