CO: Cashin Mine Exploration

 We debating for a hot minute about driving or riding to the next ride. It was only a few miles away, across the border in Colorado, but Andrew wasn't too keen on the highway riding miles and frankly, neither were any of us. We piled into two vehicles and made the short drive down the road to County Rd. X4. We were now a group of six, as Eszter arrived late the previous afternoon. It had been far too long since we last hung out.

The ride itself wasn't long, it was the mining history and lure of waterfalls that had us intrigued. The narrow dirt road followed La Sal Creek gently down a canyon. Gorgeous views around every turn.

Quite a few fixer-uppers out here.

Could be the set of a Friday the 13th horror flick.

Classic refrigerator.

The wildflowers were doing their best to improve property values.

Awestruck no matter where you look.

The first in a series of mine openings.

Copper was king in these parts.

Simply spectacular riding.

It was a bit sketch, but only one rung was wobbly. :) Johnny makes quick work of it.

We didn't venture too far, just enough to take a peek.

Cruising along.

The main structure at the Cashin Mine.

The road ends and turns to trail as we cross La Sal Creek.

Somehow, still standing after all these years. It's quite impressive.

We couldn't believe the amount of poured concrete here.

The ore tracks on the other side of the building. Hard to imagine full ore carts coming down the grade in control. All I see is some frantic cartoon image.

Noticed this pass-through under the ore cart tracks.

It led to more structures and another side canyon. This building had the feel of a holding pen or jail.

Further up the side canyon.

Interesting story of the mine curator and his untimely demise. 

Wild West continued.

Back on the frontside of the main building, this mine had a sign warning of 'Bad Air'. There was an outflow of cold air and it had a smell that reminded me of my semiconductor days. We didn't get too close or hang around more than a few seconds.

Heading back up X4 road in search of waterfalls.

It may not look it, but Alexandera is deep in thought about which cog to use for the Grand Loop.

Off X4 road and hidden from view, a nice double waterfall appears. Magic.

Thick moss covered rock, very slick, watch your step!!

Since everyone else but me lives a more mobile lifestyle, they took the opportunity for a free cold shower. I thought about it, but nah. I didn't feel like shivering.

View from the short hike in.

We took a spur jeep road up and around to the top of the waterfalls. Neat.

Nice canyon overview with X4 road and La Sal Creek.

Since Johnny is in Tour Divide mode and testing his clipless setup along with his aero bars, he opted for a longer route back to the pad. Andrew had all the beta needed and he was off. He also makes incredible bikepacking bags: https://dispersed.bike/

Long overdue beer toast with Eszter. Photo by EZ.

Back at the Strempke's place we watched the clouds building, wind increased and eventually the rain came. At one point the five of us found ourselves in Alexandera's camper, talking life, bikepacking and wondering how Johnny was doing in the sudden change of weather.

He arrived not too much later and we were a bit surprised to hear he didn't get rained on too bad, only a few sprinkles. He did have to battle the wind and a monstrous climb out of Paradox. He's definitely rounding into form and I can't wait to follow his dot this summer. He also calls into mtbcast regularly and is always a fun listen. Go get 'em, Johnny!!

The storm front moved through quickly, but dropped the temps by 20º it seemed. Brrrr. The skies were clearing and a magnificent sunset was the reward.

Fiery sky over the La Sal Mtns.

The best crew!! Myself, Katie, Andrew, Eszter, Johnny & Alexandera. That's a mighty long bikepacking resume from this group!!

As a side note, I had brought our car camping tent to use on this trip, but when I tried to set it up the night before, the elastic in the poles were dead. Nada. Totally useless. Good thing I purchased it at REI a couple years ago, it's only been used twice, I think. Andrew & Katie to the rescue, they offered their conversion van bed and it was perfect. Thanks!!

I spent one more night and got rolling north towards Moab early the next morning...

Early morning views of the La Sal Mtns. with a fresh dusting of snow.

Thanks to Andrew & Katie for the hospitality and showing us a couple of the neighborhood rides. Fantastic!! It's made better when more friends join in and how can you not have a great time riding and hanging out with Alexandera, Eszter & Johnny. Impossible, unless you're just stupid enough not to. :)

Route:

UT: Around the Horn

 Memorial weekend was rapidly approaching and I had a hall pass to head north - to Utah to hang out with some of the best friends around. The problem? My part-time work shifts were not getting picked up even after offering cash. Thankfully, two days prior to departure all my days were covered. Go time!!

I think I packed all my stuff in about 45 minutes so I could leave directly from my full-time gig on Thursday. I was weaving my way through Phoenix traffic just after 1p, which turned out to be a good move ahead of holiday congestion.

It's about an 8 hour drive, plus losing an hour with the time zone change, so it would be a late arrival to Andrew & Katie's place near La Sal. I made a quick stop in Flagstaff for gas & food, then was pleased to time the sunset as I drove through Monument Valley.

Monument Valley from the Arizona side.

Classic shot from the Utah side. I went to the side since the road was crawling with tourists posing in the pavement.

There was just enough light to drive up to Mexican Hat rock.

Andrew had warned me about deer near their place. I was on high alert over the final few miles. I saw a few, then a few more, and more...all told, I think I spotted 30 or so within the final five miles!! At least four were standing in the middle of the road. Best to proceed with caution in these parts at night.

I arrived a bit before 11p and opted to just sleep in my car...until Katie appeared and offered a space on their floor. Yes, please. Andrew & Katie recently purchased this land and have been hard at work turning it into a place to call home and a workshop for Dispersed Bikepacking.

In the morning I got the grand tour of the place and the personal touches are everywhere. It's a really cool place in a stunning location. We had plans to do a couple of rides to see what the area held.

Strempke Stronghold perched at 7200'.

Quite the view!! La Sal Mountains, Moab is on the other side.

Alexandera and Johnny were also there, camped out in their new larger truck conversion. It's so neat to see how many of my bikepacking friends live. It has it's challenges, but they all find ways to make it work.

350 power & some beautiful bikes.

Andrew was busy making Alexandera's new framebag before we left on our ride. Andrew, Katie & Alexandera were all getting ready for the upcoming Grand Loop bikepacking race. It was officially Fat Bear Week, coined by Katie, to put on a couple extra lbs before losing it all during the ride!! Ha! Meanwhile, Johnny was prepping for the Tour Divide in a few weeks, part of his Triple Crown Challenge this year. Exciting times ahead!!

Alexandera lacing up her new cheetah print bag while Johnny regrets not getting one.

Andrew & Katie guiding us Around the Horn of Ray Mesa.

Mt. Wilson in the San Juan Mtns. is near Telluride. PeakFinder app.

It was a semi-chunky descent on jeep roads that dropped us 1000'. Hmmm, what would the return climb hold? For the most part it was a good grade that got the heart rate elevated. Exactly what I needed. There was only one section of boulder hopping...

Alexandera & Johnny navigate a sizable rockslide.

The Utah side of the ride went down, the Colorado side? Up, of course.

Heck of a view from the top.

Colorado's answer to Canyonlands.

Always a fun time with this crew!! Photo by Johnny.

Topping out near 7400' on our return.

This was a such a cool route, right from home. There seems to be an endless supply of dirt roads, jeep tracks and faint paths in the area. I'm sure Andrew & Katie will eventually ride them all!! It was a great way to get the long weekend going. More, please.

Route: