Gila River Ramble, day 2

It was hard to contain my excitement upon waking up and realizing where I was. A descent of Box Canyon was in my future, followed by pleasant riding all the way to Area 52!

I went all out on this trip, bringing fuel for hot chocolate and oatmeal for breakfast.

We filtered water from the Box, then proceeded to coast down into the labyrinth.

A few people were camped near the entrance to the box, but most were still sleeping. We made our way along the river to the diversion dam, which was stealing most of the flow. There was a small channel that we crossed before pushing our bikes up the embankment, now heading back along the south bank of the Gila.

I’ve always been puzzled at the proliferation of ATV trails south of the river. Today I found myself riding many of the alternates — they are there to avoid mud pits. And not just any mud pits, these were impressively goopy and persistent. The kind of mud you don’t want anywhere near your bike if you can avoid it.

After a half dozen steep mud detours we ascended away from the river, into the dry morning air. Birds were a tweetin’, bees a swarmin’ and pedals a crankin’. All the makings of a perfect day.

In the shadow of South Butte, we turned off the rocky road, crossed a drainage and emerged on the white rock. This ramp would grant us access to Area 52.

photo by Lee Blackwell

“Excited” doesn’t begin to explain how it felt to be there. I didn’t know how well we would be able to cover the inherently difficult riding on the mesa, camping gear and all. But my new bike absolutely slayed it. I felt blissfully comfortable out there. I forgot for some time that I was riding a “loaded” bike.

This was Lee’s first Area 52 experience. It was fun to show him all the moves and curiosities along the way.

For the most part, it shows itself.

Lee did really well, though he pointed out, “I can’t seem to read the terrain like you do.” I told him it took me several trips out here to really get a grasp on what’s rideable, and what is not. We rolled out past the anvil, the keyhole and down to the waterfall. The waterfall held a giant pool of water at its base, and a tiny trickle. Plenty for a bikepacker, but we didn’t need any.

We made our exit off the main mesa by way of the waterfall’s side channel. Pushing our bikes onto the upper slopes of the east mesa was a challenge that bordered on climb-a-bike at times. My memory of the rideable lines out here is a little fuzzy.

Lee was a good sport about it. No doubt freeriding through Area 52 was not the most efficient way to get where we were going, but I think he really enjoyed seeing it.

From the solid rock we dropped into the wide sandy flats of Donnelly wash, where we went into search mode for a 2 track that I had found in TopoFusion and that we had verified from high on Area 52. It seemed obvious from above, but proved harder to find down in the trees.

The next 10 miles were all new to me, and were jaw droppingly beautiful.

The road snaked up a small ridgeline, around the shoulder of Gray Back (where many an interesting rock formation tempted my tires). All the while it offered stellar views of the gnarly and beautiful terrain on the other side of the river — where we had been riding yesterday.

We rejoined the Arizona Trail just as it swoops its way down into Ripsey wash. We were both losing ourselves in the trail, blowing right by the ‘bathtub’ spring at first. The pipe was running (woo!) so we filled a couple bottles and proceeded on.

The infamous “big hill” switchbacks loomed on the horizon, but we weren’t intimidated. We knew the rewards that await at the top. And for some strange reason, it wasn’t hot. Just warm enough to make you think about it, until the next breeze comes along.

I think I may have the perfect bikepacking bike. I can’t believe how much of a difference small changes in my setup have made.

It was nice to feel the flush of a good climbing effort in the post equinox sun. We sat down for a break at the top.

Then there was nothing to do but gobble up sweet ridgeline trail.

Time seems to stand still as you float and carve your way along this pleasantly vague trail.

Until you hit the megaton switchback attack, where you really have to pay attention to stay on the trail. I think a single motorcycle had ridden the trail and blown a bunch of new rocks into most of the switchback platforms. It just made them that much more challenging and fun, though, and I managed to get most of them… smile growing wider with each one.

You can see in the above photo how orange the hill opposite the switchbacks is. Why?

Poppies, of course! We were a little early for flowers on upper Ripsey, but there was no shortage on the lower slopes.

Like all good things, the descent and trail came to its end. We had closed the loop with a couple hours of daylight to spare. We both agreed the loop was the perfect 2 day bikepack — not too much riding, not too little. A nice combination of singletrack, exploration, 4×4 roads, free ride rock and incredible scenery.

All that remained was to fill the void in our stomachs… at Mammoth’s La Casita (some of the best Mexican food anywhere).

Lee spotted a sign “cones – $1” as we were leaving. The combination of the warm Ripsey climb and the heat of the salsa on our tongues made it so there was really no decision to be made. The cones disappeared before we made Oracle.

I think this trip may happen again, perhaps next weekend. I can’t see why not!