Slaughterhouse Gulch
Back in the day, we used to run Slaughterhouse Gulch at least once a year. It was one of our favorite trails, and we always had a good time there. Over the last few years, though, it seems to have been replaced by other trails for us. This year, however, we were going to enjoy it again like we used to.
We only had five vehicles on the trail, which was nice. It was a sunny day and it promised to be a good one on the trail. We aired down at the trailhead and we were soon on our way. We saw a couple people camping but otherwise the trail was pretty empty.
When we got to Poser Rock, only a few people got on it. Matt felt his rear tire getting light, and he stopped there for poser pictures. Bryan got some good flex on it, too. Walt gave it a good try but his bumper wouldn't let him really get up on the rock unless he gunned it, and he decided that wasn't a good idea.
We stopped for a little break in the open area just before heading down the hill, but then it was time to descend. It sure is easier when it isn't covered in snow and ice. No one had any issues and we were soon down at the bottom.
It was very green, with lots of trees surrounding the trail. There were also lots of wild flowers on both sides. There wasn't much mud, and the mud hole that once gave us some trouble as well as some fun was dried up and filled in with logs.
It didn't take us long at all to get to the bottom of the hill that takes you back up to the top. We had heard that the whoopdeedoos were filled in, so we were very happy to find out that the rumors weren't true. The trail was as fun as it always had been in the past.
We didn't remember so many options to climb the base of the hill, however. We all took different lines, too. Monica went up the old way on the left, Mark went up the middle, and the other people went up the right side. They were all fun in their own way, though it seemed like the left line was steeper and the right light was looser with more rocks. The middle line was definitely the easiest way up.
The whoopdeedoo section has changed here and there but it was still quite a bit of fun. Almost everyone went through it, testing their suspensions along the way. Bryan had his mom along in the passenger seat, and they both looked like they had a blast.
We kept going up the hill, enjoying its challenges. When we came to flat spot that had parking, we stopped for lunch. It was a good time sitting and chatting, as always.
The gate was up by the mud pits, closing that area off as well as blocking the way to the Crow Creek trail. We had hoped to take that way out to the highway as an alternate exit, but it wasn't meant to be. So we headed out the usual way.
We finally stopped at the gas station near the highway, and it was just as busy as ever. Bryan and Mark headed for home while Monica, Matt and Walt all continued on with their adventures. It was still very early in the afternoon and the day held more promises.
Reports from Other Days: 15
Use the arrows or dots to flip through the previews of the other reports for Slaughterhouse Gulch. Click one of them to read more and see all of the photos from that day.
