Moab UT Day 3 Prichett Canyon, Kane Creek Rim. Kane Creek 04-14-07
Unfortunately Day 3. This is our last riding day for this wonderful trip. I cannot tell you all how much fun I have had. Between such good friends and the excellent technical trails, gorgeous scenery and all the Royism's. I don't know what was the best. We all had such a good time watching Hoonson's videos after this days ride in the hotel room. My stomach hurt from laughing sooooo much. Thanks everyone for a great time.
We saved the best for last. We are doing Prichett Canyon a #5 rated trail, followed up with Kane Creek Rim and Kane Creek. We added 1 new Outlaw for this ride so the cast of characters are RoyD, Montanarider (Jim), Azgolfer (Jeff) Jeff Henson, Art, Robert, (MD700) Mike, Mont (from Price UT) and me Azquadrider (Don).
The first part of Prichett Canyon is so beautiful it lulls you into thinking this is going to be a nice scenic ride, but those thoughts are quickly erased when you come to the 1st of many tough obstacles. I almost went over on the 1st big stair step ledges. When I came to them I looked for the line we took last time and thought I could go right up. That was a wrong thought as the stair steps threw me sideways and backwards. I was in the process of bailing when help arrived. This area turned out to be tougher than it looked for everyone, but with some teamwork we all made it without any problems. There are a few more technical spots before you get to one called Rocker Knocker. This is not doable IMO on a quad unless you winch. Even the go around is tough. Azgolfer was looking for a go around for the go around but there was none to be found. He did really like the off camber part though. Around the corner there is a big arch to the west and a hole in the rock to the east that are brilliant.
This is where you are really tested. After surveying the rock climbs we decided to take the line along the road that was somewhat off camber. We had to winch up just the 1st rock face because it was so much more dug out this time over last fall. There is a winch point that was put in on top of the rocks which we used. Once on top of the 1st rock we unhooked the winch and helped with ropes. After this spot there is another big ledge to claw your way up with the help of ropes. Then you come to a long steep hill climb with a ledge to go over at the top. This looks intimidating when you pull up but after doing it before it was not to bad. Traction is excellent but you have to be easy on the throttle or you can go over backwards. We all made it again with no problems. Montana Jim even got a little extra riding time.
Shortly after this we stopped for lunch near some arches. Roy had the best quote " Wow, 4 miles of riding and we are stopping for lunch" You see Roy usually rides 100+ miles a day and we were averaging about 35 miles and taking all day to do it. That is with plenty of stops to take in the scenery of course. One thing about Moab it is so beautiful make sure you take the time to look around.
As we hit the trail again we turn onto Kane Creek Rim with Mont leading us. We were going to do Behind the Rocks but went to plan C. As it turns out we all loved Kane Creek Rim. Outstanding views of Kane Creek Canyon plus we took a side road to some other arches. One that was very unique was Picture Frame Arch. It is a square arch. I climbed up inside the arch and took some photos of the group. Next we came to the sand dunes where there was a guy wearing a girls bathing suit top but without a helmet doing jumps. Not smart but it's his life not mine. This trail then ends at highway 191.
I stopped a couple of single track guys to ask them how far on 191 to the entrance of Kane Creek. They said about 2.25 miles so off we went. Just like they said we turned in at the gate and dropped into Kane Creek. Yea, there was water. A little ways into this trail we came across a group of single track riders that were having trouble on a gnarly hill climb with ledges. One young girl tried her heart out to make it up by herself because she was offered $100 if she could make it. She made a valiant effort and even went over backwards but ran out of steam. After they got up the said let's see you guys do that. Well the train started and we went right down as they watched in disbelief. There is some of the best scenery along this trail, it is truly amazing. We went along the canyon wall and played in the water until we climbed out one more gnarly spot. Then it was twisting through the trees and making tons of water crossings. We kind of split into small groups to play along the way Azgolfer and I were doing a little cat and mouse trying to splash each other. I thought I had him the 1st time as I nailed the throttle from behind him to try to splash him but he was to fast for me and I caught a huge wave. What a blast. We stopped at one water crossing so I could take a few photos of Jeff blasting through the water. You cannot even see him in the photos.
When you come out of the trees for the last couple of miles the rocks are so red they almost hurt your eyes. There were a lot of John Wayne movies shot in this canyon. You can almost see the Indians on the canyon cliffs as you ride through.
