Pearl meets Roxanne - A Sunday Drive to Towers Arch

Moab, UT
June 16, 2013

Joe and I met Dee at Portal RV Resort here in Moab. Dee loves the outdoors. She enjoyed skiing,  snow boarding, and biking while living in Colorado.  She moved to Moab and is now a serious "wheeler" and quite involved in the 4X4 world here.  She volunteers countless hours in assuring that others learn safety, grow in their ability, and have a "dang good time" doing what she calls "a passion" !

 When we told Dee we really wanted to do the Towers Arch Trail, she responded with an enthusiastic invitation to guide us.  The ride was planned for the upcoming Sunday morning.  We were so excited and could hardly wait.






Pearl and Roxanne meet!

Dee had suggested we purchase a CB, which we did on Saturday. What a hoot that has turned out to be!

Anyway, Sunday morning arrived and with plenty of water and lunch packed, we headed out bright and early! 

We have learned that airing down tires is a must...20 lbs. is good. We actually have had them aired down since we did Fins "N" Things with Doug. Joe did a quick check to make sure we were OK to go.


To get to Willow Springs Road from Portal, we turned left onto Hwy. 191 north and then right a few miles later onto Willow Springs dirt road.




 

Our first stop for the day was to see dinosaur tracks. These tracks were made about 165 million years ago.

 Once inside Arches NP, we made the left turn towards Tower Arch.

 We traversed several different terrains...slickrock, deep sand, and gravel. The sandy stretches are my favorite...especially when the trail is curvy with lots of steep banks !

 I did manage to capture a few pictures other than our trusty leader...a view of Arches and the La Sal Mountains...which I have yet to tire of.

And a few wildflowers that have not parched.

 Before we reached the Tower Arch Trail turn off...Dee, using the CB, pointed out the Eye-of-the-Whale Arch. 

This arch is located at the southwest end of the Herdina Park area of Arches between Willows Flats Rd. and Park Road 19 that goes up to the Klondike Bluffs.

 Willow Flats Road was the official Arches park entrance between 1930's and 1958.  Arches NP border is less than 2 miles from the Eye-of-the-Whale Arch. All that desert between is known as Herdina Park...

...and is lacking in crowds or development. There is a trailhead located here.

Not only did we enjoy the curves...

...we also had a lot of laughs on the hills!

Joe and I are still learning the rules for "jeeping etiquette". When a potty stop is needed the code is 10-100. Girls go to the right and guys go to the left...why?...because girls are always right! I'm really liking that rule!




Sometimes an inch or two is the difference in a obtaining a Utah stripe or not! It's not uncommon for trees and stumps to be right on the edge of the trail.

 We made a turn onto the trail that actually leads to the Tower Arch. Its not that far, but does have a lot of interest!

 Dee is a wonderful teacher...Joe has learned so much! Sometimes a stop to strategize was needed.  Dee usually points out more than one option involving different challenges and let Joe make his own choice.

Once the choice is made, it's time to swallow the butterflies and head up, or down whichever the case may be.  This one was up...

and over!

A few more rocks and then a long part of the trail uphill in some really deep sand! Whoohoo! was the "word of the day".



A view of Klondike Bluffs ahead... 





and then Tower Arch.

 From the arch, a portion of the Tower Arch Trail to Salt Valley Road is a steep decline on a rocky ridge. The trail is rated moderate.  High ground clearance and good articulation are recommended.  
Dee is a great leader, a world of information, and so enthusiastic about "wheelin". Joe and I had a great Sunday drive! Experience is key in tackling some of these trails and there's no better way to gain experience and confidence than to follow someone like Dee.

 All thumbs up!

 Joe and I have made a great friend!

 Thanks so much Dee!

 Happy trails to everyone.

Y'all come back!

Jackson Trail

Moab, UT
June 12, 2013

To get to Jackson Trail turn right off  Hwy 191 south (or Main Street) at the McDonalds onto Kane Creek Road. The trailhead is at the first parking lot where the pavement ends and the gravel 4X4 road begins.

 This trail is not in our guide book...it is a mountain bike trail, but we thought if bikes can do it, we sure can too!

The trail makes a steep descent towards Kane Creek.

The bright green tree tops caught my eye... just maybe we would enjoy some shade on this hike.



 Not so lucky...once we crossed the creek, we made a quick climb up.

This is a single lane, well used trail. We did see bike tracks.



 As we followed the winding trail, it lead us to a very narrow slickrock shelf right above the creek.

        

 The water in this stream was murky and dark, yet it offered a nice reflection of rock walls, trees and the sky.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

And then Joe disappeared!
  We found ourselves in the middle of a thicket of trees...

...tangled up in clumps of webs. But, I can report, no mosquito bites!

Just at the point we thought we might turn around and go back, the creek joined the Colorado River.

 This is a view looking back at the Colorado...just a beautiful sight!






From here, it was a long, narrow walk...mostly up








with minimal switchbacks.

The arch from the side...

 I am always on the lookout for something interesting to photograph. We did spot an arch in the making...

and a view from the front...thought the glow was neat.

                                                          

Hopi Blanketflower

and a few wildflowers I haven't photographed yet.

Desert Trumpet

This gas line followed most of the trail. It made a pretty backdrop for the grasses.





Speaking of grasses...at Dr. Gostlin's vet office we read about the dangers with a couple of grasses and dogs. Cheatgrass was one of them. It has small barbs on it and they often get caught in puppy ears and paws causing a lot of discomfort and issues.

We will be even more cautious with our pups on trails now. We saw a lot of Cheatgrass on this hike.






After we had turned around to head back, Joe spotted this bird. We think it is a hawk and were privileged to see it swoop down and reappear with breakfast. It is hard to see in the photo below, but he does have talons full of something that looks rather large...we are not sure what.


He is headed for that ledge to enjoy the catch of the day. Those pictures were way to blurry to post.

We could only imagine what kind of wildlife calls these spots home. Very interesting formations in the rock walls along the creek.

 We were walking on the edge to say the least.






We both agreed this was an interesting hike. It was right at 4 miles from start to finish.
                                                            

 We hope everyone has a great week-end. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

 

Thanks for visiting and as always, we look forward to your comments.

Y'all come back!