A Hike Through Hunter Canyon

Gopher Flats
Moab, Ut
May 10, 2018

Hunter Canyon is one of those special places Joe and I love this time of year.  This amazing 3 mile out and back trail offers a bit of everything...a twisting canyon, towering sandstone cliffs, burbling water, gnarly cottonwood trees, and lots of wildflowers in May.  It is mostly flat with lots of creek crossings and a little rock scrambling over fallen boulders.  Cottonwood trees and towering canyon walls provide lots of shade. 


This day we were on trail at 8:00am just as the sun was filtering into the canyon.  

Hunter Canyon Arch is barely visible... 

 ...look for it about 1/2 mile into the canyon.

Water in the desert is a real treat making this one of our favorite hikes.  

Springtime in the desert offers an abundance of colors.

Fairy Trumpet Flowers

Prickly Pear Cactus

Yellow Salsify 

Desert Mallow 

Tamarisk

Aster

And we saw our first Sego Lily for the year.  It is Utah's state flower.

I hope if you are ever in Moab, you add Hunter Canyon to your list of things to do. 

Female Cottonwood trees produce tiny red blooms that are followed by masses of seeds with a cottony covering. 

A lot of the Cottonwood trees in the canyon are very old, knotty, and gnarly.  Do you see the lizard ?

Some of the cliff walls had seeping water and gardens.  The trail hugged the walls for awhile. 

 Well, until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Hunter Canyon Hike

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May, 13, 2016

With temps nearing 90 last Friday, Joe and I decided on a canyon hike and hoped for shade.  We were not disappointed.  We got an early start and were at the trailhead  by 8:45. 

Our choice was Hunter Canyon located on Kane Creek Road about 7.5 miles west of its intersection with Hwy 191 (the light where McDonalds is).  Parking is on the left which is also the sign-in for tent camping spaces.  We passed several filled sites with early morning campfires and even the smell of bacon as we headed into the canyon.

This meander along the creek is a 5.5 to 6 mile in and out trail that is easy and fun. 






The cotton trees were magnificent.  

It was not easy to spot the Hunter Canyon Arch.  It is in the center of the photo on the left.  Directions said it was located about 1/2 mile from the trailhead on the right.    

It was cool and damp along the cliff walls.  I love the way these gardens just grow right out of the rock. 









In and out hikes always take us longer on the in part.  Lots to take in and lots of photos to take along the way.  


With all the junipers, cottonwoods, and oaks we heard lots of birds.  We did see a pair of Western Tanagers.  What a handsome fellow he is with his bright red/orange head.  Unfortunately, he was hiding in a juniper and I didn't get a good picture.  We were fortunate we did not surprise this Spotted Towhee.   

The creek was flowing, albeit a gentle trickle, but none the less provided a restful sound as we zigzagged beside it and crossed over it. 

Prickly pear blooms glowed in the sunshine.

Utah Daisies

These leaves remind me of a holly tree but I couldn't find it's name.  I love berries...

Thistle

Yellow Beeplant

Tamarisk

  

What an awesome hike and great way to spend a few hours. 




Until next time, happy days and...  

 HAPPY TRAILS !