Today started at 5500ft and ended at 8000ft. There were some descents as well but a lot of climbing – most of it in a 1000ft climb before lunch and a 1200ft climb after lunch. Overall it wasn’t as much as I expected but instead an exercise of going into low gear and slowly climbing the hills.

The entire day was riding US 40. There were good shoulders and a moderate amount of traffic. Enough so that in areas with climbing lanes, the vehicles often wouldn’t move over because of others to their left. I saw many double tanker trucks and also many campers. The campers seemed to be mostly going my direction towards more populated parts of Utah.

Early morning Duchesne past the high school and then out of town.

Starvation Reservoir was the first large reservoir I passed today.

This bridge over Starvation Reservoir was start of a 1000ft climb. The grade was gentle so just a slow steady climb.

Top of the climb. There was a Utah State Trooper just before this. I saw him make two traffic stops. First one headed my direction just after the climb. Lights on and the car stopped. Once this was done he pulled over a truck going my direction. Both stops were quick but I also had extra time since I was still climbing.

Bridge to nowhere

Fruitland was just before the midpoint. There was a gas station/restaurant here. I got several things here for an early lunch. This area seemed to have 5 to 10 acre lots with vacation homes. Enough people lived around here that the LDS church a mile later had a full parking lot.

Start of the second climb of 1200ft. There was a RV park here and the climb started by following a valley upwards.

A little past top of the second big climb. Strawberry Reservoir is a huge reservoir and the road skirted around it for half a dozen miles. Bright sun, only a little wind and reasonable temperature.

This valley is upper reaches of the Strawberry River. This goes through both reservoirs and then past Duchesne.

Daniel’s Summit and the top. The lodge is also visible in the picture to the left. I was there by 3pm which was earlier than I expected. Overall a good day of riding with a lot of climbing.