Spent Saturday on Top of the World!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
September 5, 2015

At the club meeting for Moab Friends for Wheelin, members can add a trail on the calendar that they would like to lead and members who want to go are invited and welcomed to come along. One of my favorite trails was added to the calendar and led by Larry Long this past Saturday. 

The Colorado River heading east on scenic hwy 128 towards the Dewey Bridge.

The first time we did Top of the World, I was so wowed by the view from Waring Mesa (7,000 feet above sea level).


I am happy to report my third viewing was just as breath taking as my first.






Of course getting to and from the lunch view is rugged fun traversing broken layered rock.

Our team for the day...Larry and Sharon who led the way, followed by Dale and Rolande, then us...

and Dee and Rosie bringing up the rear.

The first part of the trail follows the base of a cliff. Sharon pointed out "Kissing Rock", the rock formation on the right.

The Entrada Sandstone is beautiful wherever it is exposed.

As the trail climbs, the view expands beyond the Colorado all the way to the Book Cliffs and in places we could even see the Delores River.

 And then there is the Top of the World...

Looking left is the end of Onion Creek trail with Taylor Farm and the meadow where we always turn left towards Thompson Canyon.

Looking straight ahead is the LaSal Mountains. The tiny speck of trail in the center of the photo is also Onion Creek.

Looking right is Fischer Towers and Castle Valley. 

What a view for lunch !

We witnessed a rain squall just in front of us.

I ate my first pine nuts.

Heading home...

Until next time, let the good times roll.

HAPPY TRAILS!

Top of the World!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
October 24, 2014

Top of the World...feeling wonderful, glorious, ecstatic! Yep, that's what The Free Dictionary on my IPad says about "top of the world". I agree!  During our lifetime, there are people, places or occurrences that certainly manifest that feeling of being on top of the world.



 Last Friday was one of those days! When Dee calls to say "Let's go...", Joe and I are packed and in Pearl before she has finished the sentence. It is a real treat to follow Dee and go exploring! As it turned out, we did go to Top of The World...it's a trail in the Guide to Moab Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails book. It is listed near the top of the difficult trails with an explanation that only the last 1/2 mile loop at the end is difficult. Parking and walking is an option.

Looking west from Top of the World toward Fisher Towers

Looking down on Onion Creek Narrows...



Looking east at Onion Creek 4X4 trail climbing out of the canyon and towardTaylor Farm...

The sun was in the wrong place for my photographs...I apologize for the poor pictures. But at least maybe they show the expansive views. I have been told by locals that June is the perfect month for taking pictures in Moab. We'll just have to check that out in 2015.

The turn-off for the trail and a good place to air down and potty is the Dewey Bridge...about 29 miles on Scenic Hwy 128 from Moab. Decisions to build Dewey Bridge which crosses the Colorado River were made in 1913 when ice in the river struck the ferry and it sank. Upon completion in 1915, it was the second longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. The bridge was designed to support the weight of 6 horses, 3 wagons, and 9,000 pounds of stuff.

A restoration project was completed in 2000 for the use of bicycles and pedestrians as part of the Kokopelli trail. In 2006, a 7yr old boy accidentally started a fire nearby in a campground while playing with matches. The bridge was destroyed.

This area is known as Entrada Bluffs. The trail twists and turns thru pinyon pines...

Utah junipers...
(I really have a great appreciation for the junipers. Half dead - half alive, strong, gnarly and fragrant...) 

with spots of golden nuggets here and there.

There were just enough challenges to add some thrills...

and a spectacular lunch view!

 Top of the World...

As always, until next time, be safe...

...and happy trails!