Southern Red Rock Canyon (Western Trail Biking - Part 2)

That 'Specialized HardRock' trail bike (Ghostrider let me borrow it) was murder. Heavy with horrible balance. Good for flat trail riding, but about it (my opinion) - but, that's what it's built for. Could really have used the old 'Gary Fisher', but it was 3,000 miles away. Really wanted to try a few "rugged" desert trails I was checkin' out on the mapping. Considering the equipment options (none) and the high desert temperatures at the time, figured I'd stick with something easy and non-committing. Southern Red Rock Canyon sported some easy sounding single-track to the north of Highway 160 in the 'Cottonwood Valley' area - drove over to check it out...

... not bad, and not a soul around. Trail altitude ranged between El 3400ft to El 3900ft throughout probably 15 miles of interconnecting loops. The photo above is viewing north through Red Rock Canyon. 'Rainbow Mountain Range' (world class multi-pitch climbing) to the left. The low bands of contrasting tan and red rock near photo center are the 'Calico Hills' (lots of single-pitch, mostly 'sport climbing'). 'La Madre Wilderness Area' beyond. 'Blue Diamond Hills' to the right...

... viewing across a desert floor of spiney 'Yucca' plants and 'Desert Shrubs' toward 'Windy Peak' (L) and 'Black Velvet Peak' (R) with 'Mud Spring Canyon' between, as I recall (may be wrong)...

... typical area single-track - think that the "dry wash" to the right is 'Mud Springs'...

... a few 'Joshua Trees'. Lots of wildlife as well - say many 'Ground Squirrels', 'Desert JackRabbits' (a few big ones, too), 'Chuckwalla Lizards'... didn't get any photos, however...

... "ditto"...

... 'Joshua Tree'...

... 'Joshua Tree' seeds...

... some great riding...

... great weather and lots of blue sky - was gettin' pretty hot at this point, though - approaching 100 degrees F. As usual, miscalculated the water supply. Whoever first said that "Aw - the desert southwest isn't hot - it's a dry heat out there" is probably now a set of bleached bones lying out in the desert somewhere. Only ever hear that comment from someone back east - it gets f#n HOT!...

... this photo speaks for itself...

... most of the established climbing occurs north of these peaks within the canyon on the 'Sandstone Bluffs' between 'First Creek' and 'North Peak'. Is mostly solid and very competent. Lightweight and porous 'Aztec Sandstone'. That's a prickly 'Cholla Cactus' in the foreground...

... man, too hot today...screw this bike...wouldn't catch the 'Duke' or 'Clint' on one - gimme' a horse and mule next time....