Alrad Canyon to the top of the Book Cliffs

[Udink]

I was planning something much more interesting this weekend, but due to a sick kid I ended up staying close to home. I rode straight from my house to the top of the Book Cliffs through Alrad Canyon. The ride was only about 24 miles and took me four hours. There were a few snow drifts on top which contributed to a trickle of water running through the upper part of the canyon. I didn't ride all the way to the top because the trail was too steep and loose, so I hiked the last quarter-mile. Near the top I ran into some "No Trespassing" signs, but ignored them because according to the map in my GPS and also the county land ownership maps, the private property doesn't begin until several hundred yards farther north. It was a nice quick getaway that left me with some time to do yard work in the evening.

See how to embed Google Maps in your posts

http://castlecountry.org/geo/AlradCanyon.kmz


Starting to climb up Alrad Canyon


Stopped at a capped gas well, before the canyon gets really steep


Torrey at a small trickle of a waterfall


Parked below the waterfall


On the switchbacks


Got into some stickers while checking out some new singletrack that Fuzzy's building


The steep part where I began hiking


Looking down on the switchbacks


Haha, yeah, right


At the top


Another sign past the top


View way down the canyon


Here are a few more photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/Dennis.Udink/AlradCanyon#

[accadacca]

"Trail cameras in use"

[Sombeech]

Maybe they've got a GoPro rolling?