Day 7: Marysvale to Richfield

May 14, 2022

Today is somewhat of a rest day because the distance is short and the climbing is minimal. Once again I'm mainly following the Sevier river downstream.

Marysvale has no restaurant serving breakfast. The crappy gas station store also doesn't serve breakfast. I bought a box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal and made oatmeal using the microwave in my room.

US 89 climbs gently for a couple miles to get out of Marysvale, but then enters a canyon with the Sevier river, going downstream.

Sevier river flowing through another awesome canyon.

I stopped to look at a couple of large creeks flowing into the Sevier river, increasing the flow substantially. The Sevier river is now big enough for rafting.

Several large creeks bulk up the flow of the Sevier river.

The canyon looks great even when you can't see the river.

I saw where a bike trail began, but stayed on the wide road because I wasn't sure where the trail might end. It might end across the river with no bridge to get back to the road. I did ride the trail for a couple miles outside the canyon when it was obvious that it connected to the road.

I didn't use the bike trail across the river because I didn't know where it ended.

Sevier river below the canyon in a wide valley.

I expected the terrain to be mostly flat in the wide valley. US 89 might be flat but I turned onto UT 118 towards Monroe. That quiet back road climbs 200 feet up a steep hill, then slowly descends to town.

In Monroe I turned right on 300 N Street and pedaled 1.25 mile up a steep hill to Red Hill hot spring. It's on unfenced public land, open to the public with no admission fee. Very different from nearby Mystic Hot Spring which charges $23 per person.

The engineered source of Red Hill hot spring. 1 mile up a hill from the town of Monroe.

The hot spring has a variety of pool temperatures to choose from. I soaked in the lowest pool which was 96F. The water has a huge mineral content and smells slightly sulfury. The pools are simply dirt mudpots. It's impossible to get out without having red stuff all over your swimsuit. There is a vault toilet but no other water supply. No place to wash off afterwards.

Snow-capped mountains are becoming a regular sight. View from the hot spring.

I soaked for only 45 minutes. I was there at mid day and don't want to get sunburned. Afterwards I pedaled back into Monroe to look around the town. It has many old houses and businesses. The town hasn't gentrified but it seems to be doing okay. It's very quiet because it's 5 miles away from I-70. It's a quiet, charming little Mormon town.

It didn't take long to pedal from Monroe to Richfield on UT 118. Flat with a southwest tailwind. Temperature warmed up to 81F today.

Approaching Richfield, Utah. First McDonalds and Walmart since day 1.

At first Richfield seems to be a new suburban town adjacent to I-70. But I was pleased to see that Richfield does have a historic Main Street area as well.

Tonight's home is Quality Inn Richfield. More expensive than most Quality Inns, but also nicer. I arrived at 3:10 PM after looking around downtown. Took a nap from 4-6 PM, then had dinner at the Mexican restaurant across the street. Richfield is the biggest town I've seen since day 1. It's nice to have more and better services.

I succeeded in having a semi-rest day which is a good thing because the next two days will be unusually long.

Distance: 36 mi. (58 km)
Average Speed: 10.3 mph (16.5 km/h)
Ascent/Descent: +833/-1266 ft. (+254/-386 m)
Miles 197-231 on the route map

Today's ride: 36 miles (58 km)
Total: 258 miles (415 km)

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marilyn swettWe drove Highway 89 last year when we went to Bryce and thought at the time that it would make a good route for a tour. So your journal has been interesting reading.
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1 year ago

Wayne EstesUS 89 is mostly a decent cycling route. Traffic can be heavy but it almost always has a wide paved shoulder.
Farther north I have more parallel roads and trails to choose from, but sometimes I stay on US 89 to go to a Temple.
US Bicycle Route 77 is the "default" cycling route up the middle of Utah. It uses US 89 when necessary.
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1 year ago