Bear’s Ears – Day 6

You can’t really see it on the map but under the highway “261” marker, the route is a very convoluted and squiggly line. Looking at the profile to the left, you can see that the squiggly route is in fact a rather precipitous rise called the Moki Dugway. It was cut through the cliffs in the 1950’s as a way to bring uranium from a mine on the Cedar Mesa above down to the processing plant near Mexican Hat.

The day started well with another amazing breakfast at the VOG B&B beginning at 06:30. We were again worried about wind but also anxious to get back to our cars early enough to make the drive home. We needn’t have worried. The day was perfect with cool weather to climb the “cliff” and a tail wind to push us across the top of Cedar Mesa.

The VOG B&B was at the base of the cliff we were to climb. Looking North from their parking lot we could partially make out the road weaving back and forth across the cliff. It was a little intimidating looking up. The signs didn’t help us feel any better with a 10% grade. At least we didn’t have to worry about breaking the speed limit. Jon and Anne led the way with Gloria in a close second, and me slogging it out far behind.

It was steep and we definitely took many stops along the way while using low gears, but it wasn’t terrible. Everyone patiently waited for the 2 cyclinder engine at the top. The views – especially with the sun still low in the sky – were amazing. We could basically see most of where we had ridden the past two days: Mexican Hat, Valley of the Gods, and the San Juan River Goosenecks. That’s something we sometimes forget living in the West – the expanse. Both of empty land and the ability to see so much of it at once. Our trip last fall into the northeast was beautiful, but looking up or down the Hudson River were the “big” views.

The ride across Cedar Mesa I got to play Lance Armstrong – minus the steroids. It was mostly level and we had a slight tailwind. I was almost able to avoid having everyone constantly waiting for me. As we moved North we began seeing Bear’s Ears like we’d seen on the first day of the trip – now on the last day of our trip and finishing the loop – or rather rectangle route.

We all survived and even Pokey and Gumby made it back with us – a true miracle. The equipment did well although we did have one pedal fall off and a tire blow off the rim – both were my errors. The only true equipment failure was the battery charger. Something to keep in mind for future rides. I strongly recommend Bear’s Ears area to anyone wanting to see the desert Southwest and enjoy it’s wide open spaces. If you want the best experience, try to take along our friends Jon and Anne. Jon will do an amazing job of recording the trip and Anne will guide you to everything worth seeing along the way while telling you the name of every flower.

Now enjoy a video summary of the trip – One of the advantages of bringing a professor of communications along on the trip. Thank you Jon!