Hoo-doos, Wildflowers, and Gorgeous Scenery...Amphitheater Loop

Gopher Flats
June 2, 2019
Moab, UT

About 23 miles east on Hwy 128 is a great hike that is fast becoming a "tradition".  We have enjoyed this easy trek for the past couple of years with spring being our favorite time. I love the wildflowers and this year with Mother Nature's delay of warmer weather, we waited until  the first of June to head that way. 

Parking for the hike is at Hittle Bottom Campground across the street form the trail. 

Amphitheater Loop is an easy 3 mile trek through a wash area before it climbs a 250 ft rock wall to the top of a ridge that circles back to the beginning.  The suggested route is counter-clockwise.  

Hoo-doos are typically a thin spire of rock that protrudes from a wash.  They consist of softer rock that easily erodes and topped by a harder rock that protects the spire. 

  

 A variety of wildflowers dot the desert along the trail, but our reason for waiting until June was so we would be sure to see the Showy 4 O'clocks.   These large clumps of purple flowers die back each winter and reappear the next spring.  

It is so cool that Navajo Indians boiled these flowers to make a light brown or purple color for dying wool.

















Some flowers don't grow in bunches, but are just as showy.

At the end of the wash, just before the rock climb, the amphitheater really comes into view.
Looking left...

to right.

Once on the ridge, gorgeous views of the Colorado River, Castle Valley and Fischer Towers come into view.



















































We didn't really have a spring here in Moab. Just like most of the country, we went from windy, cold, rainy days to quite warm and dry days.  On the home front we have settled into a nice routine which includes an early evening play time at the doggie park.  

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

HAPPY TRAILS !

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.  

Bowtie Arch is a pothole Arch.





















I was happy to see water seeping down the red rock.  I love the color and design and hanging gardens.

 From Bowtie Arch, the trail continues along the slickrock to the base of Corona Arch.

Corona Arch measures 140 X 105 feet wide.  A local bush pilot flew his plane through the arch back in the 80s. 

 It is incredible to tilt your head back and gaze up at the streamer of red rock towering above you with only clear blue sky in the background.

A happy band of trail warriors...

Back row  L to R : Joe, me, Micah, River
Front row L to R : Asia, Cooper, Erich, Jake and Kjersti

We sure enjoyed our time with this awesome family and hope our paths cross again.  So until next time, 

Prince's Plume

Jake, Micah and River taking a break.

Harriman's Yucca

Asia, Jake and River

Stemless Woolybase ( or, Perky Sue )

Asia

Jake leads the way followed by River, Joe and Asia

HAPPY TRAILS !