Last Bit of Desert...

Our sweet camp, what a bitchin place.

 

 Before heading back north on Sunday, we scored another ride on the Waterfall singletrack.  Sweet little bridge.

 Me and the Capt, fun trail. 

The crew! 

Not everything involves fumes....

 Yea, Yea, Yea, I know.......Trevor used to hike for a living, now, he never hikes.  Blah, Blah, Blah.  Well, I still use my two feet to get to cool places every now and again.  The Happes and I went for an evening hike down Crack Canyon in the Goblin Valley one of the nights we were down there last weekend.  It was super cool.  I like stitching together photos to make sweet panoramas.  

Shannon, almost 6 months preggers, rockin, and me, well, enjoying a frosty beverage.  

 

 I like it when places are so cool that you get a stiff neck looking around at your kickbutt surroundings.  

 I had just enough energy to jump slot canyons after the Five Miles to Hell.  

Happe, pregnant, and missing her moto. 

Five Miles Of Hell

 It seems pretty rare that you get to ride a "world famous" dirtbike ride, but this past weekend, we did just that.  Depending upon who you talk to and what you are willing to believe on the Internet, the "Five Miles of Hell" trail, created by the Sage Riders (amazing moto coalition in Utah) is one of the tougher, if not the toughest moto trails in the contry.  Well, my body is still so damn so typing this blog out four days later and I have the bruises to collaborate.  Five miles of hell was very close to where we were camping and we had all heard so much about its legendary toughness we had to give it a go.  It took us 4 hours to go 5 miles, we never left first gear for the whole ride, we got spanked, but hot damn, we finished it, made it out alive, and had smiles on our faces at the end.  

I really took so few pictures as there were next to no good place to get off the bike and feel safe standing in the line of whomever was coming up at you out of control.  

Matt, negotiating a pretty easy line for Five Miles of Hell.

 This climb was so burly.  Rock step ups, sand at the bottom, really tough.  

 The first major crux.  This was a group ahead of us getting a bike up via brute strength.  Much of the day was all about teamwork.

 Me, picking my way through a no fall zone.

 Pictures never do the steepness justice.  Me, trying to sort my life out after a pretty hard fall and the boys getting mentally prepared for yet another ball bustin climb.

The really stoked crew, after finishing the Five Miles of Hell.  Steve, Curt (nice legs dude), Matt, and Me.  

If you wanna see some video of Five miles of Hell, just hit it up on Youtube, there are videos all over the place.

Seriously Can't Get Enough Of the Desert.

 One tends to realize that you are pretty much "over winter" when you decide to go to the desert literally at the last minute, and also miss the closing day at the ski hill.  Well, all it really took was Chels encouraging as she had a ton of work to do and one look at the really, really crappy weather forecast for Jackson....., and off we went!  

Note to the world, do not try to rob Curt's RV, this bumper sticker he has on it is a trueism.  

 The desert rat crew went down to a bit of a different area this time in the Goblin Valley.  It is south of I-70 on the way to Hanksville.  Amazing place.  

Having some of out best buds, and family in SLC, not to mention a love of riding moto, has perpetuated  a huge desire to get to the desert more than the once a year like we used to back in the day.  

Matt and Steve, on the "Orange Trail", second ride of the day, happy.  

 Yep, Happe sending.  Soon to be dad, in his 40's, you inspire Happe...

The photo of course doesn't do the steepness justice, but damn, I can assure you, Happe was grabbing a handful and footfull of brake.

 

 If Happe is inspiring in his 40's, well........Curt downright dominates his 50's!  Curt, every time we are lucky enough to hang out I am inspired by you that growing old can be done well, with serious adventure, and with a ton of fun.  Curt, going large, yep, he is 54.

 The first day we were there we got two rides in, then, can back to camp, found a nice kicker, and hit it repeatedly until the call of a cold beer became too damn strong. 

Riding grippy ridges on a moto is really fun.  

 

 Steve, cleaning a tough section on the "Waterfall Trail."  This righteous singletrack was just out our back step from camp.  THanks for motivating to get out of Jackson Steve for the weekend.   You are the man!

Camp....Doesn't get any better.  You can see to the south the Henry Mountains with snow on the peaks that get close to 12,000ft and to the south of them is Lake Powell.  We are already planning another trip in a few weeks.  Can't wait.

I just might have......

The best lunch breaks around!  While I can't freaking wait for summer and doing power road rides into Grand Teton National Park on my lunch break, April is dominated by skin and slush missions across the street at the King.  The hill always closes the weekend of the Hillclimb which means from then until there isnt enough to ski on anymore, (sometimes two months worth) is there for the taking.  Nothing is better than shorts, t shirt, and 45 degree steep corn turns on your lunch break.  Ahhhhhh. 

A little Easter hike

On Easter, Trev and I decided to hike the pass and make some slushy turns down Glory, something we don't do together that often. It was the perfect way to spend a warm sunny Sunday together.

 

 Thumbs up to the Teton view!

 Trevor doing his best GQ pose.

 Of course we stopped for some refreshments and a snack at the top.

 And some headstand acrobatics.

 

Which was actually a little difficult to maneuver with ski boots on!

 

A great spring day together...and as much as I love love love winter, I am getting excited for some more sunny days!

Coming to a Close.

 There always seems to be so much finality to lift skiing here in Jackson.  This past weekend felt like spring!  It was sunny, warm, and slushy.  

Also, it was the last event weekend for Race Crew.  The boys, on the tram dock, 7 am load for the Pole Pedal Paddle.  

 And the ensuing parking lot party the swelled in size and stoke long after this photo was taken.

 Then a concern and fireworks show.  Always sweet. 

 And our most prolific visitor, LizzDogger hung all weekend long and enjoyed in the festivities.  

We love you Lizzy.

Early morning groomin...