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I haven't been on the forum or ridden the TW for awhile. About a month ago my 25 year old daughter passed away due to a massive blood clot to the lung. It was sudden. My wife and I didn't even make it to the hospital in time to see her alive. I mention that as a way of encouraging you all to make sure your loved ones know how much you love them. Don't take your time with them for granted. You just never know when it may be their, or your time to go.
In any case, I did get out for a few hours yesterday. The day was cool, but nice with the sun shining and no wind. When I was young we used to hunt deer on Coal Pits, at least that's what the old timers called it. I'm not aware of any coal deposits there. A long time ago I was led to an old sawmill site on Coal Pits mesa, and I thought I would like to nose around and see if I could find it again. I took my usual route out of the valley to the east. Yes, winter has arrived in southern Utah.
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I connected with one of my favorite trails, that skirts along the foot of Gooseberry Mesa. It's kind of remote, and not very heavily travelled.
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Fortunately the trail had dried out after recent storms. There were a few muddy places, but not too bad.
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As I neared the pavement east of Virgin town I spotted an L-19 Bird Dog cruising by about 100 feet off the ground. It was cool. Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to get a decent picture of it. More info here if you're interested in the L-19/O-1.
Crossing over the Virgin River I spotted some ducks on the river. A couple of the ducks had obviously been hunted before as they were off the water and gone as soon as they saw me. Others didn't seem to be too concerned.
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I cruised east up the pavement less than a mile to the turnoff to Coal Pits, aka Dalton Canyon Road.
Climbing up the dugway onto the mesa there was still snow and ice in the shady spots. I didn't have any issues with traction, though.
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Coal Pits borders the west end of Zion National Park. That's a dusting of snow on the peaks.
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Where we used to hunt is now fenced and private property.
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I did do a little exploring on the south end of the mesa, however.
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With the limited amount of public land still available it didn't appear I had much chance of finding the old sawmill, so I headed off the mesa.
In any case, I did get out for a few hours yesterday. The day was cool, but nice with the sun shining and no wind. When I was young we used to hunt deer on Coal Pits, at least that's what the old timers called it. I'm not aware of any coal deposits there. A long time ago I was led to an old sawmill site on Coal Pits mesa, and I thought I would like to nose around and see if I could find it again. I took my usual route out of the valley to the east. Yes, winter has arrived in southern Utah.
I connected with one of my favorite trails, that skirts along the foot of Gooseberry Mesa. It's kind of remote, and not very heavily travelled.
Fortunately the trail had dried out after recent storms. There were a few muddy places, but not too bad.
As I neared the pavement east of Virgin town I spotted an L-19 Bird Dog cruising by about 100 feet off the ground. It was cool. Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to get a decent picture of it. More info here if you're interested in the L-19/O-1.
Crossing over the Virgin River I spotted some ducks on the river. A couple of the ducks had obviously been hunted before as they were off the water and gone as soon as they saw me. Others didn't seem to be too concerned.
I cruised east up the pavement less than a mile to the turnoff to Coal Pits, aka Dalton Canyon Road.
Climbing up the dugway onto the mesa there was still snow and ice in the shady spots. I didn't have any issues with traction, though.
Coal Pits borders the west end of Zion National Park. That's a dusting of snow on the peaks.
Where we used to hunt is now fenced and private property.
With the limited amount of public land still available it didn't appear I had much chance of finding the old sawmill, so I headed off the mesa.
