TR: Cedar Mountain, San Rafael Swell

Yesterday I took my family out to ride a trail on the western slope of Cedar Mountain in the San Rafael Swell. I didn't expect it to be this awesome, but we had the most fun we've had on any trail since we bought our ATVs in March. The only trail I've done that was better than this is the Behind the Reef trail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di9LxwWmCTs


More pictures here


Here's a Google Earth .KML file with my GPS tracklog, plus a few points of interest with linked photos embedded in each.


Staging Area
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4259.jpg


My Honda Rancher parked along the trail
http://lh4.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4278.jpg


Descending into a nice valley
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4295.jpg


Balanced rock
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4305.jpg


Another balanced rock
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4311.jpg


The kids eating lunch
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4315.jpg


Reflection in a helmet
http://lh4.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4319.jpg


Overlooking Buckhorn Flat
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4336.jpg


Part of the trail
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4389.jpg


A washed out part of the trail
http://lh4.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4391.jpg


The really rugged bit of trail
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4397.jpg


Another angle of the previously pictured trail
http://lh5.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4398.jpg


Parked on the trail
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4399.jpg


Another view onto Buckhorn Flat
http://lh4.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4403.jpg


Me riding the trail
http://lh4.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_2803.jpg

It's definitely ATV season. :2thumbs:

I'll have to throw this one on the home page later this week. Nice report.

As always, Dennis, great TR, video & photos! :nod:

EXCELLENT TR!!! The blue sky in this pic is incredible. :hail2thechief:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/Dennis.Udink/SM...0/IMG_4259.jpg

I edited the original post (above) and added a Google Earth .KML file with my GPS tracklog and a few waypoints. I also was tooling around in Google Earth and noticed some other trails a few miles from this one in the Bull Hollow vicinity, except there are at least twice as many miles of trails in that area, and they all look good. Be expecting another trip report this weekend. :2thumbs:

Udink,

Your out doing the family thing and you didn't invite us?? I thought we were brothers!! Glade to see your out enjoying!! Nice Pics and Video.

JR

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Windwalker

Your out doing the family thing and you didn't invite us?? I thought we were brothers!!

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Hey JR! You'd always be welcome to join us, if you don't mind going slow. With the kids, it takes us a lot longer than normal to ride even a simple trail. Heck, we're going again this weekend to the same area (different trails though) and we'd love to have you along. I know your schedules are crazy, but if you could make it and really wanted to, let me know.

By the way, we had so much fun with you and DeViDe on Behind the Reef that we're hoping to go back again this fall (in another month or so). If your schedule would allow it on a weekend, let me know and we'll try to get together for that.

I wish we could pull it off but that's not going to happen anytime soon. We have one of two boys back from Iraq on leave and only one wheeler. Liza is attending the Post/Corrections academy in SLC to become a Deputy-Nurse for the county. She'll be finished some time late November.

For now I'll have to do my out-door living by way of Bogley and your postings.

JR