Red Rocks and Hoodoos: Day 3 Bikepacking the Aquarius Trail

# Red Rocks and Hoodoos

Find the first 2 days here: [https://youtu.be/Bb7WAP03x-k](https://youtu.be/Bb7WAP03x-k)

On the third day of our journey, we embarked on a captivating exploration of the breathtaking Red Canyon, nestled in the heart of Dixie National Forest, Utah, just on the outskirts of Bryce Canyon National Park. Red Canyon stands out as a haven for picturesque scenery, featuring a network of rocky single tracks that meander through the enchanting landscape adorned with ponderosa forests and striking red rock hoodoos.

We woke up to find that a rodent had chewed through the strap of one of our helmets. Disaster! Well, we were prepared. With some superglue, zip ties, and duct tape we managed to perform surgery and make it usable. The amazing folks with the Aquarius Trail Huts delivered us a new helmet at our hut at the end of the day.

Departing from the Butch Cassidy Hut, our adventure took us to the trailhead of the renowned Thunder Mountain Trail only a few miles away. Eager to savor the tranquility of the morning, we set out early, narrowly avoiding a sizable procession of tourists on horseback that would have posed a challenge to our ride. The loop retraced our path on the paved and off-highway Red Canyon Bike Trail, where we bypassed the ascent of Costa Canyon, opting instead for a more direct gravel route.

The road unfolded in a remarkable straight line, treating us to panoramic views of expansive open plains framed by majestic cliffs and mountains. The journey culminated with a formidable, sustained climb leading us up to the serene Pine Lake, providing a satisfying conclusion to a day filled with natural wonders and outdoor exploration.

By day’s end we had covered 40 miles (60 km) with 2800 ft (850m) of climbing, with the Pine Lake hut sitting at 8300 ft (2530 m) elevation. We relaxed, looking forward to three more days of riding, including some of the most incredible views I’ve yet encountered in my travels.

All my bikepacking videos can be found here:[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaiawYjP8XM&list=PLEezexXioMhvnnJJ0y5m7axk7wgAPdVxu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaiawYjP8XM&list=PLEezexXioMhvnnJJ0y5m7axk7wgAPdVxu)