Jackson Trail

Moab, UT
June 12, 2013

To get to Jackson Trail turn right off  Hwy 191 south (or Main Street) at the McDonalds onto Kane Creek Road. The trailhead is at the first parking lot where the pavement ends and the gravel 4X4 road begins.

 This trail is not in our guide book...it is a mountain bike trail, but we thought if bikes can do it, we sure can too!

The trail makes a steep descent towards Kane Creek.

The bright green tree tops caught my eye... just maybe we would enjoy some shade on this hike.



 Not so lucky...once we crossed the creek, we made a quick climb up.

This is a single lane, well used trail. We did see bike tracks.



 As we followed the winding trail, it lead us to a very narrow slickrock shelf right above the creek.

        

 The water in this stream was murky and dark, yet it offered a nice reflection of rock walls, trees and the sky.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

And then Joe disappeared!
  We found ourselves in the middle of a thicket of trees...

...tangled up in clumps of webs. But, I can report, no mosquito bites!

Just at the point we thought we might turn around and go back, the creek joined the Colorado River.

 This is a view looking back at the Colorado...just a beautiful sight!






From here, it was a long, narrow walk...mostly up








with minimal switchbacks.

The arch from the side...

 I am always on the lookout for something interesting to photograph. We did spot an arch in the making...

and a view from the front...thought the glow was neat.

                                                          

Hopi Blanketflower

and a few wildflowers I haven't photographed yet.

Desert Trumpet

This gas line followed most of the trail. It made a pretty backdrop for the grasses.





Speaking of grasses...at Dr. Gostlin's vet office we read about the dangers with a couple of grasses and dogs. Cheatgrass was one of them. It has small barbs on it and they often get caught in puppy ears and paws causing a lot of discomfort and issues.

We will be even more cautious with our pups on trails now. We saw a lot of Cheatgrass on this hike.






After we had turned around to head back, Joe spotted this bird. We think it is a hawk and were privileged to see it swoop down and reappear with breakfast. It is hard to see in the photo below, but he does have talons full of something that looks rather large...we are not sure what.


He is headed for that ledge to enjoy the catch of the day. Those pictures were way to blurry to post.

We could only imagine what kind of wildlife calls these spots home. Very interesting formations in the rock walls along the creek.

 We were walking on the edge to say the least.






We both agreed this was an interesting hike. It was right at 4 miles from start to finish.
                                                            

 We hope everyone has a great week-end. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

 

Thanks for visiting and as always, we look forward to your comments.

Y'all come back!