Fruita, UT, to almost to Escalate, UT, – 51mi , 6306ft elevation gain

Phew. Not sure how to describe today. We left Capitol Reef overlook this morning before sunrise and headed for Escalante. I cycled up to 9600 in elevation again. I had over 30 miles of climbing and many of them at 8-11% grade. I then came down into the canyons and into Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument when at 51.9 miles Jocelynn called the day at 100 degrees. While the mountain climbing was hard the temp ( much lower) and the trees were so very nice. I loved seeing cattle and hearing birds too.

Forgot to start Strava today. 😳

We visited Escalante Petrified State Park. Kinda bummed as we could only see a few pieces with out a lengthy hike. I simply didn’t have it in me to hike this afternoon.

Tomorrow I have about 16 miles into Escalante. I am at a very difficult down section with decents at 14%. This section is about 4 miles. I am praying on whether to cash in some of my bonus miles from VA when I got lost. BUT who doesn’t do a downhill? I am praying. It might be a walk a bike down otherwise. Just super dangerous.

Funny of the day. I pulled into my camp spot and a lady approached and told me she didn’t have a reservation for me. I pulled up my “contactless” text message and she quickly explained that I was at the wrong RV park. Whoops!!! Thankfully the right RV park is much nicer.