Scrub Peak is the second highest peak on the west side of St George. It is hard to get to, few people know its name and it is mostly ignored. I don't know anyone who has been to the top of it but there are a set of radio towers up there and a road to the top. Recently it has been taunting me. Back in February I made my first attempt and was turned back by the combination of a snowstorm and the discovery of a significant hike-a-bike section.
Yesterday Joel and I set out mega prepared to conquer Scrub Peak. I set up my bike as I have planned for Kokopelli Trail race with two water bottle cages, a huge seat bag and a seatpost rack. I loaded down with 144oz of fluids and 2100 calories - expedition rations! On my seatpost rack we bungeed two pairs of running shoes with a plan to ditch the bikes when it got too steep and hike. We were so ready!!
Problem 1: Suspension sag caused my rear wheel to hit the seatpost rack - doh! We moved up the rack and stiffened up the shock.
Problem 2: On the trail with the rack at its highest and suspension at its stiffest my rear tire still buzzed the rack in the bottom of the whoops - darn! So we took off the rack and bungeed the shoes to our Camelbaks - not real happy about that.
Problem 3: The wind picked up like crazy. The higher up we climbed the stronger it was. It was tough riding wind 'cause it was so gusty. It was blowing me off the road and filling Joels contacts with dust so we said feck this, tucked our tails between our legs and skulked home. On the way home we were both blown off the trail a couple of times and I got nailed by a huge flying tumble weed.
Scrub Peak won again. I have to go back to the drawing board to design a new way to get the weight off my back for Kokopelli Trail race. Any better suggestions?