Top of the World!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
October 24, 2014

Top of the World...feeling wonderful, glorious, ecstatic! Yep, that's what The Free Dictionary on my IPad says about "top of the world". I agree!  During our lifetime, there are people, places or occurrences that certainly manifest that feeling of being on top of the world.



 Last Friday was one of those days! When Dee calls to say "Let's go...", Joe and I are packed and in Pearl before she has finished the sentence. It is a real treat to follow Dee and go exploring! As it turned out, we did go to Top of The World...it's a trail in the Guide to Moab Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails book. It is listed near the top of the difficult trails with an explanation that only the last 1/2 mile loop at the end is difficult. Parking and walking is an option.

Looking west from Top of the World toward Fisher Towers

Looking down on Onion Creek Narrows...



Looking east at Onion Creek 4X4 trail climbing out of the canyon and towardTaylor Farm...

The sun was in the wrong place for my photographs...I apologize for the poor pictures. But at least maybe they show the expansive views. I have been told by locals that June is the perfect month for taking pictures in Moab. We'll just have to check that out in 2015.

The turn-off for the trail and a good place to air down and potty is the Dewey Bridge...about 29 miles on Scenic Hwy 128 from Moab. Decisions to build Dewey Bridge which crosses the Colorado River were made in 1913 when ice in the river struck the ferry and it sank. Upon completion in 1915, it was the second longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. The bridge was designed to support the weight of 6 horses, 3 wagons, and 9,000 pounds of stuff.

A restoration project was completed in 2000 for the use of bicycles and pedestrians as part of the Kokopelli trail. In 2006, a 7yr old boy accidentally started a fire nearby in a campground while playing with matches. The bridge was destroyed.

This area is known as Entrada Bluffs. The trail twists and turns thru pinyon pines...

Utah junipers...
(I really have a great appreciation for the junipers. Half dead - half alive, strong, gnarly and fragrant...) 

with spots of golden nuggets here and there.

There were just enough challenges to add some thrills...

and a spectacular lunch view!

 Top of the World...

As always, until next time, be safe...

...and happy trails!

Hurrah!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
October 19, 2014

Don't you just love to see a rainbow? 

Isn't that the cutest face ever? Don't tell the rest of the Tan Clan.

Kane Creek Road...

Last week our neighbors were Bav and Helen from England. They were curious about off-road trails so we invited them for a jaunt thru red rock country. Hurrah Pass is a fun, easy trail with expansive views and a great first outing.


About 1.3 miles after the pavement ends on Kane Creek Road, there is a sign for Indian writing. This particular boulder is called the Birthing Rock.





A close-up shows why it is so named. This was a perfect stop for us that day because someone in our group is expecting. Congratulations to Helen!I happened to notice an unusual plant there. I haven't seen this one before. It has fuzzy tentacles and a pretty purplely color.    
 
 
 
 
 

At 1.9 miles, curve down switchbacks took us into Hunter Canyon and a creek crossing.

A few more miles and you are at the pass...

Stopping at the pass...

 A narrow ledge skirts around daunting red cliffs after the pass...



until it reaches the sandy desert floor. And even there the views are massive...

 



 The Colorado River runs along the center of the picture right to left. If you look closely, you will see the trail in the almost bottom center of the picture.

Wind Caves (taken thru the windshield)...

At some point, Hurrah Pass turns into Chicken Corners. We have never gone all the way to the end of that moderate rated trail...its a time thing for us.




Our stopping spot for lunch and exploring is Catacomb Rock or the Wind Caves as the locals say.



It's a lot of fun to hike around the caves...they aren't really caves..., climb the rocks, and explore inside. But don't forget your flashlight!

To get to this point, it took us about 2.5 hours. That's why we have never finished the trail!

Someone's little piece of heaven...

Tomorrow I will be digging around under the bed looking for the long-johns! It's going to be chilly tomorrow and very chilly tomorrow night with the temps dropping below freezing...YIKES!

So until next time, stay safe and...

Chicken Corners...view of the Colorado River and Potash Evaporation Ponds.

happy trails!