Leslie Gulch

Our plan was to take the bikes and do a nice days ride in the Succor Creek/Leslie Gulch area.

The forecast was for a 70% chance of thunderstorms. That proved to be true as the morning was very overcast and the rain showers starting. It is no fun riding in the cold and rain, so we went with plan "B". Drop the bikes and just take the drive.

This trip was not our idea, we were invited by "G" and "V". They ride ATV and do enjoy the outdoors.

Once we all made changes and unloaded stuff , we gathered at our house and left about 9:00am. The new plan was to take Succor Creek road in to the Junction and then to Leslie Gulch from there. Hopefully we would eat lunch at the Leslie Gulch Campground.

The roads were not bad. Wet with a light sprinkle. We made pretty good time headed for Succor Creek canyon.

We lost them? Oh, wait! L has them on the FRS radio. They are ahead of us?

"G" took a short cut down the hill.

Up ahead we see a geocache on our map so we stop for a quick look.

G-n-V pose for a reluctant photo? This little cave went in maybe fifty feet or so. Someone had used straw to smoke it out pretty well. It still wreaked of burnt straw. I don't know why for sure. With the low ceiling we only went in about half way. None of us were equipped for crawling into a cozy spot snakes might be holed up for the lousy weather.

Skunked on the cache. The pile of rocks marked the spot, but we were not hardcore enough to spend lots of time in the rain searching. Moving on and now into the canyon.

Lots of water flowing. It is now raining pretty good. You can normally step right over this little creek at this point. Not today. The roads are still pretty good with just a few ruts and holes.

Things are very green all the way in to Succor Creek Campground. We stopped for a brief potty break and moved on as it was still raining enough to spur us on.

Not many pictures of the climb up and out to the junction. There were some very muddy and off camber roads. One section driven sideways as I just could not get the back end to come around to following the front.

Once out to the junction, the roads improved greatly. The first leg is a pretty good climb. We gain nearly 3000 ft in this journey. 1500 feet of that in this short section. We top out just over 4800 feet.

Once over the top we start to drop into the canyon and the sights just get better and better.

Still raining this road is showing lots of little drainages running muddy and strong. On the way down we are flagged by an approaching vehicle and told that a 40' motorhome is high centered in one of the crossings ahead of us. Run off has cut the crossings deep and this motorhome hangs pretty low. There is room to get around it so we proceed onward. We met the motorhome on its way out not far from there. They had solved their problem and were on the way out.

Now into the canyon majestic sights abound.

Geology like no where else. A black frosting of rock over a soft rock formation.

Once down to the Leslie Gulch campsite, we took advantage of one of the covered tables and ate our lunch. We did spend a little time visiting and checking things out, but with temps in the upper thirties getting back into the trucks gets pretty darned attractive. Heated seats rock! We made a run on down to check out the lake.

Not much boat ramp left here. By that I mean , another three feet in elevation and there is no more need for a ramp. The water will be at its top. Looking around it appears to be nearly as high as it has ever been here. There were still several campers at the campground and lots of rigs in the parking area. A few boats waiting alongside the ramp. Time for us to head on out.

This Ford in the parking area had a really cool topper.

The lid lifted on gas shocks like a hard tonneau. The sides were canvas, so I assume it lifted to form a very liveable camping enclosure on the back. Pretty sweet set-up.

The road out was very good. We even thought we might get a break in the rain and have the sun peek out for a time.

That last one looked like something straight out of Hollywood. Maybe a scene from Lord of the Rings?

Every little wash still running murky water.

This place really does have world class sights. Seeing it "in the wet" is another world. So green and rugged all in the same frame. Sheer walls cut straight and soft rolls painted with rock. Such variety.

This stuff is pretty cool:

The road out had the lighting to our backs and we really had a chance to "ooh, and ahh" at all the formations.

This spot warranted a stop to try a panoramic shot. More because the rain had slowed and I thought the sun might break through.

This section of road had lots of the native bird. I guess the Chuckars are somewhat shy about pictures being taken.

Back down the road...we thought we might touch the clouds on the way back up and out.

Back up on top of the world at 4800 feet again. These next two panoramic shots give you a 270 degree view.

Poser shot at the top.

We did not ride the bikes, the bikes we did not ride. We did not touch the sky it did not reach. The roads were wet and muddy, but it was a wonderful Sunday.

The road stretches out straight ahead. An hour to home from here...

Over...

...and out.

(You can find the full album of higher res photos here: BLT Offroad - Leslie Gulch )