Midway in the spring

I was tired of the gloom and rain so I decided to take a ride up the canyon to Midway and check up on some of my caches (and find a few) and visit the State Parks Campground where I will be staying during the State AM at Soldier Hollow in July. I wanted to make sure my trailer would fit in the spot I had selected. The farther I went up the canyon the more the clouds separated and blue sky was visible. It was beautiful to see all the green hills, snow capped peaks and NO rain.

I checked on a few of my caches and then to the State Park campground. My spot may be a tight fit but I should be able to back the trailer in. I'm glad I took a book to read today and stopped by one of the park areas next to Deer Creek and read and watched birds building a nest. Nothing like picking up yours spirits on a beautiful spring day.

As I rode back down the canyon, the gloom returned (and the rain) but at least I was able to escape it for an afternoon. I may have to do that again soon.

Spring to Summer in One Week

I headed out to Little Moab this past week (Tuesday - Saturday) to check on some of my geocaches, ride, and get away from everything. I took our dog, Shelby, out with me but after the first morning, she was limping around and having a hard time. I decided to run her home. It is only about 60 miles. After dropping her off and doing a few things in Town, I headed back to take in a late afternoon ride. It was windy most of the week except in the early morning hours.

I camped where Adams and Dibbles usually camp, on the west end of Little Moab area before the cattle guard.

Camp, looking south west towards Eureka

The desert is a carpet of green as we have received quite a bit of rain and snow this year. It is absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed riding but it was cool until Friday when it turned summer overnight.

Looking east past Allen's Ranch through 12-mile pass

I had no visitors until Friday with the exception of three people on Wednesday. Two of them were on the west side of camp over one of the hills and were shooting several different firearms with some bullets hitting rocks every once in awhile. They came awfully close to camp. The other guy on the east side of camp, over a ridge, was shooting a rifle across the canyon. I saw him drinking and shooting. I stayed away and hoped he did not try and shoot up the canyon. I would have had to return fire if he wanted to play that game.

Wednesday I took a ride over to 12-mile canyon and placed a cache. On the way over I ran into a small herd of antelope.  As I made it to the trail I wanted to search I had to maneuver slowly around the sheep and even found one stillborn. It was sad to see but food for other animals. I placed a cache nearby and headed home for dinner but was met by those three guys shooting.

Antelope on west side of Allen's ranch

Stillborn in 12-mile canyon

  Thursday, I ran into Santaquin and activated my two caches I had hidden and then came back to camp and read for awhile before taking another afternoon ride. Friday came the hordes of people and I knew it was time to head back to civilization (for a few weeks). Both Friday and Saturday I explored new areas in the Little Moab area and placed another cache in a dead-end canyon. It had a great view of the valley south of  Fairfield, Cedar Fort and Eagle Mountain (although you cannot see the towns).

Looking north towards Fairfield

Looking north from dead-end canyon

On Saturday, I met up with some geocachers who were new to the game and helped them find a few. We watched a few crazy people climb Little Moab in their rigs and then I headed back to camp, packed up and left. It was a great week except on Saturday it got warm extremely quick. I just wish the snow would melt so I can head into the mountains.

 Additional pictures of the area:

Lewiston Peak in background

Sheep herder leading two additional horses (in 12-mile canyon)

Looking south towards camp

Dead-end canyon on right

I could not believe this guy took a large fifth wheel to the base of the hill. The road in the bottom left goes through a wash that is only 10' across. He had to take the right trail that comes down the ridge (just above his trailer)

Chimney Rock (from the west side)

 

Easter Weekend

This year for Easter I decided to go to Cherry Creek with Ron & Nicole and Cory & Randa. Raylene stayed home since her sister and husband came over from Colorado Springs.

I headed down to Cherry Creek on Wednesday but was not able to get the camp spot Ron wanted because there were a lot of people already camped around the Sand Dunes. I could not believe it. I headed farther into Cherry Creek and found a good spot about a half mile down. I set up camp and then called Ron. He said that we have more people coming than he though. Instead of 6 or 7 trailers we now had 14 to 15. I found a good spot about a mile north so I packed up and headed to the new location.

Thursday I rode around a little since I have never been in this area. A wind storm came up and caught me off guard. I had to scramble to keep camp from blowing away. I'm so glad I did not have my contacts in or I would have gone blind. I rode again on Friday and waited for the group to arrive. They showed up just after noon. We had eleven trailers and two motor homes, a big group. It was mainly Tom Manzenerez and his family but there were a few additional friends from the Elks. The group had a bond fire going and were hanging out around the fire. I decided to call it a night and read before bed.

Saturday morning it tried to snow but we decided to go for a ride anyway. We headed out to Porter Rockwell's old ranch along the Cherry Creek. Too bad vandals have destroyed the house. We decided to return back to the camp by going through the creek and along the fence line. We had some fun in the creek. A few decided not to cross and one machine got stuck. That evening the group had their normal rain dance around the fire. But they did not stay up as long as they did on Friday.

Sunday, I decided to come home with the rest of the group. I was the first to leave and decided to take Redwood road instead of I-15. It takes a lot longer and I will not do that again. It was an okay trip and seeing Sand Mountain lit up like a small City was awesome but I think next time, I will camp with less people. 

My truck by camp on Wednesday

Camp on Wednesday all alone, sweet!

Marty (left) and Ron's trailer

More trailers arriving

Group mingling

One of Porters ranches

Group at Porters ranch

Crossing Cherry Creek

Group getting ready to leave Saturday

Dibbles outhouse

Group getting to leave on Sunday

Muddy!!!

Brad Harris and I needed a break and decided to head out to 5-mile no matter the condition of the trails. We parked on the west side of 5-mile by one of my geocaches. From there we headed south to 12-mile pass but only got as far as 10-mile close by the ghost town Topliff. The north side of the hills were very very wet and it was hard to avoid them all the time. Of course, who would want to. We came to play.

It is still too muddy to be out in a few spots and I learned that the hard way by almost flipping my 4wheeler. Mud has a way of stopping you pretty quick or causing you to slide all over the road. Good thing I was wearing a helmet. 

Brad and I did go up in the hills where the ground was still frozen and had lunch. It was so nice and warm we took our normal siesta. After lunch we continued south west towards 12-mile and found many of the trails too muddy to continue. Brad's machine was not protecting him from the mud and he had it everywhere. It's a good thing he brought extra clothing otherwise I would have had him ride in the back on the way home. On the way back to the truck, we went out to the pony express road. It was good and hard packed and we were able to make good time.

I was surprised at how many people were coming out to play. We thought it would be very cold day but as the day progressed it kept getting warmer. I'm glad we went out early and avoided the crowds.

Looking north west towards Stookey Mtn.

Out by 10-mile pass

Stookey Mtn.

Checking out the edge of the cliff

Ah, nap time!

Brad finishing up lunch

Brad trying to climb a hill that was too steep and soft.

Notice the mud!

Brad taking pics.