Our Canyonland Adventure

Over the April 24th weekend, Heidi and I went camping. We headed out not sure of where we would camp...either primitive on BLM just outside of Moab, or head down to Needles in Canyonland The weather was sketchy at best and even a bit of snow over Soldier Summit. After seeing the mosh pit that was Moab, being mobed by 4 wheelers and classic cars, we opted for the longer ride.

Arriving at Squaw Flats campgroung, it was of course, filled, and BLM Indian Creek area had some high male testosterone thing going on, we opted for Canyonland Outpost campground and were quite happy with the choice. It was run by a couple of hippy retreads, but very very nice people who were trying to please. After a simple, but delicious hamberger dinner topped off with smores over the campfire, we hit the sack. Glad we were in our VW Eurovan, as it rained quite constantly that night.

The next morning broke to a brisk and clear day. Not a cloud in the sky. We had our bikes in tow and were ready to do some riding. We opted to take the "overlook trail" which is a 4x4 road starting at the Needles visitor center. The first mile or two had some sand which is difficult to ride on but was minimized due to the rain the night before. This ride was about 15 miles round trip through beautiful desert meadows set in basins of rock outcroppings. The stark cliffs surrounding the river were in the distance and these were crowned with the LaSal mtns even further in the distance. It was very apparent that these mountains had seen alot of snow this past winter. About half way down the road, it began to get technical and I even thought that a jeep in some part flat out would not make it. This was a bit of a concern as Heidi had never been Mtn biking before and only had a crossover bike. But she was a champ and dealt quite well with it.











At the end of the road, we were rewarded with a spectacular view of the Colorado River below and other stark drainages that fed it. We were the only ones there and the quiet and wisp of a breeze was wonderful to meditate to. We enjoyed a little bit to eat and headed back. It was only then that we encountered human life in the form of a jeep convoy and one biker. I can hardily recommend this ride, just be warned that the first two miles might have some sand to deal with.


After lunch and a little recovery period, we headed back to Elephant Hill to start a hike into Chesler Park. This is about 6 miles RT, and after the ride in the A.M., our legs and stamina were feeling it. But it was fun and we enjoyed the views. The parking lot was mobbed, in fact I thought the whole park was as crowded as I can remember. But I usually am there in the fall and perhaps people are all camped out by then. Back at our camp, we started our dutch oven dinner, which was some kind of stew Heidi has seen in a DO cookbook. While cooking, we had an opportunity to take a shower (they charge for the shower, and my water pump on the van wasn't working, so we managed to double up and get all showered and feeling refreshed). So, side story, just before we left for the trip, a package arrived for Heids. It was a Churango, a ukelelee type string instrument that originally was made out of armadillo shell, though much to Heids disappointment was only an immitation of the shell). Anyway, we just threw it in the car and not having a turning fork she was frustrated in not getting it tuned....so back to dinner. While cooking dinner we noticed a campsite that had guitars, so Heids went over to see if they could help. Would you believe that the teenage son actually had a Churango himself (not with him) and was familiar with how to tune. What are the odds? Anyway dinner was good and sleep came quickly.


Sunday morning we broke camp and headed up the highway to Moab. One of my goals was to do the new Intrepid trail which starts at Dead Horse Point visitor center. This is a 9.5 mile loop (although they have two other shorter loops one can do). I have to tell you it is a winner! It follows the rim for some way with the views that you get at DHPoint. The trail is quite rideable but does have alot of areas that provide some challenge, though none that would be expert. Just beyond half way you get into what I call cruisin trail with roller coaster type up and down and round and round. Throw on the cushy shock and just enjoy! This is a trail I would be happy to do again and again. We only encountered one other rider, but there must have been dozens on it as the parking lot was mobbed. Somehow we missed the crush.










All in all, a wonderful weekend. I'm afraid I may have created a new monster in Heidi and she has caught the MB bug. Should make for many fun trips in the future.
Dave 4-29-10

My Heliskiing Adventure

OK, so a huge dream of mine was to do some backcountry powder skiing, and if you could throw in a helicopter, all the better. The opportunity came to me in January as the hunting outfit who operates the lodge and hunting on my employers property were exploring using the lodge as a base for heliskiing in the Uinta mountains.

The lodge itself is the finest log structure I have ever seen, and I have seen many in my time. It is beautifully constructed and you do not see any gaps, or caulking between the huge logs it is contructed from. From the picture I have included you can see a suspended tree truck holding up one of the roof trusses. This along with a fine chef for the meals really set a nice vibe to the whole trip. I arrived the evening before the adventure and we had a nice gormet meal. Our guide arrived that evening and we went over some of the safety points and other details to save time the next morning.

With heliskiing, weather is everything and there is no guarantee that the bird can fly. So all of us (there were six in the party), kept our fingers crossed that the weather would cooperate. The next morning our wish was granted and after a night time dusting of new powder the skies started to clear. We contacted our bird and he was headed over from Bountiful where it is based. It was really exciting when it flew in and landed.

I was with a group of six skiiers and 2 guides. We were ferried from the lodge to Uinta Mountains on Thousand Peaks Ranch...and then all the fun began. Wide bowls of untracked snow. I would say the powder was about six to eight inches deep. Blue sky, untract snow, and wide open spaces.

The guide always were first and indicated which side of his line we were to stay on. I usually hung back and went toward the last, perhaps my lack of confidence. But I never took a fall and never held anyone up.

It was interesting to see the guides work to create a landing zone for the "bird" as it could not land on a powder base. They really hustled and I would have been exhaused doing what they did. So a few more pics showing some of the bowls, and if you are real good you can see the tracks we left in the snow.

The guides provided for lunch, which consisted of superb soup and sandwitches. Here is a pic of the snowcat which was also utilized in the afternoon and us eating lunch.

Anyway, it was a great experience and I'm glad I did it. Would love to try it again some time.