CR22 Flaming Gorge Alt Loop Rd s(u) by Bicycle - Velo

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CR22 Flaming Gorge Alt Loop Rd s(u)

This unpaved alternative to the northern end of Flaming Loop Rd bypasses the monuments of Firehole Basin in favor of a short steep hill with far views. Of course there is no law against riding them in the same loop, thus getting a flavor of both. Such a loop is a different experience than the long, straight mesas with less details in the landscape, characteristic for the rest of the Flaming Gorge Loop Rd.

1.START-END NORTH: Firehole Canyon Rd crosses a small branch of the lane
2.profile turns left onto CR22
3.TOP, 7370ft
4.profile turns left on Sage Creek Rd
5.START-END SOUTH: jct Sage Creek Rd - CR33 Flaming Gorge Loop Rd

Approaches

From North. When approaching the jct to FR22 from US199 and Firehole Canyon Rd, the turnoff happens before you can see the first monuments of Firehole Basin. But the profile starts at the latter to maximize elevation gain, which is not big.

But it certain is steep. On top is a small but distinct plateau, which is just a bit higher than everything else in the immediate vicinity, in order to provide a kind of mountain top experience.

From South. (described downwards) Summit switchbacks are rare, here in the canyons and plateaus of the upper Green River tributaries. But here they are. The sign at the junction with Sage Creek Rd is a little confusing. It states Firehole Canyon, pointing in the direction we came from. The road itself is not Firehole Canyon, but if you take this road to the end, back to where the description of the northern approach starts, you will have reached Firehole Canyon. But even this is not the easiest way to get there from the signed location.

Dayride with this point as highest summit

PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED

( < US191 - Firehole Cny Rd(sh) | US191 - Firehole Cny Rd(sh) > )

CR22 Flaming Gorge Alt Loop Rd s(u) , CR33 Flaming Gorge Rd s(u)-2 x2, CR33 Flaming Gorge RSd s(u)-3 x2 : jct CR33 Firehole Canyon Rd - Little Firehole Canyon Rd > Cr33 west > CR22 west > CR22 Flaming Gorge Alt Loop Rd s(u) > jct Sage Creek Rd - CR33 Flaming Gorge Rd <> CR33 south <> CR33 Flaming Gorge Rd s(u)-2 X2 , CR33 Flaming Gorge Rd s(u)-3 x2 <> FR155 west << turnaround point on Flaming Gorge Reservoir with various short detours along the shore >> CR33 Flaming Gorge Rd west <> another out and back to the lake on an unlabeled road > Firehole Basin > CR33 Firehole Canyon Rd back to the starting point at ct CR33 Firehole Canyon Rd - Little Firehole Canyon Rd : 63.4miles with 5260ft of climbing in 6:46hrs (garmin etrex32x 6:25.05.23).
Notes: it's very warm again. On the way back I noticed two possibilites to ride direction Little Mountan from the tops of the CR33 Flaming Gorge Rd summits, for possible future rides.