We've tried several routes to reach the top of Tabby Mountain, seen from the trailhead in this photo, but we've always run into snow, or run out of daylight. Last Monday, we planned to drive five miles up a dirt road from our usual trailhead, hoping we'd be able to shorten the ride enough so that we could achieve the peak and return to the trailer before dark.
The drive went fine for a couple of miles, then the road became narrower and narrower as the dense pinyon-juniper closed in. Finally, it became apparent that driving a gooseneck trailer down that road wasn't happening.
With some - okay, maybe a lot - of difficulty, we found a way to turn around and park.
The ride went well. We trotted and cantered much of the way.
Daisy found water holes, some frozen.
On top of Tabby Mountain, at 10, 000 feet/ 3050 m we came upon a radio tower. That tower hadn't arrived via the same narrow roads we had traveled. Obviously, there is another, easier route from the other side of the mountain. We could have driven all the way up that way, but what fun would that have been?
It was windy up top. My safari hat kept trying to masquerade as The Flying Nun's headgear. I can't believe I'm showing this photo. Gee, I hope someone appreciates how I've humiliated myself for comic relief.
I love this zoom shot of Mount Nebo and Bald Mountain. 
On the way down, Steve and Boss posed in front of Twelve Hundred Dollar Ridge. No, I don't have any idea how it got that name. But I do know it's very remote, and of course Steve hopes to ride there someday. Our GPS trip computer showed 19.5 miles and 3600 feet of elevation gain and loss from mount to dismount, a fine workout for all.
We reached the trailer with plenty of daylight left, but as we started driving, the myriad of dirt roads caused a few moments of confusion... Well, maybe more than a few moments. 
Which was okay, because we broke free of the trees and gullies just in time for the full moon's magnificent appearance.
Spectacular! TY for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful week. TTFN ~Marydon
Thanks for taking us along on this great ride. Driving up to the top wouldn't be nearly as much fun. If you don't mind my saying so, I think you would make a wonderful flying nun! I like your capture of the moon.
ReplyDeletelove your hat....great ride...beautiful photos...
ReplyDeleteI think we all appreciate humiliation and humor in blog spots! Another great ride.
ReplyDeletewhat a ride. I appreciate your sacrifice--it's nice to see a shot of you and mischief. spectacular scenery and that moon is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big rig for narrow roads. I love your windy hat look. What a wonderful adventure, with views to die for. A long well worth ride to conquer yet another peak. Seems like the "good" road to the tower would have been cheating. Glad you made it out OK, and got that great shot of the full moon. I love going on rides with you, because 19 miles would make my butt hurt. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI definitely could see running into trouble on the back roads. I think my sense of direction is horrible. Beautiful shot of the moon.
ReplyDeleteI too appreciate your flying nun picture. Blogging is boring without some humiliation involved, right??
ReplyDeleteAlso, hmm... trouble navigating back... is this what spurred the email about always having a compass? I'm suspicious.
ReplyDeleteOh Janie, That just looks like so much fun. Whether you are driving up there for riding up there, I'm just glad you did reach the top.
ReplyDeleteI understand about losing hats when it's windy. We have a hard time wearing hats on the beach. They HAVE to have a chin strap--and even that doesn't always help.
Great post.
Hugs,
Betsy
I always enjoy your sense of adventure...your lovely photos and you know I am a fan of comic relief too!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
Hi Janie,
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see that you weren't having to ride through snow at that elevation. Loved your "flying Janie" look - yes, I enlarged... That is some altitude and ground covered - no wonder animals and humans were tired! Beautiful blue-sky photos!
WOW! Beautiful scenery and what fun. Several years ago, my folks, sis & I had a small farm and played around a bit with a few horses and a couple cows. I use to show locally and miss it now - I love Utah but have never lived there. I love your blog since I can live my dreams through your pics. (Mom Beaglebratz here)
ReplyDeleteHow FUN to experience your outing vicariously! Your world is filled with such marvelous scenic views and it's fun to see all of you in your 'bright orange' garb! That last moon shot is AMAZING ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Small Reflections. Glad you enjoyed the mosaics. FYI, you and Betsy happened by last night just after I'd mistakenly published an early draft (my fingers were fumbly and my head addled from a long busy day) and I thought I was working in my 'test' blog until I noticed comments from the two of you and pulled the post back into 'drafts' to finish it as intended.
Once I found the two collages I'd intended to use (for today's post I was looking for yellows & reds ... not purples), I added some Haiku, links, and a Thought for the Day ... published for real ... then turned off the computer for the night. If you have time, feel free to drop by to see 'the real thing'
Hugs and blessings,
What a great ride and spectacular scenery. Loved all your photos too.
ReplyDeleteAh, I do thank you for sharing the fun and the beauty! Fantastic scenery and captures as always and I do, most definitely, appreciate your humor!!! What a great ride!
ReplyDeleteHave a fun week!
Sylvia
Wow...great post. Beautiful shots. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure. I love that last shot of the moon.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteThe last photo is stuning!!!All are beautiful,but last photo is so beautiful!
Kisses from Romania,
irina
You and your horses must be so fit! Such beautiful country and a spectacular shot of the rising moon.
ReplyDeleteThe views are stunning. It must be wonderful out there.
ReplyDeleteNever be embarrassed about a wide brim hat. It's the best sun protection out there!
ReplyDeleteNice ride! Mabye that radio tower was helicoptered in? Gotta have 'at stampede strap on for mountain & prairie wind. Sure looks like mule deer & elk country.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder why you like the adventure in the middle of such great scenery!!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic scenery all the way around, but seeing the moon like that was the icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteI like your hat. The bigger the brim, the better - in my estimation!
:D
Beautiful, beautiful - thank you for taking us along on your ride.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation of my wide brim flying nun hat, everyone. The stampede string has saved me from losing it many times. It gets pretty windy up high.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos again. I envy your beautiful world, even the hat.
ReplyDeleteThe last photo with the big full moon is sensational.
What a ride and the reward of that great big moon in the end is phenomenal! Wow!
ReplyDelete