Corona Arch

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
April 11, 2017

Hiking to Corona Arch is one of my favorite things to do in Moab.  We haven't done this trail since our son Joe and DIL Jena were here in June, 2015.  It was time, and yesterday was the day !

With highs expected in the mid seventies, we were up and at the trailhead a little before 10:00 am.  The parking lot only had two other vehicles...perfect !  

Corona Arch Trail is rated moderate.  It's an in and out 3 mile roundtrip trail that follows Bootlegger Canyon.  The trail begins with a climb up a rocky talus slope, that changes to sand and then climbs a shallow rocky canyon.  From there its a trek across sloping slickrock with cairns showing the way.  There is very little shade on this trail...spring and fall are perfect months to explore here.      


 

In one spot, Moki steps and a cable make climbing a steep slickrock ledge a lot easier.

A ladder is used to climb up another steep slickrock bench.  I love the gnarly cedar tree that stands all alone at the top.  A cable for the ladder wraps around the base of the tree.    

Corona Arch is magnificent with an opening that measures 140' X 105'.  I was glad to see signs restricting rope usage on the arch.  It has been a popular spot for rappelling.  An added bonus on the hike is Bowtie Arch.  It's a pothole arch formed when a pothole above filled with water and eroded down into a cave below.

Bowtie Arch...

I climbed up to the base of Bowtie Arch and found Moon Flowers growing in the moist soil.

Corona Arch...

A zoomed in photo of Joe looking up at Corona Arch.

Same photo not zoomed in.

If you look closely, you can see me walking under the arch. 

And an up shot... 

All along the way to and from the arches, we enjoyed the warm sunshine and signs of spring along the way.  Reds and oranges were the colors of the day.  The Hedgehog cacti were quite stunning...

as were the Indian Paintbrush.

It's amazing how these plants grow in a small clump of dirt in the middle of slickrock.

A little bit of yellow...

A Stemless Woollybase (in the Sunflower Family)

and a butterfly add to the magnificent little things all around us.

Oh and there were whites too.   

Tomentose Amsonia

  

Cliffrose

Well, I can't say enough about what an awesome day it was.
Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS!

The Moab Maiden

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
April 3, 2017


Finding the Moab Maiden, sometimes called the Moab Princess, is a fun way to spend a couple of hours especially when you are hiking with friends.  Monday dawned rather chilly and overcast so after the gym, Joe and I settled in for a lazy day with the pups.  The phone rings about 10:00 am and Scott says, "Do you want to go exploring?"  We couldn't reply "YES!" quick enough !

The round trip hike to Moab Maiden takes an hour or more depending on how long you want to explore and enjoy the sights.  The trailhead, located just outside of Moab on Kane Creek Road, features a creek crossing,  a steep ascent/descent, some rock scrambling, and slick rock. 

The Maiden is a solitary figure on a boulder.  The boulder rests on a ridge that overlooks a canyon where Kane Springs Creek flows into the  Colorado River.  The trail that follows Kane Creek Springs is another fun trail to do, but we turned right at the junction and headed up ! 







The scenery from the top of the ridge was spectacular. 

 A close up of Kane Creek Road and the cotton woods from the ridge...

and another picture of Kane Creek Road as we saw it. 

 Humongous, beautiful red rock filled the landscape as far as the eye could see...

and the little things up close that always catch my eye made for a picture perfect day.  Such impressive needles !

The Indian Paintbrush is quite showy among the greens and grays.  

The creek crossing where I was happy to have waterproof boots.



Scott took us to another spot to see petroglyphs, and it turned out to be more of a rock climbing adventure.  Joe, sat this one out.  My vertically challenged self made it up two of the steep ledges with no foot holes or anything to hold on to. Keep in mind we were going up and the spot where we started was fading away fast.  Trust me, its a lot steeper than it looks.  This is the spot anxiety took over and I called it quits even though Scott and Chris were willing to help me.    

  

  

Scott 

We walked the base of the cliff searching for more rock art...





















but only found a lonely longhorn sheep.




From there, we were all off to the Moab Diner for a late lunch.  

Until next time, 

Chris getting a selfie with the Moab Maiden.

HAPPY TRAILS !