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So the wife and I took off from nice and warm So. Cal. on Thursday afternoon for a long weekend trip in Utah. Our destination was St. George and then on to Gooseberry Mesa. Had been keeping an eye on the weather for over a week now. This would be out first trip out there in any other weather but HOT.....usually we end up going at the end of June/early July....95+. Weather forcasts showed highs about 50 and lows in the mid 20's.....damn cold when it is 75 & 55 in So. Cal. Rolled into our timeshare Thursday night....27 degrees...ouch.
Friday morning we got up and decided to do a ride through Zion Nat. Park. We brought the road bikes for this.....but I won't bore you with roadie pictures. Hovered around 40 degrees in the sun and way cooler in the shade.
After we returned to our timeshare, we figured we would have just enough time to take the mountain bikes out to Bear Claw Poppy trail....since it is only about 1/2 mile from where we are staying. Warmed up a bit....about 45 degrees and 3:30pm. Headed out and to the trailhead. Nice climb to get the body and legs warmed up. I must say, I am not used to having to bundle up layers of clothing to ride.
Here I am at the Trailhead
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The wife heading down the "3 Fingers of Death"(Hey, I didn't name them)
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Another shot of the wife riding the "3 Fingers of Death"
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The wife going down a little drop in
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Me doing a drop in.....why do they always look steeper when you are on top looking down?
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Me doing a small drop
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The wife on fun section of trail
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These trail markers were everywhere.....this is how it is supposed to be
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I am very impressed with the trail. It is in excellent condition and there are signs and trail marked everywhere. There was definately a lot of planning that went into this.
Saturday it was time for Gooseberry Mesa. Been here a few times and still find it new and exciting. Today it warmed up a bit....about 45, but did not feel that cold. Maybe it was all the interval riding at Gooseberry that does it. Did all of the usual trails...South Rim, North Rim, Yellow Trail, Hidden Canyon(by far my favorite). My wife is a very capable rider, she just forgets how tough some of this is to ride. Takes her a while to get into her groove out here.
Here is the wife on the Practice Loop
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Another Shot of the wife
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Damn this place is fun
![]()
The more I come to Utah, the more I love the way the desert looks
From the Mesa looking towards Zion
![]()
The wife enjoying the view
![]()
Other than the views, this is what Gooseberry is all about
![]()
Had to do it again
![]()
Me on a fun little downhill to switchback
![]()
The wife riding through Hidden Canyon
![]()
Had a great time. Can't wait to come back. I think next time we will try for sometime around late winter to early spring.
mtnbikej
Friday morning we got up and decided to do a ride through Zion Nat. Park. We brought the road bikes for this.....but I won't bore you with roadie pictures. Hovered around 40 degrees in the sun and way cooler in the shade.
After we returned to our timeshare, we figured we would have just enough time to take the mountain bikes out to Bear Claw Poppy trail....since it is only about 1/2 mile from where we are staying. Warmed up a bit....about 45 degrees and 3:30pm. Headed out and to the trailhead. Nice climb to get the body and legs warmed up. I must say, I am not used to having to bundle up layers of clothing to ride.
Here I am at the Trailhead
The wife heading down the "3 Fingers of Death"(Hey, I didn't name them)
Another shot of the wife riding the "3 Fingers of Death"
The wife going down a little drop in
Me doing a drop in.....why do they always look steeper when you are on top looking down?
Me doing a small drop
The wife on fun section of trail
These trail markers were everywhere.....this is how it is supposed to be
I am very impressed with the trail. It is in excellent condition and there are signs and trail marked everywhere. There was definately a lot of planning that went into this.
Saturday it was time for Gooseberry Mesa. Been here a few times and still find it new and exciting. Today it warmed up a bit....about 45, but did not feel that cold. Maybe it was all the interval riding at Gooseberry that does it. Did all of the usual trails...South Rim, North Rim, Yellow Trail, Hidden Canyon(by far my favorite). My wife is a very capable rider, she just forgets how tough some of this is to ride. Takes her a while to get into her groove out here.
Here is the wife on the Practice Loop
Another Shot of the wife
Damn this place is fun
The more I come to Utah, the more I love the way the desert looks
From the Mesa looking towards Zion
The wife enjoying the view
Other than the views, this is what Gooseberry is all about
Had to do it again
Me on a fun little downhill to switchback
The wife riding through Hidden Canyon
Had a great time. Can't wait to come back. I think next time we will try for sometime around late winter to early spring.
mtnbikej
