Soon after breakfast, with the temperatures above the mid-50s, it was time to gear up and start riding Yagi, my 2006 Yamaha TW200 (T-Dub) onto Gold Nugget Road and from there to Trail 59.
This is the trail that one takes to get to the top of Black Mesa. You may recall I'd ridden Scarlett, my 2014 Ural Patrol on this same quest last year but didn't make it to the top? Link to that post.
Here's a couple of pictures from that past posting showing where I had been stopped at a pretty steep portion with large rock "shelves" when on Scarlett.
From DEC of 2018
The last half mile or so to even get to this point was rock covered trail, rocks the size of softball and quite larger which made riding Yagi a bit like what I imagine trying to ride a pogo stick can be. All this while trying to stay upright, maintaining forward momentum and damn sure not stopping!
Even with Yagi's "granny gear" aka first gear, it was a bit of a struggle for me to make it not only up the above section but then the big rock outcropping sections, about 4-5 in a row, which had to be surmounted by Yagi. Luckily, I kept my nerve (somewhat) and managed not to stall her as she powered up the inclines, bouncing up the big boulder strewn humps.
I made it though! Though I was damn sure I wasn't going to come back down the same way I thought at the time. I would later wonder.
On top of the Mesa, I stopped to rest and pictures; also to let my pounding heart and sweaty hands regain some measure of normalcy.
A bit of riding across the top of the Mesa, which was rolling hills, not flat as I'd imagined before. Yagi and I arrived at the other edge of the Mesa and stopped for a bit.
You see that whisper of a trail in the center of the pic?
I probably should have taken it, it would be a shorter
way down I think.
See if you can spot the road down, it's not the one off center, that's
the steep shortcut I bypassed, look along the top of the ridgelines
on the left.
A little bit more riding along the edge of the Mesa, I stopped to let a long convoy of ATVs slowly motor their way towards me up the ridge lines that I would have to negotiate on the way down.
I'm not ashamed to admit, there were some steep and very rocky (big rocks) portions of the trail where I basically inched along with both feet out as outriggers to get me past the really technical sections. I rode where I could but yes, there were times when courage and confidence were a bit in short supply.
After a particularly long and rocky steep descent, I stopped once again for a breather and noted the shortcut trail making its way down the side of the Mesa. Doesn't look too bad does it?
The pic doesn't do the steepness or rockiness justice, but here you go.
Lots more steep trails and short ascents and I was finally clear of the steep portions! As if to proclaim the start of smoother traveling (I hoped), I found a flag pole next to a memorial plaque.
The rest of the way down to the valley proved not bad, a bit technical in a couple of spots but nothing like near the top of the Mesa! Why? Because there were no big ass rocks covering the trail!
A look back at Black Mesa
Looking west to the promised land....flatter ground and Arizona Highway 95.
The last mile or so was nice trail (anything felt nice after that Mesa's rock strewn goat trails!) and I was able to get Yagi all the way up to 4th gear while riding. I ended up in the southern edge of the South La Posa LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area) managed by the BLM.
It was slow pootling through this LTVA with its speed limit of 15 mph. Soon enough, I was on AZ 95 and within a few miles I was in the town of Quartzsite. To reward myself for surviving this choice of today's riding; I stopped for a burger at a Carl Junior's fast food joint as it was 12 Noon.
Hopefully my sanitary precautions precluded me picking up the Corona Virus while there.
Lunch over with, I rode to the eastern edge of town along Kuehn Road and wound my way east past another BLM area until the road ended. I picked up BLM Trail 66 here and it would carry me along the south side of the I-10 Super Slab to Gold Nugget Road and my campsite. I must say, the trail felt quite easy and comfy after Black Mesa....is this what experience is called, I wonder. :)
Here's tonight's sunset:
4 comments:
Looks like you managed a very technical looking trail, Dom. Remember to keep the shiny side up, eh?
Male pride goes before the fall eh SonjaM? Luckily I managed not to drop poor Yagi and she got me through....not one of my more wise decisions, riding this trail. :)
Nice job tackling that trail. I hate sketchy technical downhills. Other than those sketchy parts it looks like some fun riding.
Thanks Bluekat, it’s not like I had much choice....there was no going back, in my mind.
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