TR: Traversing the Zion Curtain (Fruita-Moab-Fruita) w/Pics

[KneeDeep]

My wife and I had planned to take a short road trip to the Grand Junction area to visit some Nat'l Parks and other areas- but due to a last minute change of plans, I ended up doing the trip alone. Not a problem, as I just threw my mountain bike in the car and did a little more riding than expected (wife doesn't mountain bike). My first stop was Fruita's 18 Road trails. If you haven't been there, it's singletrack heaven... mostly smooth, flowy, trails that offer views to die for and a great atmosphere of fun riding. I did a few loops of Joe's Ridge/Kessel downhills, mixed in with a Zippety Do-Da loop.



After climbing Prime Cut, this view greets you at the top of Joe's Ridge:









I believe this is the Front Side Trail, cutting between Zippety and Joe's Ridge:





Going down Zippety:





The view to the west from the junction of Zippety and the Edge:





More Zippety goodness:





After a few hours of riding, I crossed the highway and made a quick drive through Colorado National Monument:









On Saturday, I had already planned to head down to Moab for the day. Not to ride, but instead to visit Canyonlands National Park. When I arrived, it was 35 degrees and snowing, so I thought for sure my photography trip was ruined. It turned out to be a blessing- the park was empty, and the skies cleared enough to capture some killer views and amazing scenery. For those of you who haven't been here, it's a must-do anytime you're in Moab. Simply amazing scenery and the beauty of the place is unmatched.



Looking out from the "Neck" near the Shaffer Trail:





The iconic Mesa Arch- I was one of three people here early in the morning. Not the typical sunset shot, but there wasn't a sunset that morning.





The view to the west when descending an unmarked trail:





That unmarked trail led to the False Kiva. Majestic.





The view to the west from the False Kiva.





Green River Overlook:





Looking back at the Candlestick tower from the opposite perspective of False Kiva:





From the Grand View Overlook:





One more of the Candlestick tower:





Back to Fruita on Sunday... despite the rain overnight on Saturday, I decided to check out the Kokopelli trails anyways. First car in the parking lot, and it wasn't hard to see why- 8:30 on Easter Sunday, 45 degrees with a strong chance of rain. I lucked out- I got in a Mary's-Horsethief-Wrangler (only part of Wrangler) loop... as I got into my car to drive home, it started pouring. Perfect timing. Not a lot of pics here because it was drizzling the whole time and I didn't have time to waste.



Overlooking the Colorado River from the Horsethief trail:





Once you turn back towards the cliffs, you're rewarded with this view to the west:





What a great 3-day trip... here's a parting shot from the False Kiva:

[skiing rules]

greenriver overlook and grand view overlook photos=$$. I just drove though that area yesterday on 70. I didn't go into moab because I was in a hurry to get to co, but the area is incredible. I'm looking at getting a mtb this summer, and that singletrack looked beautiful. Excellent shots KD.

[EastCoaster]

Those are awesome. I miss mountain biking.

[Zeus]

Awesome TR.



It's always crazy to me how different western single track is from southeastern single track. One wide wide open, the other tight, twisty, and technical.

[mmmtaters]

I have the most difficult time taking trips to the middle/west/not near the coast of the country when there is no snow, but I need to make more of an effort. This is absolutely amazing, KD.

[KneeDeep]

@Zeus 245229 wrote:Awesome TR.



It's always crazy to me how different western single track is from southeastern single track. One wide wide open, the other tight, twisty, and technical.



Zeus... that's not entirely true about the trails out here. More often than not the trails around here are pretty technical- but definitely more wide open than the SE. The one thing I liked about Fruita trails is that there weren't any monster climbs- it was rolling hills or a short climb followed by a short descent. Most of the trails around Denver are 5 miles up, 5 miles down.

[yardsale]

@Zeus 245229 wrote:Awesome TR.



It's always crazy to me how different western single women is from southeastern single women. One wide wide open, the other tight, twisty, and technical.



o.0

[davidski]

@KneeDeep 245225 wrote:

Green River Overlook:





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As Skiing Rules noted -- this pictures blows me away

ther is a ridiculous depth to it and an almost painted quality, the flatness of the horizon line with so much happening on its edge --- I love that terrain. I grew up amid miniture versions of it with Palo Duro Canyon and the Canadien river breaks, deeply carved features in a flat, flat earth

[KneeDeep]

Thanks D... I'm contemplating making this shot into a fairly large (40"+) canvas print to put on our living room wall. I think canvas will bring out all the details in the painted quality of it.

[caderader]

Awesome stuff man, that area is so breathtaking! Probably making a mtb/nat parks trip to the moab/south UT area in early August.