Hole in the Rock Trail near Lake Pagahrit

The plan was to follow the trail of the pioneers of Bluff Utah from the point where they crossed the Colorado River to Lake Pagahrit. This trail goes from Cottonwood Canyon on Lake Powell up to the top of Grey Mesa and then across slick rock to the remains of Lake Pagahrit. We thought we could ride this trail on mountain bikes from Lake Powell to Lake Pagahrit in a day and a half. Hah! We were wrong! By the time we got off of Grey Mesa (half-way point)our time (day and a half)and our food were gone and my wife didn't know where we were and was about ready to call Search and Rescue (Cell phones failed). I left my brother and his hungry kids (along with their bikes and camping gear) and started out as fast as I could go on my bicycle to notify my wife that we were "all right." Well some very kind guys on dirt bikes from Monticello gave me and my son a quick ride to the Cal Black Memorial Airport where my wife and daughter were anxiously waiting. The next day we borrowed my Uncle's Nissan (he lives in Blanding Utah) and went with my cousin and his son-in-law in a Jeep and rescued my brother and his two kids along with all 5 bicycles. My uncle was very kind to let me do this to his truck. It is great to have relatives that are willing to help you out when you are in trouble. This country between the San Juan and Colorado Rivers is amazingly rugged and remote wilderness. It is somewhat overwhelming to realize that 127 years ago a group of very tough Mormon Pioneers were able to pull wagons and blaze a trail through this area and actually make it to Bluff from Escalante. Their "6 week" journey actually took them 6 months. Having experienced a small section of their journey, I now understand why.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Pagahrit
• Hole
• in
• the
• Rock
• Trail
• Lake
• Powell
• 4WD
• Bluff
• San
• Juan
• County

[shoggie]

There are a lot cooler spots on this trip to film, like the chute. Of course I have seen pics of the upside down results of too much gas pedal in the chute itself. This is a fun ride, but you are right.... Our first time in we waded through 2-3' of water in places from flash floods.

Air the tires down and make an escape plan.

[red1100cc]

luckey yall made it out alive. it will always take 3 times longer than you think, and take 5 times the provisitions you should need. quite the adventure!