Deadman's Springs

Gopher Flats
May 4, 2019
Moab, UT


Our MFFW (Moab Friends For Wheelin) club ride for May 4th was Deadman Springs.  It was a new trail for us and I was excited it had been planned.  It is an easy 32 mile (off-rode) experience with slick rock, occasional small ledges, and dirt and rocks.  

It's an EJS trail that Carole (a friend and fellow MFFW member) had participated in and she was willing to lead for us.  


Our first stop for the day was the actual springs and a short hike to a beautiful alcove.  I did read that back in the 1890s, this was a functioning stock reservoir.  The story goes that two old cowboys found a dead cowhand at the springs...hence the name.

The short hike to the alcove only had a little bit of water.

Hiking to the alcove...

 The wall was very tall and the air so cool.    

     
The ride to our second stop which was the first Spring Canyon overlook was full of wide open vistas, wildflowers, and rocks.

In addition to the showy Whipple's Cacti and Claretcup Cacti which were plentiful, we saw...

Spiny Hopsage

Desert Lupine

Howell's Phacelia

 Named rockes we saw were The Twins...

and Queen's Rock.

They were pretty cool, but it was the other rocks along the way that really caught my eye.

At the first overlook, we could see the bottom of the very deep Spring Canyon and the valley below.  The jagged rocks make for a careful step when walking along the edge .

There was even some water in the spring.

Remember Tombstone Rock?  With a zoom, we could see it!

















And Secret Spire?  I could even zoom in on it too !

We had one more stop for the day...a second overlook. It was a little further down the canyon.  In fact we could make out the end of Spring Canyon and see the beginning of Hey Joe Canyon.  

If you look closely in the center of the photo you will see the trail to the bottom of the canyon.  We did Spring Canyon Bottom last year.  It's a gorgeous trail too...steep, but not too narrow.

 

Dee pointing out Spring Canyon Bottom trail.

The slickrock at this overlook was covered with Indian paintbrush.  It was such a vibrant color and so showy against the pale rock.


 The cliff rose were blooming too, filling the air with their sweet perfume. 

It was another beautiful day with good friends !  And a huge thank you to Carole for showing us the way.    

So, until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !

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 !