The Red Rocket's Best Day?

It was a tortuous hot day in Southern Utah. Andrew, Rebekah and I stayed at Bryce Canyon and headed to Torrey, Utah where we spent the night. That drive along Highway 12 is a "Scenic Byway" and for good reason is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. It is stunningly beautiful with a wide range of desert, color and even lush green areas. It has some world class climbs and descents and the Hell's Backbone portion is a remarkable engineering feat.

When we got some miles outside of Escalante I decided to brave the heat in the mid nineties and pull the "Red Rocket" (my bike and most prized material possession) off the bike rack and hit the road. Rebekah agreed to drive and be the photographer on this adventure. She would drive a few miles up the road, take some photos, see if I was suffering a heat stroke and then repeat this ordeal. Andrew was patient and served as a photographer as well. They were an excellent support team.

The ride between Escalante and Boulder was hot and tough at times but truly gorgeous. This part of Escalante -- Grand Staircase has lots of color, deep valleys, high vistas and the road is in good shape with very few cars. The rolling hills and dramatic descents make for a bicyclist's dream. The kids captured the beauty of the route well in the photos below.

















































































After an outstanding ride on the Burr Trail road (see accompanying blog entry) I had planned to make the 2,500 foot climb from Boulder to the summit of Boulder Mountain but with temperatures almost breaking the century mark I let Rebekah drive me to within four miles of the summit where the temperature was a much nicer 78 degrees. The ride to the summit was a bit taxing as that altitude (9,200 feet) gets to a sea level dweller. The terrain changed completely from the desert conditions near Escalante as a verdant green forest covers most of Boulder Mountain.





























Near the summit the view of the surrounding terrain -- Capitol Reef National Park, The Henry Mountains, Escalante -- Grand Staircase... are all in view and very impressive. The photo above gives a feel for the view.

The 2,400 foot descent into Torrey was thrilling as numerous steep grades made for a rapid ride. I even pushed the Red Rocket faster than I ever have (46 MPH). This was out of character as I have become a cautious rider in my advancing years.

It was an unforgettable day -- one of the best the Red Rocket and I have ever had. Thanks to my traveling companions who made it possible and The Good Lord for creating wonders beyond imagination in Southern Utah.

Biking a Most Scenic Backroad -- The Burr Trail Road

The Burr Trail Road is a remote and rarely traveled road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It begins in tiny Boulder, Utah and travels 70 miles to Lake Powell. The first part is paved and traverses some truly spectacular country. At a few points in the road the massive walls on both sides go straight up and it is almost like you are biking in a slot canyon. Here are a few of photos from our bike adventure on a stunningly beautiful road.
















Andrew and Rebekah above the mast dramatic portion of the Burr Trail Road about to embark on their ride.




























































A bit hard to see but Andrew and Rebekah are on that dramatic road making their way to the "slot canyons' on the road.

Zion National Park #2

We took a quick trip to the ghost town of Grafton -- a few miles from the Zion gate. You may recognize this place as it was made famous as one of the main settings for one of my favorite movies -- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.


On our way out of Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. I rode from the canyon floor to the tunnel where no bikes or pedestrians are allowed. It was a great four mile climb on a hot afternoon. Hard to beat the scenery on this ride.


Our final hike was an easy one mile to Canyon Overlook -- another great view of this amazing place.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is a marvel. The colors and seemingly endless hoodoos create a unique place in all the world. Each time I visit I get a greater appreciation for the beauty one finds there. Andrew and Rebekah had never been there and quickly realized how beautiful it is. Here are a few photos of our all too short visit to Bryce.

Zion National Park #1

Tuesday morning (June 21) Rebekah, Andrew and I headed from our home in Logan Canyon to Zion National Park -- one of the most spectacular places in the world. It was a very nice six hour trip -- Rebekah did all the driving, but we were hit with temperatures of almost 100 degrees upon our arrival in Springdale. I was ready for a bike ride but the kids thought the hotel pool looked more inviting so that is where we went for a swim in a truly stunning setting.



When the temperatures cooled a bit we went for a fabulous bike ride through Zion canyon as the sun set on the majestic peaks that line the canyon walls. It is an ideal place for a bike ride as there are virtually no cars -- tourists have to take a shuttle bus during the summer season -- and the views rival any place in the country. We loved the red roads that fit so well with the red rock that dominates this national park. The biggest danger on this ride was hitting one of the numerous deer or wild turkeys in the canyon. The temperature in the canyon was at least 10 degrees cooler than just down the road as nightfall was coming on the longest day of the year.

Rebekah and Andrew stop for a photo in Zion Canyon.
Sun sets on the Patriarchs as Rebekah and Andrew ride by.
This bike ride was their introduction to Zions National Park and to Angels's Landing, the peak in the background.

Early Wednesday morning we climbed Angels Landing -- one of the best hikes in the world.
At the trailhead as the morning sun hits Angels Landing.

The first 1,000 feet of this hike are not particularly taxing thanks to innumerable switchbacks which have been named "Walter's Wiggles" after the first park superintendent who helped engineer this impressive trail.
Then the fun starts as the final 500 feet involve a lot of scrambling with dramatic exposure most of the way. As the sign below says this is not a climb for one who is afraid of heights. Virtually every year a few climbers fall to their death on this climb.

Fortunately the park service has installed chains in places where there is great exposure. Neither Rebekah or Andrew showed any fear on this climb.
Note the exposure on both sides of the path.
Near the summit Rebekah and Andrew stop under this interesting tree.

As we posed for photos on the summit I was reminded of the some of the previous times I have made this climb. I have priceless memories of making this ascent with Rosie, Julie, Emilie, Stephen and Marc. The grandeur of Zion is truly jaw dropping from this summit.
















The sun is rising as the kids descend to the valley with a new sense of accomplishment and memories that will last a lifetime.