Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 20 & 21, 2014
Friends, Ronnie and Carol, pulled into Portal RV Resort last Wednesday (June 18th). They were looking forward to taking their Jeep...which they named Jade...on some trails. Ronnie has never been off-road in Jade. I think they are hooked! With Dee's advise, we planned three rides ranging from really easy, to easy, and moderate.
Three days...three trails...three destinations.
Our first day was about a 32 mile loop with a variety of scenery, fun creek crossings, and twisty shelf trails to the LaSal Mountains.
I just cant help myself...while Joe and Ronnie aired down, I was snapping pictures.
Below is the best photo to show three rock formations in the Castle Valley area.
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| Left to right...Castleton Tower, The Castle, and The Priest and Nuns |
If crossing creeks tickles your tummy, this trail is for you! There are 22 crossings thru Onion Creek.
If you think colorful rocks are the "bomb", this trail is for you. There is nothing quite like a mix of red and turquoise.
If you like twisty shelf roads and wide-open views, this is a mouth dropper.
If you want to practice tire placement on small rock ledges, this is a great place to become "one" with your jeep.
If a cool breeze on a hot day puts a smile on your face, you're going to love this.
If you just need to hug a tree, you will find lots of them.
And if the great outdoors makes your heart swell with joy like it does mine, I hope you enjoy.
Day two was also a loop with one side trip. We took Potash Road (Hwy 279) to the Shafer Switchbacks which took us to Hwy313. We made a right turn onto 313 and then a right turn into Dead Horse State Park. After 1.6 miles we took a wide dirt road to the left...Long Canyon Trail.
We stopped to air down at the boat ramp where the pavement ends on Potash Road. No pictures here...we were attacked by these colossal mosquitos. They were so big we could actually count the black and white stripes they were proudly parading!
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| Pearl and Jade |
Our first stop of the day was to view Thelma and Louise Point on Potash Road.
Walking out to the point...
...and looking down!
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| And there is that male posturing again... |
Somewhere on Potash Road we entered Canyonlands NP.
At the end of Potash Road, we turned left for a side trip to Musselman Arch...
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| Ronnie, Carol & Cooper |
I really needed a wide-angle lens to photograph Musselman Arch. It is 5 feet thick, 6 feet wide, and 187 feet long. Technically it is a bridge and was once know as "Little Bridge". The name was changed to honor a resident well-known for exploring the region.
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| We did walk all the way across! |
Getting to the arch is a hoot on a not so wide shelf road
with the Colorado River below.
Next up, the Shafer Switchbacks. Up and around, up and around...don't know how many times.
From there it was Long Canyon...best know for Pucker Pass and Giant Fallen Rock. You know you are on the right trail if you are heading straight for the LaSal Mountains. After about 3 miles, the trail changes from this...
to this...Pucker Pass.
Jade exiting Pucker Pass...
...and coming thru Giant Fallen Rock. We were pleased to hear Ronnie and Carol both agreed they had a great day. Ronnie had a good work out on the 4-wheel drive, especially coming down Long Canyon which is why we went that way.
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| Jug Handle Arch |
Our day ended at Jug Handle Arch right back on Potash Road.
A quick update on Sally...I forgot in my last post. She is doing great. Her incision is healing nicely and her stitches can come out next Monday. Her energy level has increased...we actually have a playful Sally. Her new food which is a dissolution formula and the thyroid medicine seem to be agreeing with her. Thank you to everyone for the kind comments for her speedy recovery.
So until next time, take care and
happy trails!
Up next...Dellenbaugh Tunnel and where is Belle?
