Here we are, at our first first stop along Corkscrew. At this point we are still below treeline, headed up to the tundra. We will learn how this trail got its name later, as it really starts to climb. We will go well over 12,000 feet on this trip.
I am finding that people ATV for many reasons. There's those that like to get to the less crowded back country without the effort of hiking. Some like the views, the fresh air, and animal watching. Others just like to take a drive on roads that are lightly traveled. And of course there are those who like the adrenaline rush of squeezing their 48 inch wide machine through a 45 inch wide space with a long drop on one side. Or climbing a boulder studded hill where their machine is constantly at the edge of its stability.
Well, you ask, which one am I? I am a little of all. I really like getting into areas less visited, but with reduced effort. I like the scenery and the fresh air. But, yes, I admit to being an adrenaline junky too. I have always liked to hang it out there just far enough to scare myself, but not so far that I feel completely out of control. That line is getting a little blurry as my reaction speed seems to be slowing as aging seems to be speeding up.
But, as always, out here in the mountains, it is hard to overlook the scenery.
We don't always head up. Sometimes we head down. This is a shot of a smidgen of Dented Door Trail. The Alpine areas in the previous pictures were all up. This trail went down (kind of steeply) into a valley where we rode for a few hours. This trail was heavily vegetated. It was wide enough for the ATV's at ground level, but at rider level the foliage hung over the trail and we got pounded. Thanks goodness for gloves, long sleeves, and a helmet. And, if it looks dusty, that is because it was. By the way, I didn't get dented, but I have renamed the trail to Scratched Fenders.
We gather in a circle for happy hour and talk it up, with drink in hand, of course. We also eat snacks that are bad for us. But, being health conscious, we then go home and eat a healthy dinner (or fall asleep in front of the TV).
Sometimes we get bored with just sitting around in a circle, so we fix a lot of food.
And then sit down and eat until we clean our plates (the way Mom always told us).
But riding is our thing, well except for the snack breaks.........
Here we are, at our first first stop along Corkscrew. At this point we are still below treeline, headed up to the tundra. We will learn how this trail got its name later, as it really starts to climb. We will go well over 12,000 feet on this trip.
I am finding that people ATV for many reasons. There's those that like to get to the less crowded back country without the effort of hiking. Some like the views, the fresh air, and animal watching. Others just like to take a drive on roads that are lightly traveled. And of course there are those who like the adrenaline rush of squeezing their 48 inch wide machine through a 45 inch wide space with a long drop on one side. Or climbing a boulder studded hill where their machine is constantly at the edge of its stability.
Well, you ask, which one am I? I am a little of all. I really like getting into areas less visited, but with reduced effort. I like the scenery and the fresh air. But, yes, I admit to being an adrenaline junky too. I have always liked to hang it out there just far enough to scare myself, but not so far that I feel completely out of control. That line is getting a little blurry as my reaction speed seems to be slowing as aging seems to be speeding up.
But, as always, out here in the mountains, it is hard to overlook the scenery.
We don't always head up. Sometimes we head down. This is a shot of a smidgen of Dented Door Trail. The Alpine areas in the previous pictures were all up. This trail went down (kind of steeply) into a valley where we rode for a few hours. This trail was heavily vegetated. It was wide enough for the ATV's at ground level, but at rider level the foliage hung over the trail and we got pounded. Thanks goodness for gloves, long sleeves, and a helmet. And, if it looks dusty, that is because it was. By the way, I didn't get dented, but I have renamed the trail to Scratched Fenders.
Another ATV trip, another location, but plenty of scenery. This ride was up county roads 8 and 10, and then into the backcountry around Owl Creek Pass. I have published fall pictures of this area with golden aspen throughout. That was from the county roads, these pictures are from way off the roads.
This picture was taken at the trail head to Wetterhorn Basin. The trail is for hikers only, so this is as far as we went along this path.
This picture was taken while standing in the same place as the previous picture, but in the opposite direction. Postcards in everywhere you look.
After 3 miles of rough trail riding we hit the river that feeds the Silver Jack Reservoir. And what did we find? Trout fishermen.
And look, they are catching trout. I think I may be back to this spot with my fishing gear.
