Monday AM I dropped down from perch above Rabbit Valley on the CO / UT border. Accelerated up the on ramp to west bound I 70. Google reported 79 miles to N Klondike TH. Nothing to it. Leave at 9, pedal at noon. Speed limit increased to 80 mph. I stayed under 70. Exited onto US 191 heading south to turn off for Klondike trails. 2 miles of mellow washboard all weather 2 lane gravel road back to an open spot off the road. Still more rigs than I usually see, some motorized. I parked then geared up for a ride. Today I chose to enter this area gently, nibbling on more pedaling, less hard tech. I pedaled towards the Agate Pass area. I was hailed by a couple in a black Sprinter, van life, with Ohio plates. They called me by name. I found nothing in storage. We chatted for a bit as they constructed previous encounters. OK. I said I might stop by later then pedaled away.
Klondike area is bisected by a jeep road, on the west towards the highway is the least tech of the trails. I like to pedal this system for a warm up and joy of mostly just pedaling. Surfing on berms. Pleasant effort quit when I pedaled onto the sand wash over to Dino flow for the return trail. It is a blue tech rating with challenging stuff for me. I had fun. Short ride.
Back at the van later in the afternoon under sunny skies in lower 70s I went on a short hike. I headed for the hills but first navigated around a braid of eroded gulleys. Amazing in that the land is dead flat but in a short distance maybe a 10 ft deep wash was created. Made the rocks for boulder scrambling then returned to van for dinner.
Joe and Emily pedaled by. I asked if I could visit later. Come on over they said. I pedaled away wearing street clothes. Not accustomed to not wearing a kit. My hiking shoes had no purchase on the pedals. We watched a thunderstorm over the snow covered La Sal mountains to the east. I returned home just before I needed a light to keep me on the road.
No furnace heat needed.
Today was muscle ride day as I rode back on Dino Flow to Baby Steps for the climb up the east side of the valley. Mixture of slick rock patches with features interspersed with rolled firm dirt.
Passed underneath a ravens’ nest.
I like the Klondike system for their challenges and distance, and not crowded primitive camping. Exposed flesh is taking on a great suntan.
I needed to drive into town for supplies which I did. My plan was to drive back up to Willow Springs road as early as I could to score a sleep spot before someone else got it. I chose the first exit off the road then drive up slickrock to a mostly level spot. I am within sight and sound of the highway. I have a bit of space between other campers. Willow Springs is the first road for primitive camping north of Moab. During the daylight I watched rig after rig driving past towards the dead end. Another amazing: rigs will be parked on top of each other but beyond disturbance of highway. I chose to have separation and accept the highway which will quiet down during sleep time.
Vans are very popular. Did the market drive the production or did the producers entice the market? Hardly a full size pickup camper. Very few car campers.
Tomorrow I will pedal from here to ride Klonzo trails, spend the night again. Thurs I will drive towards town stopping to ride the Brand M trails then drive to town to do laundry and resupply then drive up towards Wold Horse for Navajo Rocks rides.