good-times-rollin

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

A Hike to Jeep Arch

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
May 18, 2018

Joe and I first hiked to Jeep Arch in April 2016. We loved it the first time and were not surprised that we were just as awed last Friday when we ventured into Culvert Canyon to retrace our steps. It is a 4 mile in and out hike that requires a lot of "paying attention" to find your way.

The trailhead began once we passed through a huge culvert (that always makes for a cool picture) under the railroad tracks.

Culvert Canyon

We emerged into a cool...as in the temperature...sandy wash. A sign pointed left and off we went, but not before I smelled and took a few pictures of the moonflowers that lined both sides of the wash.

Once on our way, it was a steep climb up a narrow and overgrown trail. The Colorado River quickly came into view just above the railroad tracks we had walked under.

The views of the canyon below...

The trail is not always easy to follow.

Pay close attention to the cairns that show the way...they are not always visible. And, plan on allowing more time than indicated by the mileage.

The scenery and trying to stay on trail slowed us down.

Blooming Prickly Pear cacti was the flower of the day ! There were soooo many.

Also, along the way we passed Utah Daisys and Perky Sues...

Sego Lilies...

Utah state flower

and a flower I couldn't identify.

The Cliff Rose blooms are almost gone. The mature seed has a long-tailed hair that attaches to it. These hairs act like a "tiny parachute" and aid the wind in dispersing the seeds. The fascinating part is that the hairs help "drill" the seeds into the ground. Once the seeds land in soil, the wind blows the curved hair rotating it to push the seed into the soil...amazing !

The trail traverses over slick rock,

red sand,

and boulders.

The toughest part of the trail was a trek up a steep slick rock section...it is steep ! I tackled it on all fours up and down !

Once we made that climb, jeep arch was just around the corner.

Joe didn't make the last climb to the arch. He did get a "zoom" picture of me under it.

So far, we have hit the jackpot for hikes that offer quiet and solitude. We did meet one group of four hikers beginning the hike as we were heading out...just the way we like it ! There is not much shade on this hike so we recommend an early start this time of year. It gets hot on the rocks !

Do you see the rose ?

Until next time, happy days and ...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Oops, I almost forgot, Jack has a new baby Lamby.

Up next...exploring, a little history, and Hellroaring Canyon

Sunday, May 20, 2018

A Pickle and Mashed Potatoes on Saturday and Some Steelbender on Sunday

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
May 12 & 13, 2018

The club run scheduled for the week-end of May 12 was Pickle and Mashed Potatoes.

We had a large turn out of members plus wheelers from Wyoming and Canada making a total of 16 vehicles in all.

To get to the Pickle trailhead, its a nice drive through some gorgeous country

including Hunter Canyon where John Wayne hitched up his horse to a cottonwood tree in one of the many western movies shot in this area.

Pickle trail is less than a mile and full of flexy fun that follows a wash through a canyon.

There are three named obstacles that do not have bypasses. Here we approach the first obstacle.

Joe and I were the next to the last vehicle in the line-up. We followed Jeff in the yellow buggy, Susan (Jeff's wife) in the blue buggy and in front of us was Chris.

Dill Pickle is where the fun begins !

Warren has no trouble making the double ledge climb.

Around the curve on the other side of the rock pillar is a narrow section of trail. It is a squeeze to get through there...

...and a pickle to get out of. Thus the name ! Here Chris gets a passenger front tire lift as she skillfully works her way out.

Up next is the Pickle Slicer. To us, it's the toughest of the three obstacles to climb. Precise tire placement and angle of approach are key for success.

Chris aces Pickle Slicer as Dee watches.

Jalapeno Pickle, a climbing challenge out of the canyon, is narrow and tricky.

Susan makes it look easy!

Endless mounds of white ledges, rocks and notches give Mashed Potatoes Trail it's name. It's an easy trail of ups and downs with spectacular views.

There is one major obstacle on Mashed Potatoes...Gravy Boat. It does have a bypass !

Melissa dips in the Gravy Boat...

Jeff, in the yellow samurai buggy he built, and his wife Susan in her blue samurai buggy that Jeff built, wait their turn at the Gravy Boat.

Jeff enjoys lunch and the Gravy Boat...both at the same time!

Chris climbs out of Gravy Boat...Wile E waits his turn !

Well, I did mention the spectacular views...

The flower of the day...Mule's Ears

Sunday was Steelbender day. Joe and I were the meat in the sandwich between Dee and Chris. Its a mellow drive practically in our backyard at Gopher Flats. We entered on the south side and skipped the north side loop making for a beautiful fun way to spend a few hours.