21 Attachment(s)
Mona Pole Canyon--July 11, 2013
Mona Pole is a fantastic ride.
My first time up this trail was back in the early 90's on my Yamaha XT350. The local Jeepers were playing on it and had told me what a fun trail it was so I had to check it out for myself. The lower section of road was basically just a rock slide at the time and that poor Yammy took a beating (me too:haha:). Swore I'd never go up it again. So after a few years and a few kids, we bought our ATV's and the time had come to try it again, with 4 wheels this time. I went loaded for bear, even took my helmet as I was ready for some hard core wheelin' fun. Not to be, the road had just been graded smooth as a baby's bottom and I swear you could almost drive a car up it. :facepalm1: Still was an pleasant ride though.
A few years have passed and the road is slowly returning to more of a challenging trail. Nothing that would require 4 wheel drive, but I used it anyway because I had Trevor with me. The most challenging aspect of this trail is how steep it is. I'm not aware of another road anywhere that has this much sustained steepness.
With the trailhead right off I-15, it's very easy and convenient to get to. The elevation gain happens immediately and quick so if it's smokin hot in the valley, you are enjoying the coolness of the aspens and pines within a few minutes of unloading. There are no restrictions on vehicles so this trail is also a great one for high clearance 4X4 or side-X-side machines. This trail cuts a corridor right through the middle of the Mt. Nebo Wilderness so please stay on the designated trails and observe all regulations in order to preserve this privilege.
Trevor ready to ride--at the trailhead with Mona Reservoir in the distance.
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This sign is at the mouth of the canyon. There is another one just like it at the other end as well with the same info painted over. Interesting that a person was supposed to get a permit before accessing the area, probably didn't happen much.
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Typical scene at the bottom of the canyon. Picture doesn't show how steep this really is.
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In no time, the road levels off some and turns into lush green forest and meadows.
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The afternoon was overcast with showers in the area. Mt. Nebo summit was socked in with low clouds.
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The showers cooled things of remarkably and settled the dust making for a very pleasant ride through the forest.
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At the higher elevations, the flowers were stunning. Columbine is one of my all time favorites.
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Closed road to one of the mines in the area.
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The trail cuts across this slope.
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This doe paused long enough to allow us to take her picture. For all the feed available, she sure looked thin (probably had a fawn or two hidden nearby?).
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Looking south towards Mt. Nebo. There is still a few patches of snow hanging on, including these two couloirs.
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Zoomed shot of the same.
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Scenery shot.
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Not many live ones left...
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More flowers, guess I should get a book so I can name them.
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Kinda hard to see, but there is a bumble bee on the flower just right of center.
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Then we happened on to this...yes, that really is a half full bottle of ketchup upper right :facepalm1:.
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At the Trailhead for the North Peak of Mt. Nebo.
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Looking up at the North Peak.
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Picture of map hanging on the kiosk at the trailhead.
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Lousy image of a hen Blue Grouse and 4 or 5 tiny chicks. They didn't seem to want to hang out and get their picture taken. Trevor liked the chicks.
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Just past the North Peak TH, about a half mile, is the end of the trail. GPS logged just under 10 miles from the start. By the time we got to this point the wind was blowing pretty hard and getting pretty chilly. So we turned around and high tailed it back to the Tahoe. Great ride.
