Dellenbaugh Tunnel

Moab, Ut
June 23, 2014

Tombstone Rock

Our last trail ride in Moab was a new trail for Joe and I. It was the Secret Spire, Dellenbaugh Tunnel Trail.




It's rated about half way down the moderate list in the Guide to Moab, UT Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells.

As you head west on Spring Canyon Road, massive Tombstone Rock is the focal point.

Taking a left turn at  Tombstone, the trail almost immediately becomes slickrock. There are several slickrock areas to traverse which give this trail it's rating.




This turned out to be a great last day of trails with Ronnie and Carol as our other 2 adventures didn't have any slickrock.

After some strategizing, we were on our way!







First Pearl...

then Jade...

 

Dee heading our way in Blanche.

We had several fun "up and over" on the rocks when Dee called. Her club (Friends 4 Wheelin') keep a portion of Hwy 191 clean as part of the Adopt A Highway Program. She was done and wanted to join us.


Dee knows these trail like the back of her hand...what a nice treat for us to follow!

And thank goodness for CB radios. Dee can give precise directions from her seat in Blanche on where to place tires.


Blanche and Jade

 

Our first stop was to see a place where water runs along rocks and flows over the cliff into the canyon. The rocks are smooth as glass. I bet it is beautiful when its raining.

 

This is where the water flows into Spring Canyon...its a long way down!

 Our next stop was the parking area to hike down to the Dellenbaugh Tunnel.

















Dellenbaugh is described as am "oddity in nature". It is a tunnel thru the sandstone. Way cool!

Dee...

The picture doesn't show how dark the tunnel really is. If I had taken the time to think about it, I probably would have had the "hibbie jibbies".

...Ronnie, Carol and Joe

When we exited the tunnel and turned the corner, we were at the cliff edge. What a nice view for lunch.

We did echoes, listened to the ravens fuss, and someone in the group who likes living on the edge was very brave to swing their feet over the cliff.

By this time, it was pretty hot so we skipped the Secret Spire part of the trail and headed home. Next time for sure...



We enjoyed the ride home...the sky was gorgeous. Blue with white fluffy clouds that made pretty shadows and rain over the LaSal Mountains way off in the distance.

Merrimack and the Monitor

If you look very closely on the left side, you can see the Windows Arches in Arches NP.

Last Tuesday (6/24), we left Moab for a very long travel day to Colorado Springs...about 420 miles.

 

Colorful Colorado sure is green!

 

We went thru several tunnels...

I-70 is almost a double decker road in some places...

We made a stop to stretch and walk the Tan Clan at Wilkerson Pass...

 

and we weren't the only ones that needed a stretch and some fresh air.

 

We are all settled in at Garden of the Gods RVC Outdoor Destinations. Ronnie and Carol are at home right next door...so let the fun and exploring begin! We have never been to Colorado Springs...

Happy trails!

A Creek, A Canyon and An Arch

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 20 & 21, 2014

Friends, Ronnie and Carol, pulled into Portal RV Resort last Wednesday (June 18th). They were looking forward to taking their Jeep...which they named Jade...on some trails. Ronnie has never been off-road in Jade. I think they are hooked! With Dee's advise, we planned three rides ranging from really easy, to easy, and moderate.

Three days...three trails...three destinations.

Our first day was about a 32 mile loop with a variety of scenery, fun creek crossings, and twisty shelf trails to the LaSal Mountains.

I just cant help myself...while Joe and Ronnie aired down, I was snapping pictures.

Below is the best photo to show three rock formations in the Castle Valley area.

Left to right...Castleton Tower, The Castle, and The Priest and Nuns

If crossing creeks tickles your tummy, this trail is for you! There are 22 crossings thru Onion Creek.

If you think colorful rocks are the "bomb", this trail is for you. There is nothing quite like a mix of red and turquoise. 

  

 

If you like twisty shelf roads and wide-open views, this is a mouth dropper.

 

 

  

 If you want to practice tire placement on small rock ledges, this is a great place to become "one" with your jeep.








If a cool breeze on a hot day puts a smile on your face, you're going to love this.

If you just need to hug a tree, you will find lots of them.

And if the great outdoors makes your heart swell with joy like it does mine, I hope you enjoy.

Day two was also a loop with one side trip. We took Potash Road (Hwy 279) to the Shafer Switchbacks which took us to Hwy313. We made a right turn onto 313 and then a right turn into Dead Horse State Park. After 1.6 miles we took a wide dirt road to the left...Long Canyon Trail.

We stopped to air down at the boat ramp where the pavement ends on Potash Road. No pictures here...we were attacked by these colossal mosquitos. They were so big we could actually count the black and white stripes they were proudly parading!



Pearl and Jade

Our first stop of the day was to view Thelma and Louise Point on Potash Road.








Walking out to the point...

...and looking down!

And there is that male posturing again...

Somewhere on Potash Road we entered Canyonlands NP.

At the end of Potash Road, we turned left for a side trip to Musselman Arch...

Ronnie, Carol & Cooper

I really needed a wide-angle lens to photograph Musselman Arch. It is 5 feet thick, 6 feet wide, and 187 feet long. Technically it is a bridge and was once know as "Little Bridge". The name was changed to honor a resident well-known for exploring the region.

We did walk all the way across!

Getting to the arch is a hoot on a not so wide shelf road

with the Colorado River below.

 

Next up, the Shafer Switchbacks. Up and around, up and around...don't know how many times.

 From there it was Long Canyon...best know for Pucker Pass and Giant Fallen Rock. You know you are on the right trail if you are heading straight for the LaSal Mountains. After about 3 miles, the trail changes from this...

 

to this...Pucker Pass.

Jade exiting Pucker Pass...







...and coming thru Giant Fallen Rock. We were pleased to hear Ronnie and Carol both agreed they had a great day. Ronnie had a good work out on the 4-wheel drive, especially coming down Long Canyon which is why we went that way.

Jug Handle Arch

Our day ended at Jug Handle Arch right back on Potash Road.

A quick update on Sally...I forgot in my last post. She is doing great. Her incision is healing nicely and her stitches can come out next Monday. Her energy level has increased...we actually have a playful Sally. Her new food which is a dissolution formula and the thyroid medicine seem to be agreeing with her. Thank you to everyone for the kind comments for her speedy recovery.

 

So until next time, take care and

 

 happy trails!

Up next...Dellenbaugh Tunnel and where is Belle?