Spring '11, Big ADV ride

[Greg]

Anyone up for 4 days of Adventure riding around Southern Utah? I'm thinking of spending some time riding from Hite thru the Maze to Poison Springs canyon, then into the Swell... or over towards the Henry Mountains and Capitol Reef NP?

The trip would be suited more for bigger, street legal road-trip friendly dirt bikes loaded up with gear. Depending on where we end up each evening, I think it would be nice to camp one night, then get a hotel the next. Break up the camping with showers and decent beds.

I would probably ride from Fruita to Hite and start at Hite. People coming from elsewhere could probably park trucks at Hanksville and ride to Hite? Or we could just meet at Hanksville and ride to Hite on the highway?

I'm thinking Memorial Day weekend... Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon. May 27-30th.

Bikes will need to be in tip-top shape, capable of riding 150+ miles on a tank of gas, up for running down the highway, hauling all needed gear, food, water, etc.

I don't know the trails in this area very well, which it exactly why I want to ride it... so anyone that wants to help with the trip planning, research and finding good GPS routes is more than welcome to pitch in.

 

[dieslcruisrhead]

temping for sure! the only issue is that is a tough weekend right now. Would you be up for some other time frame?

 

[Greg]

temping for sure! the only issue is that is a tough weekend right now. Would you be up for some other time frame?

Have a suggestion for dates that would be better?

Memorial Day weekend is best for me at this point, since it's a 4 day weekend.

My concern is that it's going to get much warmer in the desert any later than the end of May. I'm trying to time it right where it's not super-hot in the desert, but the roads over the Henrys aren't loaded with snow.

 

[Greg]

I did find this ride report, with an attached GSP track of their entire ride. I'm mostly interested in the Hite to Poison Springs canyon route.

http://sites.google.com/site/gpskevin/roulette72

 

[DAA]

Greg, I've driven most of the roads in the Maze, including Hite and Poison springs and have GPS stuff for them. Would be glad to get the tracks to you if you want them. But, to ride up from Hite and then out Poison springs, you don't need any GPS coords or anything. Hell, just stay on the road until the four way at Water Hole Flat, then take a left and stay on it till you get back to the hiway! Navigating that route really is just that simple. Be almost impossible to take a wrong turn off of either road. Or to miss the turn to Poison springs, as it's the only four-way, "major intersection" you'll see and is well signed.

- DAA

 

[Ogre Palowakski]

I would reeeaaaally love to do this but I don't quite have the bike for it.

I take mine off road all the time. I've ridden the Pony Express Trail and have even ridden it all the way to the rock garden in AF Canyon but there's no way I'd keep up with dual sports in rough terrain :-\

 

[Greg]

Greg, I've driven most of the roads in the Maze, including Hite and Poison springs and have GPS stuff for them. Would be glad to get the tracks to you if you want them. But, to ride up from Hite and then out Poison springs, you don't need any GPS coords or anything. Hell, just stay on the road until the four way at Water Hole Flat, then take a left and stay on it till you get back to the hiway! Navigating that route really is just that simple. Be almost impossible to take a wrong turn off of either road. Or to miss the turn to Poison springs, as it's the only four-way, "major intersection" you'll see and is well signed.

- DAA

Dave, thanks for the info... I think I have what I need as far as GPS info and you're totally right, there's not much to the trails in that area. I'm not really worried about it, but having that much more info would be nice. Other than a trip into the Maze, I haven't spent a lot of time right there... just want to be prepared!

I would reeeaaaally love to do this but I don't quite have the bike for it.

I take mine off road all the time. I've ridden the Pony Express Trail and have even ridden it all the way to the rock garden in AF Canyon but there's no way I'd keep up with dual sports in rough terrain :-\

Yeah, you don't quite have the right bike for a ride like this... plus, fording the Muddy Creek might cause some problems, too.

 

[Ogre Palowakski]

Yeah, you don't quite have the right bike for a ride like this... plus, fording the Muddy Creek might cause some problems, too.

It's too bad 'cause I could cook burritos for everyone on my cylinders back at camp!

 

[DAA]

... plus, fording the Muddy Creek might cause some problems, too.

I'm sure it will be a complete non-issue for you guys by Memorial Day. But, we actually changed our route to exit The Maze via Hite instead of Poison springs two weeks ago because the Dirty Devil was running so high!

