UT = Unexcelled Terrain (IMO)

fos'l

fos'l

Well-Known Member
Our eastern sierra hi-jinx were derailed by NF closures, so at the last minute my partner and I headed to Bryce Canyon for five days of fun. It was too late for camping reservations and all the "first come" sites were taken by the time we arrived, so we located a dispersed spot (no facilities or expense). Couldn't have been a better place since there were no other "guests within 1/4 to 1/2 of a mile and a beautiful meadow across the narrow dirt road.

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I went there in May, it was early in the morning, snowing and empty. I sat on that rim looking down, telling myself don't do it. They all pinch at one exit at the bridge so easy to bag and tag. But still kicking myself for letting common sense prevail over a thunderous 20 minute drop in the Hoodo's
 
Rode and hiked Thunder Mountain as well as part of Dave's Loop and several other trails. There were three Pronghorn deer, a mother and two little ones, that grazed in the meadow morning and evening, but unfortunately it was hunting season for them and the next to last day only the little ones showed up. This saddened and infuriated me. As usual our 2005 and 2009 SC Superlights, purchased at Switchback, were more than up to the task, even when we weren't. It was cold (down to 28 the last day), so the Outback became a "motorhome", since the alternative seemed like too much of an "in-tents" experience.

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Sorry same picture twice; meant to use a different one. Many more available.
 
Last one, and hope you're not bored. This could be a slide show with a picture of the deer across from our camp site, and Brayton Point, a neat short ride along Cassidy Trail to some great canyon visages (I told someone we were just Hoppin-along Cassidy for you old folks).

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I used to love that ride. I have only done it twice, but it was beyond scenic. :eek: :inlove: These days, I may not find it as awesome a trail as I used to, since my tastes have changed to the more chunky and ledgy stuff on offer in UT. But dayum - this is a must do. Calling @Danimal - you still have that bikeless rider video from Thunder Mountain?
 
Nice trip! Thunder mountain is a fun trail with gre5scene
herzalot said:
I used to love that ride. I have only done it twice, but it was beyond scenic. :eek: :inlove: These days, I may not find it as awesome a trail as I used to, since my tastes have changed to the more chunky and ledgy stuff on offer in UT. But dayum - this is a must do. Calling @Danimal - you still have that bikeless rider video from Thunder Mountain?
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That was what, like 2008. Good ride and still my jam. Great area and a fun ride for sure! Thanks for sharing the pics @fos'l :thumbsup:

I have the vid somewhere im sure, but finding it :rolleyes: is another story.
 
OK, I promise these are the last ones.
Three deer in the meadow across from our site. The mother was wary the first day, but stopped worrying after that.
Brayton Point, great views and fun trail there. Plus my wife's trusty SC Superlight. A relative baby at only 11 years old; mine is fifteen.
One of the above views.

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mountaingirl sara said:
Like @Faust29 said..not bored at all! I’d love to see that in person!
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Well, log off your computer and GO!!! It's a great ride for sure and a decent workout. If you want to work even harder and check out the area where Butch Cassidy and his gang supposedly holed up any times, check out the Cassidy Trail and Casto Canyon/Losee Loop nearby. Also some great scenery at times. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7045477/casto-cassidy-rich-losee-loop

Great photos @fos'l
 
mtbMike said:
Get off your computer and GO!!! It's a great ride for sure and a decent workout. If you ant to work even harder and check outage canyon where Butch Cassidy and his gang supposedly holed up any times, check out the Cassidy Trail and Casto Canyon/Losee Loop nearby. Also some great scenery at times. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7045477/casto-cassidy-rich-losee-loop
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Utah is awesome. For more than just bikes, but even for bikes it is awesome.

You won't be imprisoned, nor will your money be refused, if you're not Mormon.
 
@fos'l and anyone else, I have some questions on logistics: Where are the first-come campgrounds (presuming that means not reservation) that are best for tent camping. I hate tenting in RV land. And as a back up plan, where is the dispersed area you went to? I'm kicking around the idea of going out there with the fam, but I think they want more than a 5 gallon bucket as a crapper. Best option would be a primitive camping area with no water or electricity, but with vault toilets. Everyone is happy there!
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Utah is awesome. For more than just bikes, but even for bikes, it is awesome.

You won't be imprisoned, nor will your money be refused, if you're not Mormon.
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I had an intern from Salt Lake a few years back, she made UT sound like an outdoors person's heaven.

