Cliffhanger and Hikes to Petroglyphs

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
August, 30, 2015

 At the last Moab Friends For Wheelin club meeting, Melissa volunteered to lead Cliffhanger with side hikes to some very impressive petroglyphs. This past Sunday we were up early as the group was meeting at 9:00 am. Last fall we were passengers with Dee when she did Cliffhanger and I remember every minute of it! 



We were assured by Dee, Melissa and Glen that Pearl and Joe would be just fine!

Our first stop was a half mile rock scramble up the side of a cliff. Melissa, in the orange T-shirt, leads the way.








It is thought that this panel dates back to the Fremont Indians somewhere between 800 and 1100 years ago. It consists of three sections. The first section is a single bighorn sheep on a narrow wall offset on the left. 





Then around the corner, these two pictures make up some of the center panel which include a very large human figure, the owl, vultures and a line of sheep.

The third panel is to the right around a sharp corner. It's a single figure holding a drawn bow and arrow. It looks just like he is waiting for the first sheep to come around the corner. 

The "Owl Panel" depicts the best-made owl (of the ones found thus far) in the area and the little vulture glyphs are said to be regionally unique.

Rosie takes a photo.

Back on the trail...the main route is 4.3 miles of non-stop rock crawling and beautiful scenery. The trail narrows and hugs the cliff wall. 

Going down the narrow ledge...

Dee disappears down the boulders.

Whew...it sure felt good to stretch!

Lunch at the overlook.

L to R: Shirley, Jeff and Melissa

Well, what goes out to the overlook has to return to the trailhead...

We did take one other short walk to view a huge bighorn sheep. The lighting was terrible. This one measures about 4 feet long.

Thanks for the photo Dee.

Well until next time, let the good times roll...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Saturday Night Moonshine!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
August, 29, 2015

Saturday, we had an awesome night run with the moon lighting our way. There were 20+ jeeps in our group and folks of all ages...the youngest being 5 and the oldest being 91! The trail of choice was 7 Mile Rim. It's a trail we have done many times and several different ways. Our destination for this excursion was the slickrock area between the Monitor and the Merrimac where we enjoyed good company, a campfire and s'mores, and the night sky.

The picture below was taken on our first ride (following Dee in Thumper) between the Monitor and the Merrimac back on August 16, 2013. 

Our destination for Saturday night's ride was the sandstone between these huge buttes.

This picture taken at the trailhead where we all aired down. The first two friends on the right (the lady in the pink shirt and the gentleman in the light tan shirt) are Ber and Charlotte. They just turned 91. 

While we were having the trail meeting, the moon peeked behind the mountains. 

Loaded and ready to pull out...

The moon was climbing...

and so were we!

The campfire was lit. We sat, we ate, we talked, we enjoyed the quiet, we walked, we made shadows, and we awed at the endless stars.

The snacks didn't last long. JoAnn's brownies were yummy! The kids (little ones and big ones) roasted marshmallows on sticks while lots of stories and laughter were heard around the campfire.

Umm...who ate all the brownies?

The moon slowly made its way from behind the Merrimac.

Have to admit, it was the best moonshine we have had in quite awhile...well, since last August anyway.

Until next time, let the good times roll!

HAPPY TRAILS!