November 2, 2009

Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

...to go back on the mountain, some new hunting season has already begun. 
Rifle hunting for deer and elk is over.  (Big sigh of relief for Bambi.) But when I checked the hunting guides, I find that it's now late fall black bear season. 
Fortunately for us, on our ride in Tabby Mountain WMA (Wildlife Management Area) we saw only one parked, empty truck along our 17 mile trail and heard no shots.  Maybe Tabby Mt. (above) isn't great bear habitat. 
The 50 square miles of Tabby comprise some fantastic riding territory, though. The area was overgrazed in the past, but it has been replanted with crested wheatgrass, a non-native bunchgrass that grows well here. 
It also serves as great forage for wildlife (and for our boys, when they take a much-deserved break).
The morning was cold - can you see the ice in this spring? 
Not far from the spring, we saw about half a dozen deer traveling in a line up the mountain. 
By midday, temperatures warmed considerably. 
We were surprised to see no snow on Tabby Mountain (10000 feet/ 3000 m).  The snow that fell last week has already melted off of the open hillsides. 
We rode to an 8000 ft/2450 m pass, from which you can see into the Red Creek drainage.
and over the distant ridges all the way to a snow-covered peak to the southwest that we think is Mt. Nebo (11,929 ft /3600 m), almost 80 miles away.
For late fall riding, the sandy trails and views around Tabby Mountain WMA are hard to beat.
For more views from around the world, click here.

31 comments:

  1. That was a spectacular view of the Red Creek Drainage and Mt. Nebo. I enjoy the drive up Spanish Fork Canyon and the view of the mountain along the way. My grandmother used to call it the "disappearing" mountain. I think she did it as a way to keep little ones from complaining during the ride. As we approached the mountain it seemed to sink behind a smaller mountain in front of it. Of course since the Thistle slide it doesn't do that anymore :)

    I've stayed at Tabby Mountain Resort before. Fun Place. The kids really liked camping in the teepees.

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  2. Such spectacular vistas.. I love the pictures of Boss and Mischief, they look so enthusiastic.

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  3. That looked like a nice trail to ride on. I wonder why they didn't replant with native plants? Interesting decision to introduce something new. Lucky you didn't run into snow.

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  4. It looks like you've got some good riding days left before winter after all. Beautiful skies.

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  5. What a beautiful country we have...I am glad you are posting pictures from this area that I might not ever get to visit in person.
    Bear hunting? I had NO idea!

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  6. Great weather for a ride even if it was a little brisk. What views you have of that beautiful part of the world!

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  7. The new hunting season has already begun in our country as well...

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  8. Janie, I grew up in a hunting area and lived in a hunting/farming area when a young married woman. Then we moved to the desert to the diamond mines and the Gemsbok (a large deer) used to wander through the town streets at night. No hunting there EVER. Then we moved down to the Free State and back into hunting/farming area. Even though I feel so sorry for Bambi and other wildlife in the sights of the hunter, I am quite pragmatic about it... Thanks for a beautiful ride in your stunning country. thanks too for always visiting my blog. (((Hugs))) Jo

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  9. Great views! Glad none of you resemble a black bear too. ;)

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  10. From fall deer to fall bear, is that the forbearance of the fall? Or for deer sanctimonious fall spree?

    Anyway, just teasing.

    Until now, I still can't get over with the snow capped mountains I saw for the first time in actuality in New Zealand and here's one big reminder photo shots that takes me back there.

    As for the melted ice, they must have been sipped by global warming.

    Great interesting post again. :)

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  11. Hi Janie,
    Loved riding with you today - I saw the ice and the berries were pretty, too. Your sky was so blue! My favorite, though, is the last view of Steve riding down the trail. Can't believe all your snow is gone already!

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  12. Looks like a beautiful, sunny day!

    One of our friends got a HUGE black bear very near Telluride, in the national forest just off of the Valley Floor.

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  13. Beautiful and interesting as ever..and I'm still envious!.

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  14. Beautiful! I don't think I'd want to ride anywhere NEAR bear habitat!

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  15. Beautiful Diane... We have a Mt. Nebo in Arkansas ---but it's not NEAR as high as your Mt. Nebo. Love those blue skies... Looks like a fabulous ride!!!!

    We live in a protected area..SO---luckily our critters don't have to worry about being shot at --and neither do we... I don't mind hunting and hunters, but I'd just as soon stay out of their way!!!!

    Thanks for the gorgeous pictures.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  16. I'm glad you didn't see anyone hauling out a dead bear. We had snow last week, too, and woke up to 19 degrees one morning. Though it was 32 before the sun came up today, it got to 71. Crazy weather year!

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  17. Marvelous photos. When is broccoli hunting season, please?

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  18. I can't believe how clear and blue the skies are. Mount Nebo looks really nice.

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  19. Your high desert reminds me a lot of when we lived in the Owen's valley. We'd move the recreationa up or down in elevation depending on the season.
    Your beautiful shots make me a bit nostalgic for those days.

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  20. Oh, what a terrific ride! And what beautiful blue skies. All of your shots are breathtaking, Janie. And, of course, I love the pictures of Boss and Mischief, too! Just looks like you all had such fun! I'm assuming Daisy was along for the trip, too!

    Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  21. Wow, beautiful pictures of your ride.

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  22. What a wonderful ride you had! Such views - and blue blue skies.

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  24. What a beautiful place to ride in! If we had access to enough food in the bush (and water!) we'd take the horses for a hike - for sure!

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  25. I'm giggling about Sandy's *broccoli hunting season* comment! Poor bears and bambi. Wonderful photos and thanks again for taking us on this spectacular ride.

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  26. Thanks for taking us on your ride. The scenery is breath-taking, as usual. You obviously got a very early start since there was still ice on the spring. I was glad to see that Boss and Mischief have their orange neck scarves for the bear hunting season.

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  27. I'm with Sandy's "broccoli hunting season" :D But I love the pictures showing the outdoors and your ride thru the trails. Would love to try that someday. My fave is the one with the dog with the snowy peaks at his background..love it!

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  28. Sure glad you all look good in orange, and that there were no bears in the vacinity. Nice to still have some nice fall weather for rides.

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  29. always love to ride with you, lovely views

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  30. What a WONDERFUL world you share! Stay safe in this bear hunting season ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,

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