This last weekend it was snowing in the high country both Saturday and Sunday. Forecast was for 1 – 2 feet of snow, and we could see the clouds from our back deck. Since I didn’t want to ride solo in those conditions I left the snowmobile at home and took out my ATV. The weather was good enough for a short trip – about 3 hours – into Wild Horse Mesa. Yes, there is that much change in weather between our 5,028 foot elevation and the 10,000 foot plus elevation of Grand Mesa.
As I was heading out the words of John Denver’s “Home Again” stuck in my mind, particularly the phrase “There’s a storm across the valley, clouds are rolling in…” To my left I could see snow falling on the south side of the Colorado River. (Ahead of me a cloud bank was on the horizon.)
Storm across the valley…
The sun was shining so I knew I had some time before I would need to turn around for home. Here is a shot of the landscape as it looks about 8 – 9 miles out. Note the unusuall purple colored rocks in the center. There is a band of this color throughout the region, but it is particularly evident here.
Landscape about 9 miles from home, Wild Horse Mesa
The road, dry at the beginning of the ride, went through a couple of transitions. At about 11.5 miles out it turned muddy as the snow was melting, mile 13 saw a mix of mud and snow, and by mile 15 the road was snow-covered and frozen. It doesn’t seem like the change in elevation is that great, but the changes in road conditions are a reminder that the farther you go the higher you get.
I rode for several miles observing the landscape and looking at the animal tracks. I didn’t see any wildlife, except for a few birds. As I went I kept an eye on the sky knowing the forcast included a 70 percent chance of precipitation. When I saw this cloud bank coming toward me I knew it was time to turn around and head home:
Clouds are rolling in!
The fact that it was already beginning to snow – lightly – reinforced my decision. I was 19 miles out and it had taken me about 90 minutes to get here. (That time included photo stops.) The mud and snow zones cut down on my over-the-road speeds and I was not in a hurry. I knew it would take me as long to return as it had to get to this point.
The ride home was uneventful – but colder – as the clouds continued to build and block the sun. I had to stop once to warm up my right thumb as the ATV has no grip or thumb warmers. (These are available as after-market add-ons but I don’t have a set installed on The Griz.)
Once home I parked The Griz and proceeded to fix myself a nice hot cup of tea. While it was steeping I fired up the Mac, started looking at the photos, and began to plan this post. It was a nice way to finish off the day’s ride.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
An interesting “travel photoblog” – fortunately, the storm was moving in on you rather than cutting off your return.
Looking at satellite images of your area, especially to the north, it all seems pretty much “wilderness” and similar to what you drove through. ‘wonder what it would take to make a (mostly) overland trek to, say, Dinosaur Nat’l Monument?
The mentioned photo (purple stones) is interesting. All the rock looks to be sedimentary, noting the layered pattern on the background hills. The same hills seem to have a high percentage of what’s termed “oil shale” — I believe there was an operation planned & cancelled near Parachute.
The mentioned purple-colored rocks seem to be similar to the more flesh-toned rocks in the foreground-right. Wear patterns would indicate sandstone — a “clays” mixture with iron-oxide could give that tone…
wow that last cloud was scary! you are much braver than i! don’t you get scared out there alone? do you take a gun along in case of trouble?
are there wild horses in the mesa?