Little did we know when we set out, that we'd be in for an epic odyssey.
From Payson, we set out for the little town of Strawberry and the Bearfoot trailhead. The trailhead was just south of town about two miles. We passed it twice, before finally locating it just off the highway, off the edge of a little pull out lane. Parking was little more than a dirt clearing, where multiple trails and dirt roads converged.
The first little bit of the trail was under tree cover and relatively smooth with some rocky sections here and there. But once we break out of the trees, the trail got really rocky. There was about three and a half to four miles, total of exposed rocky terrain. Some of the climbs were almost impossible due to the amount of loose rock on the trail. We ended up walking more thatn a few sections. The views, however, almost made it worth it.
Under tree cover, the trail usually smoothed out and became more enjoyable. The last couple miles to the bottom of the Pine Canyon were a blast.
Once we hit the end of Barefoot trail, we saw that it converged with Pine Canyon trail. We weren't excited about the prospect of a six mile ride, much of it uphill, back to the truck. On the map it looked like Pine Canyon trail was a shorter and easier trek out to the 87 highway, where, a little ways down the way, we could jump on a forrest road that mostly descended back to the truck. It was a gradual, uphill, two mile trek to the foot of some black diamond switchbacks, heading about a quarter mile up the canyon wall, then a gradual three quarter mile ride up to the highway. We'd just hike the switchbacks til we got to the easier terrain and then ride out from there. Easy peasy right?
Well, what started out as a nice wide smooth jeep trail turned into a narrow, rocky, overgrown, single track with steep uphill sections and several creek beds that we had to clamber down into and then back out again. By the time we hit the bottom of the DOUBLE black diamond, switchback climb, I was in full bonk mode. Not to mention all my camera batteries were dead. Scott quickly got ahead of me as I had to take frequent breaks due to leg cramps. What's worse, more than a few of the switchback corners consited of rock shelves, some three feet high. This requered hoisting the bike up each shelf then clambering up, only to have to do it several more times to get to the next semi-level section. I'd basically get 10 to 20 or so yards and then would have to take a break. All the while, I'm watching the sun get lower and lower, above the ridge son the opposite side of the canyon. There was no cell signal so I couldn't get ahold of Scott. I was beyond relieved when I saw Scott coming back down the trail. He'd stashed his bike and come back down to help me carry mine up and out of the canyon. I was able to ride a little here and there after we got out of the canyon.
By the time we hit the highway it was almost dark. We knew we couldn't make our way down the forest road after dark. So, we decided to ride the highway back into Strawberry. The plan was for Scott to ride ahead and bring the truck back to meet me wherever we converged. What we thought was a three to four mile trek down the road, turned out to be nine. I honestly don't know how, but I was able to keep up with Scott for a time. Even climbing some small hills. He pulled away after a few miles, but I just kept on pedaling. I've never been so happy to see a sign saying "Steep Grade Ahead". I caught back up to Scott in town, and knew I wasn't gonna be able to make the last few miles back to the truck. So, Scott went on ahead while I waited at a local watering hole. It was 8pm by the time we got back to Payson. We were so hungry, we didn't bother getting cleaned up. We ended up at "Fargo's" Steak House and proceeded to destroy several large steak dinners. (The staff was friendly and the food was great. I'll definitely go back next time I'm up there.)
2 окт 2024
