Recently in Five Mile Pass Category

Originally, I was intending to volunteer for USFS trail work in the Marysvale/Richfield area over the 9th of July weekend. Instead, a good friend of mine was in need of companionship, so I offered to meet him at 5 Mile Pass for a ride to Eureka (and back).

My youngest (Nick) and his friend (Kevin) thought it would be fun to make a camping trip out of it. That evening (Friday), we loaded the 5th wheel and prepped to head out first thing Saturday morning. I have NEVER camped at 5 Mile Pass in July. Normally, its just too hot and uncomfortable. This weekend, it was supposed to stay in the low-to-mid 80's.

After a few stops for necessities (Starbucks, Walmart, etc) we departed for 5 Mile Pass. We decided to stage on the extreme North/East corner. It took some work, but we got the trailer leveled and situated in less than 45 minutes.















Bill arrived and we took off to Eureka. Unfortunately, 30 minutes into the ride, Bill had a
change of mind and went back home. The boys and I continued our ~50 mile trek to Eureka.

Although temperatures were "supposed" to be mild, it was HOT out in the west desert. The hiking/cliff climbing at 3pm didn't help much with chafing, sweating or general discomfort, but we endured and made it to the top of our favorite cliff-climb.






Burgers in Eureka are phenomenal. If you ever have the chance to drive through, do stop at the East side of town and try a Miner-Burger.

We arrived back at camp just in time for the storm to hit. Within one hour, the sky went from cloudless to some awesome formations.

In early May 2011, I led a group of ~17 ATV's approximately 85 miles round trip from 5 Mile Pass to Eureka and back. My friend Bill recorded much of the ride and posted it online:

5 Mile Pass to Eureka 1 from Bill Zumwalt on Vimeo.

5 Mile Pass to Eureka 2 from Bill Zumwalt on Vimeo.

I've been asked many times to provide a Garmin track for my route from 5Mile Pass to Eureka. Two weeks ago, I took a group of 17 ATV & Motorcyclists on this route and decided to capture a track route. Unfortunately, I powered the GPSr off before saving the entire loop, but got a partial.

A few photos from the event.

I took this Wednesday off to see the changing leaves and hit Mill Canyon before its inaccessible due to snow. The leaves are bright red and the trail was just as rugged as ever. It was clear that very few ATV's have been up the canyon lately. Some video work I did while riding:

Eureka to 5Mile at 55mph! from James King on Vimeo.

Mill Canyon from James King on Vimeo.

Start: N 40 14 10.79  W 112 09 43.12 (south side staging area)
Rock Crawling: N 40° 12.203 W 112° 09.607
Ridge line: N 40° 11.134 W 112° 08.738
Hill Climb:  N 40° 09.718 W 112° 09.490
12 Mile Pass:  N 40° 05.591 W 112° 09.896
Black Rock Canyon: N 40 02 44.66 W 112 09 14.17
Meadow Ride: N 40° 01.899 W 112° 11.519
Mill Canyon (if there's interest): N 40° 01.518 W 112° 13.984
High Point: N 40° 00.207 W 112° 11.815
Eureka Sinclair: N 39° 57.272 W 112° 07.197
Chiulus Pass: N 39° 57.363 W 112° 07.778
Rock Crawl: N 39° 58.224 W 112° 07.718
Allen Ranch Road: N 40° 02.137 W 112° 04.290

..then back toward Five Mile Pass.

Who's coming for the ride?

So, I've decided on a long ATV ride for this saturday. If anybody wants to come along, feel free to join.

I'm going to stage on the South side of Five Mile Pass, ride through some of the side canyons, head through 12 Mile Pass, toward Allen Ranch Road, up into the East side of Black Rock Canyon, through the canyon, out the West side of the Tintics, into Eureka for fuel, then up Homansville, North back toward Five Mile Pass.

PM me if you want to join and I'll provide basic GPSr coordinates.

Specifics:

• ~75 miles round trip (bring extra fuel)
• Some rough sections (winching may occur). I will gladly assist those without winches.
• Long stretches where decent speed may be available
• Geocaching opportunities
• Steep climbing in Mill Canyon (if we decide to go up)
• Great views for enjoying lunch and/or breaks
• Potential for small snow drifts, but these should be passable