We drove the trailer plus horses up Wells Draw Road to the Five Mile Canyon road. We hoped to drive as high as we could before we started riding.
The big snowmelt and wet spring had washed out the road in places. Some washouts were small and could be maneuvered around. This one (6 feet deep and at least 20 feet wide) stopped us. The gap could easily have swallowed a pickup and horse trailer whole and burbed its satisfaction.
Steve suggested using our shovels to fill in the road. I hope he was joking. He got absolutely no encouragement from me!
We did a lot more road riding than we had planned, but that was the only way to get to the ridge.
As we neared the Bad Land Cliffs at about 8000 feet, we came to the Forest Service border where the road narrowed to a sandy two-track. After a wet spring, nothing about this area seems "bad". The name Bad Land Cliffs was applied because the area is rugged, eroded (see road photo, to judge how easily the soil washes away!) and too dry for much grazing or habitation. We like it because there are few real roads and almost no visitation, except by us. We've seen a few hunters in fall, and the occasional antelope, deer, or elk.
I like how you like the "no-roads" areas:) A place where you are pretty much the only visitors! Good thing I don't live near by....you'd have me to deal with;))
ReplyDeleteI am so envious of your trail adventures!
(By the way- your header is beautiful!)
Filling in the hole would be the suggestion that my husband would make, too!
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I would not put forth such a suggestion. Beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting country. I was there once ... a lifetime ago, but it seems like yesterday. Funny about time how it jumps around.
ReplyDeleteJanie I love your adventures..I always look forward to your posts...
ReplyDeleteLooks like you could ride that road to Eternity! Beautiful countryside. I hope Steve was kidding, too - what a "rut!"
ReplyDeleteYou folks in Utah must have bigger shovels than what is available for us poor Okies.
ReplyDeleteI've been catching up on your posts and I realize the advantage of horseback over hiking. Thee is no way I could cover on foot the mile you can on horseback. You get to some wonderful places.
ReplyDeleteI like the blossom in your header, it looks like a silk flower it is so perfect.
That road hole looks a little too big to fill in with a shovel. Next time bring the backhoe. At least you knew there wouldn't be anybody else out there for your beautiful ride. Don't see anything bad though.
ReplyDeleteI don't think a day goes by that I'm not jealous of your beautiful rides. You are really living a dream.
ReplyDeleteWell, like everyone else, I love living vicariously through your trail rides and photographs. Everyone seems to be such a great adventure. Fantastic!
ReplyDeletethat was quite a hole in the road!
ReplyDeleteSmart girl! Leave the shovel at home.
ReplyDeleteI think Daisy would be on your side, so two against one: no shoveling. :))
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful area!!!! So nice you don't have to share it with too many people. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you would still be there filling in that hole! Looks like a great place for some solitude.
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