Southwestern Burnup Tour - Sierra Nevada, Buckskin Gulch, and Zion - September 2011

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After about 10 or 15 minutes, the trail angled away from the rim of the Virgin River and its dry side-canyons, and we came to a junction. A trail off to the right continued rim-side, and the JEM trail continued uphill across a sagebrush (and other desert plants) dotted slope. For the most part the trail's tread is quite smooth and easy. In a few spots there were minor little ledges and broken bedrock to surmount.

J.E.M. trailsign

Arn and his cycle

View from the Handlebars

This was the first time for me on a high-quality modern mountain bike -- a Trek Rumblefish with 29-inch wheels -- and it was amazing how easily the bike handled any of the rough sections.

The incline of the JEM trail wasn't overall that steep. There were a few steeper spots that required some exertion, but overall it wasn't at all bad. The combination of heat and uphill, though, was getting to Jenn and Gosia, and partway up, they decided to turn around and head back at a leisurely pace. Arn and I were feeling pretty good, and were keen to see what the upper part of trail was like. We were having a very fun time!

courtesy JInnes

Through a desert garden

Gosia on J.E.M. Trail

Approaching intermediate rim

Arn and I crossed miles of beautiful wide-open desert singletrack, making good time. The trail started to approach some colorful-looking cliff bands, which I knew to mean that we were getting close to the only significant steep climb of the trail, and also that we weren't all that far from the upper trailhead. Far above the lower cliffs upon which the JEM trail was soon to ascend, I could see the butte which marked the eastern tip of Gooseberry Mesa. Above and beyond that tip was a lot more quality mountain-biking!

Approaching intermediate rim

Arn and I had run out of time. We had calculated the point at which we'd have to turn around and head back in order to comfortably arrive before the cycle rental shop closed, and that time had come. We would not get a chance to see the upper bit of the JEM trail today.

It was time for Arn and I to experience the cruise back down to the trailhead. Since we had just cycled up all of the trail we were about to descend, we knew what to expect: mostly smooth open-desert singletrack with a fun easily little obstacles.

Looking downhill, J.E.M. Trail

Gentle Ridgetop Cycling

Singletrack through Shrubbery

We sped back down the JEM trail, stopping only for me to take a few pictures and video clips. We soon caught up to Jenn and Gosia. Continuing again as a foursome, we made our way carefully back along the lower exposed bit of trail. Jenn had a few unfortunate spills during the last little bit, but fortunately she came away with only minor cuts and bruises. After witnessing Jenn's crashes, Gosia descided to walk the exposed bits of trail.