Hidden Valley and Avocado Salad

Moab, UT
June 14, 2013

Well, you might have thought about Ranch dressing when you read the title, but that's not exactly what this Hidden Valley is. Hidden Valley is exactly that...a hidden valley!

The trailhead for the hike to this beautiful valley is 3 miles south from Moab on Hwy 191. Turn right on Angel Rock Rd, then right again on Rimrock Rd.
The trailhead parking area is an improved dirt road section along Rimrock.

This hike is 4 miles round trip and rated moderate to difficult. We followed the trail to the base of the Moab Rim...that was easy!



 From there the trail ascends 680 feet. We found ourselves climbing very steep switchbacks over a rocky terrain...that was difficult! 

This section of the trail is nicknamed Barney Rubble.

This is a picture of Pearl...that tiny dot in the parking lot. We were not quite at the top of the switchbacks when I took the picture.

At the top of the switchbacks, the trail enters Hidden Valley...a broad shelf between the top of the Moab Rim and Spanish Valley.




The trail leads to a low rise that separates the two halves of Hidden Valley. The shade from junipers and pinyon pines were a welcome relief! 
 
 

The trail continues through the valley...







and meanders between the rock formations.



Ahead is the pass...the two mile marker. We had been told there were petroglyphs just beyond the pass so we wandered on.






WOW!









We stopped for an apple and crackers and a water break.

We enjoyed a beautiful view of the valley below.



This hike is not a loop, but the view was so different on the return. The LaSal Mountains showed up in a few pictures.




I almost forgot...Joe and I love avocados! I found a great avocado salad and its so easy and perfect for warm (hot) summer days. You will need :

2 ripe avocados, peeled and sliced
2 large tomatoes, cut into wedges
1/2 sweet onion, cut into wedges
1 cup Italian salad dressing (I used Olive Garden dressing)
lettuce leaves, optional

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients; add the dressing and stir to coat. Chill for 20-30 minutes. Serve over lettuce leaves if desired. Enjoy!

This was our last "new" hike. We have done several hikes twice. Our favorite was the Corona Arch...soooo pretty!

We sure feel better now than we did when we got here. Nothing like the great outdoors to help you loose a few pounds and inches!

We will be packing up to leave Moab on Saturday. We plan to stay in Park City,UT for a week before heading on to Flathead Lake in Montana. Sure hope the hiking is good there too!

Thanks for stopping by...

and happy trails.

Y'all come back!

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!