Sunday, October 26, 2014

Hurrah!


Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
October 19, 2014


Don't you just love to see a rainbow? 
Isn't that the cutest face ever? Don't tell the rest of the Tan Clan.

Kane Creek Road...
Last week our neighbors were Bav and Helen from England. They were curious about off-road trails so we invited them for a jaunt thru red rock country. Hurrah Pass is a fun, easy trail with expansive views and a great first outing.


About 1.3 miles after the pavement ends on Kane Creek Road, there is a sign for Indian writing. This particular boulder is called the Birthing Rock.





A close-up shows why it is so named. This was a perfect stop for us that day because someone in our group is expecting. Congratulations to Helen!I happened to notice an unusual plant there. I haven't seen this one before. It has fuzzy tentacles and a pretty purplely color.    
 
 
 
 
 


At 1.9 miles, curve down switchbacks took us into Hunter Canyon and a creek crossing.

A few more miles and you are at the pass...
Stopping at the pass...



 A narrow ledge skirts around daunting red cliffs after the pass...






until it reaches the sandy desert floor. And even there the views are massive...
 


 The Colorado River runs along the center of the picture right to left. If you look closely, you will see the trail in the almost bottom center of the picture.

Wind Caves (taken thru the windshield)...
At some point, Hurrah Pass turns into Chicken Corners. We have never gone all the way to the end of that moderate rated trail...its a time thing for us.




Our stopping spot for lunch and exploring is Catacomb Rock or the Wind Caves as the locals say.






It's a lot of fun to hike around the caves...they aren't really caves..., climb the rocks, and explore inside. But don't forget your flashlight!



To get to this point, it took us about 2.5 hours. That's why we have never finished the trail!





Someone's little piece of heaven...

Tomorrow I will be digging around under the bed looking for the long-johns! It's going to be chilly tomorrow and very chilly tomorrow night with the temps dropping below freezing...YIKES!

So until next time, stay safe and...

Chicken Corners...view of the Colorado River and Potash Evaporation Ponds.

happy trails!


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16 comments:

  1. Metamorphosis LisaOctober 26, 2014 at 7:38 PM

    What a gorgeous drive! I envy you your chilly temps...we are kind of baking in the desert right now! I cannot wait to visit red rock country again!

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    1. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 6:27 AM

      Don't be too envious Lisa...it is 29* as I write this! Burr...

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  2. John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)October 26, 2014 at 9:18 PM

    I love this ride!! I don't believe we did any of this. I have listed for our April visit:) I want to explore the "caves!" We have headlamps in our backpack. We are ready!! How nice of you take that couple out to explore. I am sure you had to twist Joe's arm:)

    Love the rainbow!! It is so clear. There are the best rainbows out here.

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    1. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 6:33 AM

      You are so right Pam...rainbows are especially clear here, but my favorite is the nighttime sky! I keep saying I am going to study and learn how to photograph the night sky. Even though I don't like elbow 40*, the colder the nights! the clearer the sky.

      You will love the Hurrah Pass trail and Chicken Corners. Heads up, there will be a new edition of the Guide to Moab Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails. Charles Wells spent a month here and said it should be published in time for Jeep Safari. It's worth every penny!

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    2. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 9:30 AM

      Gayle said it first...damned auto correct!

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  3. Wanderin'October 27, 2014 at 6:48 AM

    Definitely a gorgeous day with lots of beautiful pictures. I really love your header too.

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  4. SueOctober 27, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    Familiar places ! That's a nice ride to introduce someone to the area. Haven't you been out to Chicken Corners? Where it overlooks the Colorado and you can then walk around the ledge ( not me ! ). It's a very pretty spot.
    So glad you are out and about again. Yes, we are leaving just a day late as it is chilly here as well. Just hoping Vail Pass is clean and dry tomorrow ! I really dislike packing up !!

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    1. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 6:41 AM

      What a mix-bag of emotions Sue...to be excited about heading to Florida and knowing you will miss Montrose too! Safe travels!

      We haven't been to the end of Chicken Corners...we have seen it from the other side of the river when we have done Potash Road...I think it's the point where Thelma and Louise went over the cliff.

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  5. AsTimeGoesByeOctober 27, 2014 at 3:10 PM

    You most likely made keeping converts of Bavaria & Helen. How could you not with that gorgeous scenery. The photo of the red rocks loos like a caricature of Richard Nixon on the left.

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    1. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 6:43 AM

      That's so funny Gayle...how did I ever miss that one? We love naming the rocks. There was another picture I didn't include that looked like a row of skeleton heads...

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  6. AsTimeGoesByeOctober 27, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    That should read jeeping, not keeping. Damned auto correct.

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  7. JoanOctober 27, 2014 at 3:13 PM

    What lucky neighbors! I just never tire of seeing your beautiful pictures!

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    1. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 6:47 AM

      Thank you Joan. Hope things have settled back into a routine for you and Steve. We will likely pass thru Las Vegas this spring...hope to see you!

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  8. our awesome travelsOctober 28, 2014 at 5:07 AM

    What a fun day you had showing neighbors the sites is always rewarding.

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    1. Joe and GayOctober 28, 2014 at 6:48 AM

      Oh yes, George...they had a wonderful time and it was fun watching them.

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