And... Since you mentioned Muddy Creek (but I think you meant Dirty Devil)... Three weeks ago, I did cross Muddy Creek in my Jeep, just north of I-70 and my Jeep started floating downstream half way across! Heck, it was only maybe 30 feet wide and I wasn't EVEN expecting it to be that deep. Got my attention in a big way . Made it all the way across just fine. But then immediately turned around and crossed back. I was going to have to come back that way in a few hours anyway and didn't want to take a chance on it rising anymore in the meantime!

- DAA

 

[Greg]

I'm sure it will be a complete non-issue for you guys by Memorial Day. But, we actually changed our route to exit The Maze via Hite instead of Poison springs two weeks ago because the Dirty Devil was running so high!

And... Since you mentioned Muddy Creek (but I think you meant Dirty Devil)... Three weeks ago, I did cross Muddy Creek in my Jeep, just north of I-70 and my Jeep started floating downstream half way across! Heck, it was only maybe 30 feet wide and I wasn't EVEN expecting it to be that deep. Got my attention in a big way . Made it all the way across just fine. But then immediately turned around and crossed back. I was going to have to come back that way in a few hours anyway and didn't want to take a chance on it rising anymore in the meantime!

- DAA

I hope it's a non-issue, but honestly, I'm not sure that we will be rideable!! I hope so, need to do some research on runoff rates over Memorial Day.

Yeah, I meant Dirty Devil... was looking at the Muddy Creek for another days' ride. I'd like to head into the Southern end of the Swell after Poison Springs canyon.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

As Dave mentioned, both the Dirty Devil and Muddy Creek will be running hot this year ~150% snow pack feeding both of them, just depends on what the spring weather does to us. Last year the Dirty Devil was running really calm at Memorial Day, the year before it flashed to nearly 9 feet Keep in mind the entire Poison Springs canyon is wet much of the year, I've not done it on a bike but given my experience in a 4x4 I'd venture to say it could be nearly impassible or downright miserable on a bike as well during the wet season. Link to the flow data at both sites here:
http://www.expeditionutah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1393

You can search the flow data for that same weekend in previous years just to give you an idea. Worst case you have to re-route through Hans Flat, however it adds a bunch of miles before fuel.

I'd love to join you for a big ride, May is rough for me (Memorial Day is a BORE race) and my bike isn't setup for a big ride like that.

 

[Greg]

As Dave mentioned, both the Dirty Devil and Muddy Creek will be running hot this year ~150% snow pack feeding both of them, just depends on what the spring weather does to us. Last year the Dirty Devil was running really calm at Memorial Day, the year before it flashed to nearly 9 feet Keep in mind the entire Poison Springs canyon is wet much of the year, I've not done it on a bike but given my experience in a 4x4 I'd venture to say it could be nearly impassible or downright miserable on a bike as well during the wet season. Link to the flow data at both sites here:
http://www.expeditionutah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1393

You can search the flow data for that same weekend in previous years just to give you an idea. Worst case you have to re-route through Hans Flat, however it adds a bunch of miles before fuel.

I'd love to join you for a big ride, May is rough for me (Memorial Day is a BORE race) and my bike isn't setup for a big ride like that.

Yeah, perhaps I ought to plan a trip that doesn't require fording either the Dirty Devil or Muddy Creek mid-Spring.... I'd really like to see that area next month, but either re-route it or take the 4x4. I'll have no problem with more miles and extra fuel, but not everyone packs around 8 gallons. :greg: Like I said, I don't know Poison Springs canyon at all, so that's some great info! I'd still like to ride it, perhaps Fall would be a better time?

That's a great link Kurt... Thanks!

It wouldn't take much to setup your bike for a big ride... We need to ride again, even more so around the Swell/Moab!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I don't know Poison Springs canyon at all, so that's some great info! I'd still like to ride it, perhaps Fall would be a better time?

Generally speaking its dry in the fall, that said add a little rain preceding your trip and is hole after hole full of water. This was part of our Utah Cruiser Expedition trip last fall:

(photo courtesy of Adam T.)

That's a great link Kurt... Thanks!

Figured you would like it

It wouldn't take much to setup your bike for a big ride... We need to ride again, even more so around the Swell/Moab!

I'm hoping to have my shop back to 100% by the end of May, that will free up a bunch of my time (and money)... fingers crossed. I really want to repeat the UCE on a bike, have a single vehicle run sag wagon. We found some creative ways that the vehicles could ditch sections and meet us at arranged base camps. Not sure it will happen in 2011 though, maybe fall of 2012?