The last few miles are on the main graded dirt road where you can relax and take in the sites. Along the way we came across some ladies climbing the cliff walls in ropes. One looks to be a young girl.
The last tally: trail 0 riders 9. One more time we kicked the trails butt.
Read MoreWe saved the best for last. We are doing Prichett Canyon a #5 rated trail, followed up with Kane Creek Rim and Kane Creek. We added 1 new Outlaw for this ride so the cast of characters are RoyD, Montanarider (Jim), Azgolfer (Jeff) Jeff Henson, Art, Robert, (MD700) Mike, Mont (from Price UT) and me Azquadrider (Don).
The first part of Prichett Canyon is so beautiful it lulls you into thinking this is going to be a nice scenic ride, but those thoughts are quickly erased when you come to the 1st of many tough obstacles. I almost went over on the 1st big stair step ledges. When I came to them I looked for the line we took last time and thought I could go right up. That was a wrong thought as the stair steps threw me sideways and backwards. I was in the process of bailing when help arrived. This area turned out to be tougher than it looked for everyone, but with some teamwork we all made it without any problems. There are a few more technical spots before you get to one called Rocker Knocker. This is not doable IMO on a quad unless you winch. Even the go around is tough. Azgolfer was looking for a go around for the go around but there was none to be found. He did really like the off camber part though. Around the corner there is a big arch to the west and a hole in the rock to the east that are brilliant.
This is where you are really tested. After surveying the rock climbs we decided to take the line along the road that was somewhat off camber. We had to winch up just the 1st rock face because it was so much more dug out this time over last fall. There is a winch point that was put in on top of the rocks which we used. Once on top of the 1st rock we unhooked the winch and helped with ropes. After this spot there is another big ledge to claw your way up with the help of ropes. Then you come to a long steep hill climb with a ledge to go over at the top. This looks intimidating when you pull up but after doing it before it was not to bad. Traction is excellent but you have to be easy on the throttle or you can go over backwards. We all made it again with no problems. Montana Jim even got a little extra riding time.
Shortly after this we stopped for lunch near some arches. Roy had the best quote " Wow, 4 miles of riding and we are stopping for lunch" You see Roy usually rides 100+ miles a day and we were averaging about 35 miles and taking all day to do it. That is with plenty of stops to take in the scenery of course. One thing about Moab it is so beautiful make sure you take the time to look around.
As we hit the trail again we turn onto Kane Creek Rim with Mont leading us. We were going to do Behind the Rocks but went to plan C. As it turns out we all loved Kane Creek Rim. Outstanding views of Kane Creek Canyon plus we took a side road to some other arches. One that was very unique was Picture Frame Arch. It is a square arch. I climbed up inside the arch and took some photos of the group. Next we came to the sand dunes where there was a guy wearing a girls bathing suit top but without a helmet doing jumps. Not smart but it's his life not mine. This trail then ends at highway 191.
I stopped a couple of single track guys to ask them how far on 191 to the entrance of Kane Creek. They said about 2.25 miles so off we went. Just like they said we turned in at the gate and dropped into Kane Creek. Yea, there was water. A little ways into this trail we came across a group of single track riders that were having trouble on a gnarly hill climb with ledges. One young girl tried her heart out to make it up by herself because she was offered $100 if she could make it. She made a valiant effort and even went over backwards but ran out of steam. After they got up the said let's see you guys do that. Well the train started and we went right down as they watched in disbelief. There is some of the best scenery along this trail, it is truly amazing. We went along the canyon wall and played in the water until we climbed out one more gnarly spot. Then it was twisting through the trees and making tons of water crossings. We kind of split into small groups to play along the way Azgolfer and I were doing a little cat and mouse trying to splash each other. I thought I had him the 1st time as I nailed the throttle from behind him to try to splash him but he was to fast for me and I caught a huge wave. What a blast. We stopped at one water crossing so I could take a few photos of Jeff blasting through the water. You cannot even see him in the photos.
When you come out of the trees for the last couple of miles the rocks are so red they almost hurt your eyes. There were a lot of John Wayne movies shot in this canyon. You can almost see the Indians on the canyon cliffs as you ride through.
The last few miles are on the main graded dirt road where you can relax and take in the sites. Along the way we came across some ladies climbing the cliff walls in ropes. One looks to be a young girl.
The last tally: trail 0 riders 9. One more time we kicked the trails butt.
