XR650R Dual Sport Project & Travels

Rose Garden Hill - 2004

Rose Garden Hill is described as a somewhat hairy climb in the 4x4 guides.  I didn't know if that applied to motorcycles though, and I wanted to find out; besides, it was a convenient route to Top of the World, which I wanted to visit.  After seeing the hill I did not try to climb it, but the ride to it and back was a barrel of monkeys.  For some riders on heavier bikes, like a BMW GS, sections of the path I rode could be a challenge.  Look at the pictures and judge for yourself.  I never did get to visit Top of the World.  I got too low on gas!

Map showing where the Onion Creek, Rose Garden Hill, and Thompson Canyon roads meet, and the back way to Top of the World.	Warning about Rose Garden Hill, posted near the start of Onion Creek.	This sign marks the Rose Garden Hill turn off from Onion Creek road.	Typical early part of the trail.  It forks again and you need to go left.  There's a deep washout at one spot.  Watch your speed unless you like climbing out of ditches.
There are a bunch of large whoops caused by cross-drainage.  These are fun.	Approaching the hill it gets rocky and descends, but still with whoops.  At this point I didn't think the hill looked that bad.	Doesn't look too bad in this shot either.  There's a gully between my bike and the hill.	In the gully looking back towards the way out.
Three shots of the hill, with the last one zoomed in on the worst section.  At this point I had decided not to try it.  I'd like to come back again and walk it.  Maybe there's a reasonable line in there.
Sections of the road on the way out.  On the way in I wondered if I'd have difficulty climbing out again, but it was no problem for the XR.			Emerging into Fisher Valley again, nearing the Eastern end ofOnion Creek road.  From here I rode Thompson Canyon.