This typical itinerary illustrates a bike trip through Dinosaur National
Monument on the Yampa Bench. The Yampa Bench itinerary will vary with
the time of season, weather conditions on the trip and scheduling of campsites.
Day 1
Meet group at headquarters in Vernal,
Utah. A one and a half hour van ride takes us to Iron Springs overlook
for a magnificent view of things to come. Time to fill your water
bottle and adjust your bike seat for one of the most spectacular downhill
glides on the Colorado Plateau. Seven miles and two thousand vertical
feet later you will have made the descent from the high plateau through
Sand Canyon to the Yampa Bench. Riding along the mostly level bench
takes us past breathtaking overlooks where we can view the Yampa River
one-thousand feet below. We will camp near Johnson Canyon where a
short hike reveals an area noted for its rare plants.
Day 2
Day two will be our most ambitious
day of biking (20-25 miles). A morning roller coaster ride takes us
past the old Baker homestead, beyond Haystack Rock to the beginning
of our climb over Blue Mountain's Ridge tops. Two miles and 700 vertical
feet of pedaling deliver us into Bear Valley where we receive our
reprieve; several miles of smooth sailing. We will camp this evening
at the head of Disappointment Draw with distant views of the Yampa
Valley.
Day 3
This day begins with a short morning ride
before hiking down disappointment draw to where our vans will be waiting.
Arrival back in Vernal is approximately 1:00 p.m..
Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Dinosaur National Monument. More Visitor Guides are available in South Dakota. Click here to view them all!
Uintah County - Vernal Northeastern Utah
Uintah County - Vernal
Northeastern UtahEnjoy Dinosaur National Monument, scenic byways, state parks, wilderness areas, heritage trails, petroglyphs, and family fun. It's world-class fishing, river running, biking, hiking, and camping in alpine meadows and red rock canyons. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Utah - Life Elevated Statewide
Utah - Life Elevated
StatewideWith five national parks and more than 40 state parks, Utah offers a wealth of outdoor activities for families & adventurers alike. Order your free Travel Guide today. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Visit Moffat County Northwestern Colorado
Visit Moffat County
Northwestern ColoradoWelcome to Colorado’s Great Northwest, Moffat County has nearly 2 million acres of public lands to explore. Experience places like Dinosaur National Monument, the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Management Area and free flowing rivers including the mighty Yampa, last of the wild ones! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
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