Leaf Peeping with Dee

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
September 27, 2016


Leaf peeping is always at the top of our fall list of things to do.  Last week we joined Dee for a jaunt over the moderate rated La Sal Pass and then connected to the easy Geyser Pass which made a perfect loop through groves of scrub oaks, aspens and evergreens.  The weather was perfect...clear and crisp, the trails were cleared from fallen trees from the recent snow, and the leaves were gorgeous.

It's always a pleasure to follow Dee.  Our CB radios were full of chatter, laughter and lots of oohs and aahs. 







It was just the three of us so we could stop as many times as we wanted to take pictures. 








 



 When we stopped to take in the views at Mount Peale, Dee spotted a hawk in the top of an evergreen.  He was pretty far away. 

I zoomed in as best I could with my 70-300 lens.  It's always a thrill to see hawks.  He was busy scanning the meadow for lunch.  Finding nothing there, he made one swoop and was gone. 

The only other wildlife we saw was a flock of turkeys crossing the trail.

We did encounter a section of trail on Geyser Pass that was icy and slippery...that added a little extra excitement !

It was a delightful, peaceful day.    

Looking down on Moab Valley as we were heading home...and yes, Pearl was very muddy !

Until next time, happy trails !

National Public Lands Day

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
September 24, 2016

This past Saturday, Sept. 24th, was National Public Lands Day.  MFFW (Moab Friends For Wheeling Jeep Club) has lots of work days throughout the year but, National Public Lands Day is a BIG work day.  

This year the club chose to install NO VEHICLES, You are Here, and RESTORATION AREA signage and repair/block illegal "go arounds" all along 3D Trail.  Club volunteers divided into 2 groups and started at opposite ends of the trail.  Our group drove the trail backwards.  

JoAnn and Mike Kelso and Mat installed signs...

Our group of 6 jeeps divided into 2 groups...one to install signs and the other to work on "go arounds".  Joe and I spent the day with Dee, Pack, and Ann, raking over tire marks made by folks driving off the designated trails.  Then rocks & limbs were placed to block the entrance while simultaneously attempting to return the terrain to a natural looking state.

Illegal go around...

This picture is a prime example of the types of illegal trail being created by irresponsible individuals.   They are destroying the bank on the wash and the delicate desert vegetation.  In many cases islands are created that end up choking off and killing trees.  In fact, as I was raking at the entrance, a dirt bike came barreling around the curve headed for the bank and just about ran over me.

Dee and another volunteer strapping a dead tree to be moved...

Dee winched a dead tree to block the entrance to the above "go around" and then we raked and filled in the area with big rocks.



Lunch is always fun on the trail.  We sure worked up an appetite!  It was a long, gratifying, fun 8 hour day.  










3D is a beautiful trail that travels through washes lined with gnarly, old cottonwood trees, and over slickrock with spectacular views of canyons and beyond.  It has moderate ledgy challenges that add to the fun.  

Job well done !

Until next time, happy trails !