Kane Creek Canyon Trail

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 22, 2016

Kane Creek Canyon Trail has been on our "to do" list since last year.  It was added to the Moab Friends For Wheeling calendar for this past week-end.  Charles Wells book (Guide to Moab Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails) has it listed on the difficult list.  In fact only 5 trails listed are harder than this one.  Three distinct sections make this a fun and challenging day.  At the start, the canyon is wide as we made our way on a rocky/ledgy road.  Then the canyon walls closed in as we descended on a sandy trail that crossed the creek several times with awesome cotton wood trees lining the way.  The last section of trail is very narrow as we climbed out of the canyon and faced the hardest obstacle of the day called Hamburger Hill.  All total, the length of the trail is 13.5 miles and follows the creek the entire way.   

Dee was our leader, followed by us, Glen, Dale and Roland, Al and Linda, Dave, and Jeff. 

Not long into our Sunday morning drive we came upon what Dee calls "show-off rock".  Hummmm ! 

This picture captures an example of what Glen's incredible Jeep can do.

Dale and his well built buggie had no worries!

Al's Samari took the squeeze...which is what we did too.  

Dave's two door extended JK wheeled right over  "show-off rock".

And last was Jeff trying out his new Treps (sticky tires). Yep, he was all smiles !

At about 3.8 miles we passed a large boulder on driver side with a few small petroglyphs.  I would have never noticed them...thanks Dee for the heads up.



Meandering close to the creek offers lots of green and cool breezes, the sound of running water, and makes for a shady spot for lunch.  

Having never done this trail,  Joe and I were unaware of the challenges to follow.  The best was yet to come !
Dee (driving Blanche) crawled up Hamburger Hill like a pro.    We can't take the same line as Dee so she graciously spotted Joe over and around several huge boulders and inches away from the cliff.   

It wasn't over yet.  There was one more creek crossing and a steep, gnarly climb on what the guide book calls a pipeline road.

Dee shows the way... 

After everyone climbed, we took a break to enjoy the creek.

One last play area...

 Glen and Jeff had fun going up and down in circles trying different lines...

From here, it was an easy sandy road back to Hwy 191.

 Until next time, happy days and...

HAPPY TRAILS !

A Lazy Sunday Drive on Thursday!

Portal Rv Resort
Moab, UT
May 19, 2016

What a treat it was to join in on a pre-run to Polar Mesa that the Red Rock 4 Wheelers were doing. John and Carol, led our group of 5 jeeps, followed by Ber, us, Dee, and Mike and Joanne, the tail gunners for the day. It was like a lazy Sunday drive only it was Thursday!  Joe and I have driven Onion Creek and Thompson Canyon several times, but had never gone as far as Polar Mesa (You will love this Ronnie and Carol.).  We clocked a total of nearly 75 miles round trip.  

Onion Creek continues to be one of my favorite rides if for no other reason, it is the first trail Joe and I ever drove when we were in Moab for the first time 4 years ago. Right from the get go, there are creek crossings.  Mike counted 32 crossings.  I tried once to count them, but the "wows" and camera action took precedence.

My favorite section of Onion Creek is Gypsum Squeeze. It is colorful and sometimes a little stinky (thus the name Onion Creek) from all the sulphur.  


Just as we turned onto Onion Creek, I attempted to take pictures with my Nikon.  Sadly, I discovered I had left its SD memory card at home plugged into our laptop.  So all our memory shots are taken with my iPhone.




We spotted several Chukars, a beautiful bird in the partridge family, along the creek side.



Onion Creek and the trail cut through Fisher Canyon so if you have never seen the towers, its a great way to get an up close look.  Climbing out of the canyon is a jaw dropping experience...well at least for me it is.   A narrow shelf road adds to the excitement. 

Onion Creek dead ends. You can turn around or take a left hand turn and follow the Thompson Canyon trail.  There is a gate at the top of the ridge before you drop down scenic switchbacks.  Rules are, leave the gate as you find it.   The wildflowers were unbelievably gorgeous covering the banks with yellows, purples, reds, whites and pinks.  There is a spur trail to Hideout Campground, but signage for the main trail is clear.    

Most of Thompson Canyon trail is gravel/rocks with one steep, narrow climb.  When you get to a "T" in the road, turn left for Polar Mesa.  Polar Mesa is mostly a dirt trail with continuing spectacular scenery around every curve.  The mix of dark grey clouds, blue skies and shadows added to the beauty.  

Our lunch spot was on top of Polar Mesa at the derrick left behind from the mining days.

L-R : Mike and Joanne, Joe, John and Carol and Dee

 We thoroughly enjoyed the stories Ber (in the red jacket) shared about his dad traveling these same roads in a hauling truck back in the early 1900s.  Ber is amazing and fast becoming one our heroes.

 

Our route from there made a loop on a less traveled trail, but very legal, back to the mail trail...

...and down we went and crossed the meadow with the open range cattle.

This section of our ride took us through a Ponderosa Pine forest. 






Then we turned right onto Castletown-Gateway Road #207. The aspens in the LaSals are just beginning to leaf out.

Shortly after the pavement begins, there is a look-out stop with a vault toilet.  Mike showed us the designated path through a new gate, which led to dinosaur tracks.

While there Ber and Dee checked under Ber's jeep.  He said it just wasn't running right.  No worries...he made it home just fine.

 

The views of Castle Valley as we drive down the mountain...

If you ever find yourself in Moab and want a quiet, peaceful drive through breathtaking scenery, this is the one.  Onion Creek and Thompson Canyon/Polar Mesa are listed under the easy trails in the Charles Wells book Guide to Moab,UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails.   

Until next time, happy days and...

  HAPPY TRAILS!