Monday, September 1—Mt. Carmel-Bryce Canyon NP
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| Red Rock Canyon |
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| Bike path to Bryce Canyon NP |
Finally, our first full day of riding. The 53 miles and climbing to nearly 8,000
feet in altitude from Mt. Carmel to Zion NP went well, but for the very heavy
traffic for the first 43 miles. After lunch, the last 10 miles turned
delightful climb because we were on our own bike path into the park through the
beautiful Red Rock Canyon.
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| Waiting for our rooms to be ready |
Riding across a high plateau of ranch land by the park
entrance you would never know the canyon exists until you get there. But once you are there, it simply blows you
away. Unlike Zion, where you are on the
valley floor looking up, at Bryce you look down and across endless vistas. The last time I saw it was in 2001 in the
morning. Now, in the late afternoon sun,
the lighting was absolutely perfect. As I hiked along the rim, I couldn't help but remember what
a pioneer rancher had said about the place over 100 years ago: “It’s a hell of a place to lose a cow!”
Tuesday, September, 2—Bryce to Escalante National
Monument-Boulder UT
A tough day, but totally spectacular; worth all 77 miles and
4400 feet of elevation gain. The day
started with an exhilarating 15 mile, 1500‘ descent in 46-degree weather. Then it was payback time for much of the day with
11% grades as the temperature quickly climbed to 98. I thought a couple of times I was going to
faint with heat stroke, but It was the most uniquely beautiful ride I can ever
remember. I’d do it all over again
tomorrow.
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| Lunch stop. |
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| I Must have that jersey! |
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| The "Hogback" seven miles from Boulder |
We are staying in a beautiful remote resort in Boulder, in “nowhere,”
UT. The locally-raised organic food,
views, and ambience are outstanding, not to mention the company of our two guides and the other 14 bikers, who are fun, fit, and interesting. Tomorrow—88
miles.
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| My room @ Boulder Mtn. Lodge |
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| View from the decks |
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