We are going to Southern Utah for a ten day riding trip. Does anyone have any suggestions to some great spots. We want to camp. Any recommendations to trails in the Parks would be appreciated.
Posted 2010-09-22 3:58 AM (#125106 - in reply to #124941) Subject: RE: Utah Riding
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Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
There are numerous places in South and Central Utah, depending on the seasons. I don't like to ride in hot temps. So I avoid the lower desert areas during the hot months and ride the higher elevation trails. Inthe colder weather, I then ride the lower desert areas.
So give me a better idea of when you camp out is and what you want to see.
But in general. You can ride Zions Natiional Parks Kolob trail down and thru the Hopps Valley. I camp int he St George area. Usually a Horse motel for the horses and motel or relatives for me. Red Mountain out west of St George is a good day ride. The Maze near Leeds Utah is another good day ride. These are all Oct-April rides for me.
The Dixie National Forest above Brian Head ski resort is a good summer ride. It's at 10,000 foot. So snow comes early and stays late.
Bryce Canyon is a must do at least once. There are several trails in the Bryce area and Grand Staircase Escalante.
Bryce Canyon is at 8000 so it cools off earlier than some desert areas. I wouldn't plan a winter ride in Bryce[IMG]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/Painted-Horse/2009/Bryce/Bryce-Canyon-2009-051.jpg[/IMG]
I just spent 5 days on the Aquarius Plateau Elk hunting. Take the road between Loa and Escalante Utah to access the area. It's gravel but in good shape. Lots of just open riding. Or you can follow the Great Western Trail across the area. Again this is at 10,000 foot. So the weather turns cold soon. I just pull off the road near a water pond. Roundy Reservour is a good central spot.
San Rafael Swell area of Utah is stunning in its Raw beeauty. It is extremely rough and remote. I avoid it in the summer. Too hot and the The narrow slot canyons often flash flood. But September thru May is a great place to ride.
Posted 2010-10-08 11:00 PM (#125604 - in reply to #124941) Subject: RE: Utah Riding
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Posts: 2
Location: Fernley Nevada
Thanks for all the great ideas! We will arriving in Bryce on the 21st of October and staying in that area for 4 days. Then we are looking for the next adventure for the other 6. We live in Reno, NV so we will only have 8 days of riding. Do you have a favorite? Zion Kolob looks fabulous.
Posted 2010-10-09 9:34 AM (#125615 - in reply to #124941) Subject: RE: Utah Riding
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Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
We usually stay at Ruby's Inn. They have horse stalls for $10 a night that we put the horses in. The ride in Bryce Canyon itsell is just one day, Unless you want to repeat. You go down the Peek-a-boo trail. The horse concessionair gets first priority. If you meet his string of horses/customers on the trail, YOU must turn around and return to a wide spot for them to pass. Talk with the guides before you ride, so you will have an idea what time they will be on the trail, It may help you to avoid them.
Outside of Bryce, We ride the Thunder Mountain trail in Red Canyon. Also Casto and Losee canyons. Some folks have primative camped near the mouth of Casto canyon if you don't want to put the horses up at Ruby's inn.
The Grand Staircase Escalante is just a short drive away from Ruby's Inn. Go down through Tropic and Cannonville and enter the Grand Staircase. The ride down Sheep Creek and Willis creek is a good slot canyon ride that puts you down into some narrow canyons. Do a search on Grand Staircase and you can find trail maps of the area. Some are not suitable for horses. So just read the details. You could ride for weeks in the Grand Staircase. Also Capital Reef is nearby and has some great riding also.
Zions is 2 maybe 3 hours drive away. Down Hiway 89, across Hiway 14 and south on I-15. You will pass through LOTS of areas to horse ride. Most don't have marked trails. But none the less, Lots of country. Although some of it is at 10,000 foot. So late October could have snow. I've ridden some up in the Navajo Lake area, you are kinda on top of the world, So it's a little more level ridding, with out all the really climbs.
Zions really only has one trail that you can ride the horses on. It's the Kolob Arch trail. Get off I-15 at the Kolob entrance to Zions. The trail follows down Timber creek ( usually dry) and up LaVerkin Creek ( good water for horses) to Kolob Arch. You tie up and hike the last 1/2 mile. The main trail will continue down through the Hops Valley. It's a beautiful ride. The trail is 14 miles end to end, So a in and out trip makes a 28 mile ride.
In the St George area. I like to ride the Maze near Leeds UT. It is a windy twisty trail that goes down through the Grapevine to the Virgin River. Beautiful colors and interesting rock formations. A little hard to find, But maybe a local can help you find the trail head. The turn around at the end of the road, is a little tight, be careful taking a realy large trailer all the way to the end.
On the other side of St George, I love the ride up to Red Mountain and the over look over Snow Canyon. Take the Diamondville hiway, A few miles past Diamond Valley and well before you get to Veyo you will see a high voltage power line, Under that power line is a small dirt road and sign that says Red Mountian. Pull in and park anywhere. There are two trails. One up the ridge that ATV/motorcycles ride ( I understand they have closed it to any motorized vehicle now) That ridge line trail is rocky and rough. I go about 3 maybe 4 power line towers to the north and follow the trail up the gulley. This trail is much sandier, better footing for the horses. Both trails meet on the top of the mountain.
There is just so much area to ride, It's hard to pick just a couple of trails. Just be aware that anything above 8000 foot elevation could have some serious snow that time of year and be prepared.
Posted 2010-10-09 3:23 PM (#125617 - in reply to #124941) Subject: RE: Utah Riding
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
The Utah general season rifle deer hunt opens on Oct23 and runs through Oct 27. This means that the more forested areas of the state where deer herd are prevelant will have lots of hunters on the mountain. Not to frighten you. I still ride the horses a LOT during hunting. But it will affect your ability to find camp site. Since Lots of peope who hunt will be camping also. Hunting is not allowed in the National Parks, So those would be good days to ride in Bryce Canyon, Zions, Capital Reef etc.
You asked about the Griffin Top. This area is over 10,000 elevation, The road from Widsoe Junction up and over the griffin top to the junction at Posey Lake road, is a good gravel road. They don't snow plow these grave roads. So deep snow could be a problem, But the road has enough gravel in it, That it won't be a muddy problem if it gets wet.
I'm standing on the rim of the Aquarius Plateau. The Griffin Top the flat area at the top of this photo. It's all around 10,200 foot elevation. The Great Western Trail follows a contour line around the rim about 400-500 foot elevation lower than the rim itself. Of course when you get here in Oct. The quakies will be bare.
Up ontop of the Griffin Top or the Aquarius Plateau, are lots of Spruce forest with meadows intertwined through the forest. It's very easy riding in the open and nasty if you get into the trees. Too many deadfalls and blowdowns to get thru. But there are enough meadows that if you are not worried about going in a straight line, you can meander all over. This area is heavily grazed by cattle all sumer. So their are cattle trails all over the mountain that you can follow.
Most of the lakes that they show on the maps. Really don't exist. They have lots of water in May when the snow melts are are often by September are just small muddy ponds. Jacobs Valley Res, Roundy Res both have good camping and water for the horses. And other lakes may or may not exist in the fall. The official Forest Service camp grounds a Posey Lake, Baker Res etc all closed by early sept. So any camping you do on the Top will be primative camping.