Wild West River Rider

Avalanche Creek

wildwestriverrider — Sun, 13 May 2012 01:15:19 +0000

This trail follows Avalanche Creek up toward the base of Capitol Peak ending at Avalanche Lake. The trail is 11 miles gaining around 4,200′ of elevation along the way.

Uncompahgre Peak

wildwestriverrider — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:57:12 +0000

Uncompahgre Peak is the highest peak on the Western Slope (west side of the Continental Divide). At 14,321′ it stands high above the surrounding landscape providing wonderful views. The nearby town of Lake City is a gem tucked in the Gunnison River basin.

Bangs Canyon

wildwestriverrider — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:04:19 +0000

Bangs Canyon is located just east of the Colorado National Monument. There are a variety of trails for trucks, suvs, atvs, motorcycles, mountain bikes and walking. Many of the trails are limited by 50″ gates to keep out trucks and suvs. The trails connect to the Tabeguache Trail which is a 142 mile trail that is on the list of things to hit. For more information on the Bangs Canyon Area and the Tabeguache Trail check out these links:

Bangs Canyon BLM Official Site
Tabeguache Trail BLM Official Site
Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association Tabeguache Trail Page (this site also includes information for the Kokopelli and Paradox Trails)

Crescent Lake

wildwestriverrider — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:03:26 +0000

Emerald lake on the way to Crescent lake.

Crescent Lake is a great destination for 4x4s, motorcycles, atvs etc. It is high on the Colorado Flattops and has a very rough road that is impassable in wet conditions. For those looking to get away and test their offroad skills this is a great place for late summer as its a high alpine destination.

Sunlight Upper Cabin

wildwestriverrider — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:36:52 +0000

Sunlight Mountain Resort is an awesome little ski area that doesn’t see many people and still has a small town atmosphere. They also offer a great set of cross country ski trails. There are a couple of cabins along these trails. The upper cabin is a one room log cabin with an old wood burning stove. It makes for a great place to spend the night in the winter as long as there is a decent coal bed in the stove.

Hovenweep

wildwestriverrider — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:29:03 +0000

Hovenweep National Monument, Utah & Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado

Feb. 4-6 2012 Hovenweep is close to nothing geographically. Our trip started in Glenwood Springs, as usual, heading down through Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, Ridgeway then a few obsurce places that I intend to visit this summer on the motorcycle. In particular Rico, Placerville and Dallas Creek above Ridgeway. The turn to Canyon of the Ancients and Hovenweep is already off the beaten path, a left on the way north from Cortez to Dove Creek. From there its a 25 mile drive where we saw only 2 cars.

Creede

wildwestriverrider — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:18:38 +0000

Moab – Fin’s and Things

wildwestcyclerider — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:39:03 +0000

Fins N’ Things, Moab , UT

Dec. 9 2011 Friday rolled around and we loaded up the car and rolled the motorcycles onto the trailer. I received a last minute call and we soon gained an 80 series and Aric. Sweet! Our newly expanded party hit the road and we arrived in Moab after dark and headed up into the La Salles to strike camp. After watching the temperature climb lower and lower as we drove higher and higher we decided to turn around and camp down in the Slickrock park area. It was a toasty 23 degrees out so we started up a fire in the ring. If there is one thing camping in the desert lacks it is available combustibles. Luckily we brought a staircase. In the morning we defrosted and I blasted down the road to the ranger station to pay our permit fees we forgot the previous evening. Even with the sun out it was still a bitter ride at 40mph. That was not a problem however as there were lots of low speed diversions along the way to help me keep the chill off. When I returned we packed up camp and Aric departed as we made for town. We arrived at our condo, found the key waiting under the mat and sprawled out. We cleaned up, checked the hottub and headed into town to grab a quick bite to eat before hitting the trails. We made a pit stop at City Market to get some breakfast and sustenance for the day ahead. I had my mind set on running fins’n'things as it was the only trail I have run previously and I wanted to see how the new FJ stacked up to my built Cherokee from a decade past. The FJ’s bulbous appearance really hides the impressive approach and breakover angles. The departure angle was sometimes inadequate for the steep up’s and downs Moab has to offer but the hitch happily took the blows and saved the rear bumper from harm. We ran the southern loop and I was pleased that the FJ climbed everything with ease.

Havasupai, Arizona

wildwestriverrider — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 02:45:09 +0000

Havasupai is an amazing place. Nestled in a tributary canyon of the Grand Canyon the small Havasupai Indian village is located near the source of Havasu Creek. Along the creek are Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls as well as many other small waterfalls along the creek. The creek is full of travertine dams creating pool and drop after pool and drop. The camping in the canyon is limited to around 200 people and that is a comfortable limit. The hike from the road at the top to the campground is 10 miles. It is hot desert hiking and for a small fee the Havasupai Tribe will take packs on horse or mule trains. Riding down or taking a helicopter are other travel options to the village which is approximately 2 miles up the trail from the campground.

Havasu Falls

Navajo Falls