 

[Greg]

Generally speaking its dry in the fall, that said add a little rain preceding your trip and is hole after hole full of water. This was part of our Utah Cruiser Expedition trip last fall:

(photo courtesy of Adam T.)

Figured you would like it

I'm hoping to have my shop back to 100% by the end of May, that will free up a bunch of my time (and money)... fingers crossed. I really want to repeat the UCE on a bike, have a single vehicle run sag wagon. We found some creative ways that the vehicles could ditch sections and meet us at arranged base camps. Not sure it will happen in 2011 though, maybe fall of 2012?

I'll keep that in mind, Fall... make sure it's dry before the trip! I love that photo!

I'd totally be in for a UCE ride on the dual sports, IMO if the roads and weather were good, it would be a much quicker trip. I'd love to make the Southern UT Traverse on a dual sport as well... I think it could be done in 3 days if a decent pace was maintained.






So this ride happened last weekend... Dirty Devil action...

http://naggan.com/movies/dirtydevilcrossing.mov

I don't think I'll be attempting this during the Spring runoff.

 

[Caleb]

I'd love to do a big ride, but I don't think my current bike could handle having to have gear packed on it. I think our Moab ride was about it's max. If there was a chase vehicle we could put gear in, I'd be game...but that takes away form the ADV spirit of the ride

 

[plaidfro]

So this ride happened last weekend... Dirty Devil action...

http://naggan.com/movies/dirtydevilcrossing.mov

I don't think I'll be attempting this during the Spring runoff.

Wow.... poor dude with the submerged bike.. that could get real ugly.

Pull out the inflatable kayaks for another month

This is the San Rafael River between Fullers Bottom and the San Rafael Campground at the end of Buckhorn Wash. This was flowing at 200cfs and will be for the next month as they are releasing plenty of water out of Joe's Reservoir.

 

[Greg]

I'd love to do a big ride, but I don't think my current bike could handle having to have gear packed on it. I think our Moab ride was about it's max. If there was a chase vehicle we could put gear in, I'd be game...but that takes away form the ADV spirit of the ride

I'm not sure what the subframe looks like on the CRF450X, but something like a Giant Loop bag could go a long ways. The toughest thing on a bike over bigger rides is gear on the back.

And yeah... chase vehicles are no fun. Piling on 800 unsupported miles in a long weekend is fun! That huge Bookcliffs/Swell trip I did last year was great... I'm itching for something like that again.

Wow.... poor dude with the submerged bike.. that could get real ugly.

Pull out the inflatable kayaks for another month

This is the San Rafael River between Fullers Bottom and the San Rafael Campground at the end of Buckhorn Wash. This was flowing at 200cfs and will be for the next month as they are releasing plenty of water out of Joe's Reservoir.

Here's the rest of the report- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15776072#post15776072

Doesn't look like they were stopped for too long and got the bike back up and running fairly quick. The kayaks look like a blast! Great beta about the water release over the next month, I'll pass on taking on the Dirty Devil on the dual sport... for now.

 

[Caleb]

I'm not sure what the subframe looks like on the CRF450X, but something like a Giant Loop bag could go a long ways. The toughest thing on a bike over bigger rides is gear on the back.

And yeah... chase vehicles are no fun. Piling on 800 unsupported miles in a long weekend is fun! That huge Bookcliffs/Swell trip I did last year was great... I'm itching for something like that again.

There pretty much isn't a subframe on the 450X . I've actually got the bags to support it, I have the Wolfman E-10 Enduro Saddle bags and duffel bag, they fit perfectly on my bike. However, I don't think my bike can support gas, water, sleeping gear, etc even with all the compact/lightweight stuff I have.

 

[Greg]

There pretty much isn't a subframe on the 450X . I've actually got the bags to support it, I have the Wolfman E-10 Enduro Saddle bags and duffel bag, they fit perfectly on my bike. However, I don't think my bike can support gas, water, sleeping gear, etc even with all the compact/lightweight stuff I have.

Gotcha... well then, we need to plan out some killer, smaller trips where we don't need all that gear and can stay in hotels! Just carry the bare minimum, 100 oz of water on our backs and enough gas to go 150 miles or so, to the next gas station! I'm sure we could find some great loops using Green River & Hanksville as base camp.

 

[Rot Box]

Ughh.... I could so get addicted to 4 day cruises camping out along the way--sounds like so much fun! :chris: One day I'll find my little mule (or better yet the cash to buy one) capable of such an adventure.