Cyclotourist said:
@fos'l and anyone else, I have some questions on logistics: Where are the first-come campgrounds (presuming that means not reservation) that are best for tent camping. I hate tenting in RV land. And as a back up plan, where is the dispersed area you went to? I'm kicking around the idea of going out there with the fam, but I think they want more than a 5 gallon bucket as a crapper. Best option would be a primitive camping area with no water or electricity, but with vault toilets. Everyone is happy there!
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Also, are there nearby hotels or rental houses?
 
We weren't able to get reservations in Bryce Canyon because our plans were extemporaneous and we arrived too late in the day for first come. There was no way we were staying in a motel. However, some of the National Forest in UT is open for free dispersed camping, but it is primitive meaning probably you'll have a cleared area for a tent. A primary implement is a small camping shovel, not a five gallon jug. The place we located was near Dave's Hollow (and Dave's Loop). I can get directions (we stumbled on it driving down a road where we heard there might be some spots).
 
fos'l said:
We weren't able to get reservations in Bryce Canyon because our plans were extemporaneous and we arrived too late in the day for first come. There was no way we were staying in a motel. However, some of the National Forest in UT is open for free dispersed camping, but it is primitive meaning probably you'll have a cleared area for a tent. A primary implement is a small camping shovel, not a five gallon jug. The place we located was near Dave's Hollow (and Dave's Loop). I can get directions (we stumbled on it driving down a road where we heard there might be some spots).
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Would be appreciated!

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Rte 12 toward Bryce to road sign for Tropic Reservoir (R) to AIR third left with a sign that says Dave's Hollow. Almost immediately you will see large flat areas where RVs park, but go a mile or so down the dirt road and just after going over a particularly bad imperfection in the road look for a clearing on the right with a fire ring and the scene in the first picture on the left. Just before and after this area there are a couple of other possibilities.
 
fos'l said:
Rte 12 toward Bryce to road sign for Tropic Reservoir (R) to AIR third left with a sign that says Dave's Hollow. Almost immediately you will see large flat areas where RVs park, but go a mile or so down the dirt road and just after going over a particularly bad imperfection in the road look for a clearing on the right with a fire ring and the scene in the first picture on the left. Just before and after this area there are a couple of other possibilities.
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Noted, thank you! I'm going to try to take the fam somewhere on a long-ish weekend these next few weeks... this might be it!
 
If you have any other questions, please ask. There is an amazing formation at Sunset ----- a couple of miles down the main road after going through the main gate (there's only one entrance AFAIK), but it was loaded with people, most of whom hadn't heard of social distancing or masks, so we took a couple of quick pictures and left. Maybe it will be less crowded when you go.
 
fos'l said:
If you have any other questions, please ask. There is an amazing formation at Sunset ----- a couple of miles down the main road after going through the main gate (there's only one entrance AFAIK), but it was loaded with people, most of whom hadn't heard of social distancing or masks, so we took a couple of quick pictures and left. Maybe it will be less crowded when you go.
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Well I'm definitely motivated to get up and out!!!
 
Red Canyon is the best campground to ride ThunderMountain. They have showers and You can ride from your campsite. If you are lucky, they also have telescope star gazing sessions often, pre covid of course. It is also a good base camp for doing bryce and day tripping into the escalante monument.

There is disersered camping near the trail head and before and after red canyon. And as fos'l said on the way to the reservoir.
 
beartooth said:
Red Canyon is the best campground to ride ThunderMountain. They have showers and You can ride from your campsite. If you are lucky, they also have telescope star gazing sessions often, pre covid of course. It is also a good base camp for doing bryce and day tripping into the escalante monument.

There is disersered camping near the trail head and before and after red canyon. And as fos'l said on the way to the reservoir.
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Thanks; we're planning another trip in the spring, and if our old haunt isn't available this will help. BTW, my wife checked the weather for next week; highs in the 50's, lows 20's. Brrrr!
 
beartooth said:
Red Canyon is the best campground to ride ThunderMountain. They have showers and You can ride from your campsite. If you are lucky, they also have telescope star gazing sessions often, pre covid of course. It is also a good base camp for doing bryce and day tripping into the escalante monument.

There is disersered camping near the trail head and before and after red canyon. And as fos'l said on the way to the reservoir.
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Appreciated, thanks!

Edit: Says open, but below says close Oct 1st? https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24944
 
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