good-times-rollin: Spring Canyon

Monday, July 8, 2019

A Peek Into Spring Canyon

Sand Creek RV Park
Torrey, UT
July 6, 2019

Our last hike in Capital Reef for this trip was to do some exploring in Spring Canyon. Our friend Roy confirmed that it is indeed a gorgeous canyon not to be missed. From start to finish, it is nearly a 10 mile hike one way so we knew going in we would only get a sneak peek. This would be a great over-night hike (not likely for us) or a hike with someone else so that a vehicle could be parked at the finish.

You might remember that we came across the intersection to Spring Canyon when we hiked the Chimney Rock Trail.

For Spring Canyon, we went straight
at the first intersection and then took a left at the second intersection.

And we're off. I love canyon hikes !

We hadn't gone very far when we came to a section of trail completely blocked by huge boulders...some boulder scrambling was in order.

And that wasn't the only place the trail was blocked...there were a couple more boulder scrambles. Fun !

The walk in the wash was easy. The cliff walls grew taller and taller. The trail became more and more narrow. And the shade was glorious.

We walked 3.5 miles in. The 3.5 miles out were like a totally different hike. That's often the case on in and out hikes...we always see new things.

A few of my favorite pictures...

We saw a mountain lion...do you?

Interesting surface to walk on...

So nice to see trees in the canyon...

The only people we saw were these three young people who were hiking the entire trail. We were taking a snack break when they walked up. Corey, Allie, and Meghan

This really is a great hike. Next time I hope to figure out how to hike the entire trail. Speaking of next time, there is so much left to do here that I just know we will return. Between the hiking and off-roading we barely scratched the surface. And a huge bonus...the weather has been awesome !

Capital Reef is near the little town of Torrey. There isn't a grocery store, but The Chuck Wagon Market has milk and bread. There are a few restaurants, but we didn't try any of them. One gas station, a trading post, and several motels finish out Main Street. It's quiet, quaint, and it is Utah's first International Dark Sky Community.

Tonight we are settled in at Phillips RV Park in Evanston, WY and excited to be arriving at Colter Bay Village tomorrow. We have never been to the Tetons either...soooo excited ! So stay tuned !

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !

Last night we drove to Panorama Point in CR to see the sun set. It wasn't a particularly colorful sunset, but the views from there are majestic.

And this was our front yard when we got home...sweet dreams !

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Moab Trails with New Friends

Gopher Flats
May 3 & 5, 2019
Moab, UT

When we were stranded in Tuba City waiting for a part so Joe could fix our MH, we met the family next door. The Johnsons...Kjersti and Erich and their four smart, curious, and polite and lovely children (Asia, Jake, River and Micah) and their well-behaved Irish Setter (Cooper). Erich is a traveling nurse and presently has a contract in Tuba City. It's a good location for them to take excursions on his 4 days off. When we mentioned we were headed to Moab, Kjersti said it was there next destination. We offered to go off-roading and hiking with them. They arrived on Thursday, May 4, and our first adventure on the following day was to go to Secret Spire and Dellenbaugh Tunnel. There is a cool pour-off on the way to the tunnel.

This is the view of Spring Canyon from the pour-off. The pour-off is just beneath the little clump of flowers on the right side of the picture below. This is where Spring Canyon ends or begins...not sure which.

It's a short hike over slick rock to get to the other side of the canyon.

From here we headed to Dellenbaugh Tunnel. It's not like me, but I don't have any pictures of the tunnel. It was a fun stop for the kids and a nice place to have lunch !

Our last stop for the day was Secret Spire. The area around the spire is mostly slick rock with a few little patches of flora.

Firecracker Penstemon

A small patch of blooming Whipple's Fishhook Cacti

It was fun watching the Johnsons explore and enjoy the spire and surrounding domes.

On Sunday we were up and out the door by 7:15 to meet the Johnsons. The days adventure was a hike to Corona Arch. It was a beautiful day and we even had a nice breeze. Being early is good to beat the crowds on this very popular hike. It is also doggie friendly so Cooper joined us. I found myself in camera overload watching Asia, Jake, River and Micah enjoying the day, nature, and just life ! Not one time did either of them complain or fuss and in fact all had lots of fun.

And Micah, who will be 3 in August, walked the whole 3 miles with the exception of a few steep places.

Micah climbs the ladder...all by himself!

Asia heads up to Bowtie Arch.

River enjoying the shade.

Jake and Cooper take in the view.

There are actually two arches to explore on this hike. After climbing the Moki steps (carved by Ancient Pueblo Indians into the near-vertical sandstone surfaces) and a ladder installed by the BLM, the trail leads you on top of a large bench of slickrock with sheer drop-offs as the trail takes you under Bowtie Arch.