WWR Day 34 Fish Lake to Sunglow CG
WWR Day 34 Fish Lake to Sunglow CG
Wed Sept 11, 2019
Distance 26
Start elevation 8885:
End elevation 7250
High point probably 8885'
Low point 7020'
Climbing about 700'??
Ride time 2:40
Total time about 5:30
Days bike camping: 23
Contiguous days riding : 5
The thunder gods held their Fishlake opera last night, bellowing booming notes near and far. Rained heavy at times, pushed by wicked winds.
Tent kept me dry though, and kinda of cool watching and listening the the show taking place just a couple thin layers of tent away.
The thunder gods are done but there is an encore shower just as I am waking up, this is getting to be a pattern. Monsoon moisture the weather man said. Well it hasn't prevented me from riding, mostly rains at nigh or early morning and then old Sol pops out to dry things out enough.
While there is some blue sky this morn, there are clouds building to the west, and the wind from this front still has some serious teeth. This will be a short day, and was thinking of poking around a bit up here at Fish Lake. But the dark clouds building and wafting through change my mind, and decide to head directly down down down to Loa while I have weather on my side. I need to resuppy in Loa, and am hoping for lunch at the recommended cafe.
It is mostly sunny as I start down the single track riding through Pando. I pass the fenced aspen kindergarten, protected from the ungulates predators and yes, there are many samplings.
I ride through sage parklands bordered by groves of aspen's, at least, until the descent begins on earnest. The drainage is chock full of broken volcanic rock and a dry ecosystem, and I am picking my way through at times and let it rip when a smooth section presents. The road is lined with yellows flowers a good deal of the way. Miles away I see Loa from above, my initial destination for the descent.
The ever present southwest wind must be 15-25,mph. Sometimes it helps but more often it is in my face. Glad I am losing elevation today.
In loa, I check the gotecadt. The weather is supposed to break today, and one reason I taking a shorter day since riding uphill with a headwind into weather, well, just doesn't sound like fun. In Loa the high was 61, gist up to ,28 mph, with a low of 34 for tonight!
I get lunch at the cafe, conviently it rains while I am indoors, eating, catching up on research, and charging a battery. Next is 2 stops for groceries, and onto Bicknell 7 miles away on pleasant back roads.
After passing through Bicknell and it Curry Pizza joint ( Indian food and Pizza, finally together!!), I turn up FS Rd to the campground, which is red rock canyon country. I am only 15ish miles from Capitol Reef NP.
I set up camp just in timefor a strong storm cell to come through with big wind, rain , and little hail. That is the fronts last hurrah, as the skies clear as predicted for a sunny evening, and the next few days should be warmer, dry, and less windy. Sounds perfect for my Boulder mountain, Aquarius Plateau transit to Bryce.
If I hike the hill behind the campsite, I can get a cell signal, and some great views, both of which I avail myself to.
Wed Sept 11, 2019
Distance 26
Start elevation 8885:
End elevation 7250
High point probably 8885'
Low point 7020'
Climbing about 700'??
Ride time 2:40
Total time about 5:30
Days bike camping: 23
Contiguous days riding : 5
The thunder gods held their Fishlake opera last night, bellowing booming notes near and far. Rained heavy at times, pushed by wicked winds.
Tent kept me dry though, and kinda of cool watching and listening the the show taking place just a couple thin layers of tent away.
The thunder gods are done but there is an encore shower just as I am waking up, this is getting to be a pattern. Monsoon moisture the weather man said. Well it hasn't prevented me from riding, mostly rains at nigh or early morning and then old Sol pops out to dry things out enough.
While there is some blue sky this morn, there are clouds building to the west, and the wind from this front still has some serious teeth. This will be a short day, and was thinking of poking around a bit up here at Fish Lake. But the dark clouds building and wafting through change my mind, and decide to head directly down down down to Loa while I have weather on my side. I need to resuppy in Loa, and am hoping for lunch at the recommended cafe.
It is mostly sunny as I start down the single track riding through Pando. I pass the fenced aspen kindergarten, protected from the ungulates predators and yes, there are many samplings.
I ride through sage parklands bordered by groves of aspen's, at least, until the descent begins on earnest. The drainage is chock full of broken volcanic rock and a dry ecosystem, and I am picking my way through at times and let it rip when a smooth section presents. The road is lined with yellows flowers a good deal of the way. Miles away I see Loa from above, my initial destination for the descent.
The ever present southwest wind must be 15-25,mph. Sometimes it helps but more often it is in my face. Glad I am losing elevation today.
In loa, I check the gotecadt. The weather is supposed to break today, and one reason I taking a shorter day since riding uphill with a headwind into weather, well, just doesn't sound like fun. In Loa the high was 61, gist up to ,28 mph, with a low of 34 for tonight!
I get lunch at the cafe, conviently it rains while I am indoors, eating, catching up on research, and charging a battery. Next is 2 stops for groceries, and onto Bicknell 7 miles away on pleasant back roads.
After passing through Bicknell and it Curry Pizza joint ( Indian food and Pizza, finally together!!), I turn up FS Rd to the campground, which is red rock canyon country. I am only 15ish miles from Capitol Reef NP.
I set up camp just in timefor a strong storm cell to come through with big wind, rain , and little hail. That is the fronts last hurrah, as the skies clear as predicted for a sunny evening, and the next few days should be warmer, dry, and less windy. Sounds perfect for my Boulder mountain, Aquarius Plateau transit to Bryce.
If I hike the hill behind the campsite, I can get a cell signal, and some great views, both of which I avail myself to.
Hey Dan, been away for a while, out in Telluride now. Checking out the blog site. Looks like a tremendous ride. Your effort into the blog is incredible. Photos are impressive. Stay safe! Check back along the way. Harry
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the music fest, and stay safe right back at ya. ;-)
DeleteLooks like you will be entering Lake Powell country soon.
ReplyDeleteFond memories!
Glancing blow in the red rock country, route takes me over Bryce to Kanab. I have a choice south and up to the cooler, but more difficult Kaibab Plateau on the north Rim; or straight shot to Marble canyon and desolate and dry Navajo land to South Rim.
ReplyDelete