Chrissy, Amelia, and Marlene on Navajo Rocks, our favorite trail.
Horsethief Campground is the place to be in the Moab area. It’s a dry BLM campground. No water whatsoever and pit toilets, but great trail accessibility. The catch is, it’s very popular and first come, first served. So if you want to snag a spot, it’s best to be there mid morning. It’s 768 miles from our house. So we divided the drive into two stops: Virgin River Gorge and Green River State Park, which put us just a little over an hour from Horsethief. We snagged three spots for the group no problem. I guess all my stressing about getting a spot was for naught.
We spent six nights at Horsethief without going into the city of Moab. That makes me happy because the city is really congested. There was a total of six of us camping and biking. The Bennetts from the Central Coast and Marlene and Lauren from San Diego. Well six of us for one night. Lauren fell 1.25 miles into the first ride and screwed up her wrist. She finished the ride but her wrist was swollen, so the next morning she drove herself to the ER, and after that packed up and started driving home. She’s now in a cast.
Opal was home base. We all had post ride drinks and dinners together. It was reminiscent of the kind of camaraderie that took place decades ago on ski trips. We chatted about the trails, the challenging sections, and the beautiful scenery. The endorphin high lasted well into the evening.
Cory, Tim, and Josh from the Thursday night group I ride with, and three of their friends happened to be out in Moab the same time and came out to visit us and drink beers after their first ride. It was really nice of them.
We had some crazy weather, but luckily not while we were riding! Brace yourself for a lot of pictures. This post covers six days.
Good ol’ Virgin River Gorge campground. It still tickles me pink that it’s only $4 with my senior pass.
This bums me out…the Utah launch complex in Green River was a Cold War military subinstallation for White Sands Missile range. From 1964-1975 they launched Athena and other missiles hitting the target at White Sands. The concrete slabs were leftover from the old military base. It seemed like an important piece of history to me. Now all that remains are piles of concrete and rebar.
My fourth time riding Athena. It’s nowhere near a killer trail, the best way to describe it is strange and unlike any other terrain I’ve ridden.
Strange terrain.
Frank’s Pizza in Green River has seen better days, then again so has much of the town.
This is the first picture of Opal on the road. We were driving up the 313 heading to Horsethief and Marlene was following us in the Class C she rented and snapped the pic.
#46, or as I like to call it, the Chuck Muncie site.
Rodeo Loop, Amelia riding out of the picture, Lauren trailing behind. This was after Lauren fell.
Marlene, Lauren, and Amelia at the end of Rodeo, our first ride.
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Mike on Navajo Rocks Trail.
Marlene on the horizon.
Amelia and Chrissy
This gives you some perspective of the height of the sheer walls.
That’s Amelia, it’s quite a sensation to be riding surrounded by the grandeur of nature.
One of the many incredible views from the trails at Dead Horse State Park.
After the ride, we drove to the view point at Dead Horse State Park. That’s one of the many goosenecks of the Colorado River.
Look at those smiles! That’s Chrissy in the righthand corner.
For all the Princess Bride Fans
When it rains it’s a soothing pitter patter on Opal, but hail sounds like someone throwing gravel at her. This was 5:45am once the hail stopped.
On Friday, we took a day off of the bikes and had a leisurely morning. In the afternoon, we played tourists and went into Canyonlands National Park. That’s the White Rim with the Green River below it.
Amelia, Chrissy, and Mike walking up the Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail.
Upheaval Dome
Mesa Arch, I elbowed all the people out of the way so I could get a clean shot. Just kidding!
Let’s see if I can slip this one past the editor.
Our last ride was the Mag 7 area…
…which takes you to Gemini Bridges.
Mike and I are lucky guys to be riding with these three hot Mtb chicks!
Opal in all her glory. We all knew a fabulous sunset was brewing.
Fabulous
😀
Wish I could have joined you all! Let me know if you are headed that way in the Spring.
Patricia Mullen
President
Builders Site Protection, Inc.
541-633-7793
http://www.buildsitepro.com http://www.buildsitepro.com
Certified WBE, ESB
GORGEOUS country that I’ll only see in your pictures!! You two were made for each other that’s for sure.
thanks Berni!
Super fun to have had a beer with you guys at the campsite!
I really appreciate you guys stopping by! Sounds like you all loved Ahab
Beautiful!