Hell's Gate National Park

Another early morning start.  The six of us had to select bikes for today's adventure.  The front brakes of my bike were on the right (normally the back), which made me worry if I had to stop quickly and act out of instinct, I'd flip over the handlebars.  The group road 5 km to the park down the main road. No one wears helmets, so it was a little disconcerting, but it was worth it.

The landscape of Hell's Gate was the inspiration for the pridelands in The Lion King.  It was a beautiful expanse.  There were towering rock faces of various oranges and brown on each side.  The grasslands were filled with warthogs, zebras, giraffes and antelope. None of them cared as we road by.

We biked about 7 km to the gorge at the middle of the park.  Laying our bikes against a tree, we followed John for a guided hike.  Rather than just walk along a path, we went directly into the gorge.  We were splashing in the water, our sneakers covered in mud.  We climbed, slipped and made slow progress through the gorge. It was so much fun! I've spent the last few years doing similar acrobatic excursions in Red River Gorge in Kentucky and it's my favorite type of hiking.

The gorge was the setting for Tomb Raider 2, pretty cool.  You could see where the rushing water had left behind indentations in the rocks. There was obsidian, a volcanic rock, everywhere.  It was black, shiney and very hard.  It was also very sharp and has been used for arrowheads.

There were hot springs in the gorge with dark green algae growing in the water.

I was able to stand on pride rock, which had the most beautiful view of the gorge.

This was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I'd highly recommend the bike tour for anyone coming to visit.

Our guide for this trip was awesome.  He grew up in a village in Hell's Gate.  Since the age of 8 he's had free range of the park and knows every square inch.  His aunt was also a guide, he followed in her footsteps. He told me in order to become a guide you need to take biology in school. He remembered his lessons well and pretty much knew everything.