Gooseberry Mesa, and the trails in surrounding southern Utah are by far the most fun I have ever had on a MTB. Two trips out there is just not enough to really appreciate the area. It is a great change from rocks, roots and wet leaves.
Gooseberry Mesa & Southern Utah
Brain Head. Over 11,000 feet high in this shot. That speck on the trail is Garth.
Smiling at 11,000 feet takes lots of energy.
We hit Brain Head one week after the close of season. The trails were ours.
No pollution makes for a really blue sky.
Cedar Breaks. Just down the road from the summit.
Cedar Breaks, no riding allowed.
Sun setting on the day. This shot taken on the way down from Brian Head.
Garth gets to work on our rental rigs.
New Cannondale Prophets were our rentals for the trip.
The terrain at Gooseberry Mesa.
Follow the white dots if you have never been to Gooseberry Mesa.
This shot gives you an idea of how much traction there is on “Slickrock”.
I’m obviously having a great time.
Watching the locals get in a lunch break ride.
Hidden Canyon on Gooseberry is way cool. About 10 degrees cooler in summer than the top.
Hitting the JEM trail. It follows the river and if you aren’t careful, you’ll fall in.
Garth at the top of the JEM trail.
These were the actual colors after a short rainstorm.
Heading out on the Stucki Springs trail.
Great ride out in the desert on an 85 degree day.
Soon after I took this shot I hit the dirt at 35mph. Limestone is hard.
Bandaged up from yesterday’s mishap.
Morgan getting ready to lead us out at Little Creek.
Talk about endless lines. This place is awesome.
Little Creek with Zion National Park in the background.
Garth and I stop for a scenic shot of Little Creek.
Zion in the background.
Sunset from within Zion.
Garth & Morgan discuss trail building at Gooseberry Mesa.
Looking down to the road where we came in.
Morgan points out how to get to the end of Gooseberry.
North side of Gooseberry, looking down. A thousand feet down.
Getting some grip.
Lots of dirt roads traveled to get to the trailheads.
Nice paved walk within the canyons of Zion.
Bear Claw Poppy trail.
Garth hitting the Acid drops.
Surfing the red sands of Church Rocks.
The Church Rock trail was a great ride.
Unusual trail head though.
The view from the airport in St. George, UT.
Utah has plenty of fossils just laying about.
You could do a track stand on the down slope the rock was so sticky.
Garth climbing up a roller at Gooseberry Mesa with Zion in the background.
