One of the advantages of getting on the trail early in the year is that there is nobody else there. Occasionally you will see another human and think to yourself "what are they doing on my trail?". A misrepresented piece of entitlement I enjoy quite often. The disadvantage of getting out early in the year is that there is nobody else there. What the what?
I am not one to be afraid of the dark and sometimes I can be found riding a mountain trail in the dark, sometimes not properly prepared with adequate lighting. I keep a 300 lumen light always packed on my bike but sometimes the battery is low and then it is no longer 300. If I know I will be in the dark then I will pack 3000 lumen or more. A trail out in the sticks can be dark and disabling. I have always found my way out but at times I have had some close calls. Riding and hiking in cliffed areas and poorly marked trails have lead me on many occasions into dark forested areas because I accidentally followed a game trail instead of the trail I was supposed to be on. Then you get that feeling that you are being watched by something in the dark shadows. You probably are being watched.
I love this area. Someone has always got a good Bigfoot story. Here is a couple of sightings caught on film in nearby canyons. You be the judge:
American Fork Canyon
Provo Canyon
Artist rendition
Famous Photo
One of the legends from the Escalante expedition come directly from the cross that I ride by all the time. I it said that Escalante built the cross to ward off demon wolves that he claimed were following him and his party. This story always reminds me of a hike I did with my niece and nephew. I told them the story of "Bigjaw", clearly Bigfoot's brother. They kept wandering off until I told the story and then they stayed real close. Seems like a good motivator to me.
This is the place where I do a lot of biking. It is close to my house and it is a great trail.
I have never seen a Bigfoot or a demon wolf but I have seen large stacks of bear bones in this area. I asked around to see if someone might have an opinion of how that happens and the best answer I heard was that a big cougar lives up here. This canyon used to be and still is somewhat a place for game herd passage. I see herds all the time up here. Ten years ago we had a drought and some bears came through this way to get to the corn fields for some winter fattening.
