Deadman's Springs

Gopher Flats
May 4, 2019
Moab, UT


Our MFFW (Moab Friends For Wheelin) club ride for May 4th was Deadman Springs.  It was a new trail for us and I was excited it had been planned.  It is an easy 32 mile (off-rode) experience with slick rock, occasional small ledges, and dirt and rocks.  

It's an EJS trail that Carole (a friend and fellow MFFW member) had participated in and she was willing to lead for us.  


Our first stop for the day was the actual springs and a short hike to a beautiful alcove.  I did read that back in the 1890s, this was a functioning stock reservoir.  The story goes that two old cowboys found a dead cowhand at the springs...hence the name.

The short hike to the alcove only had a little bit of water.

Hiking to the alcove...

 The wall was very tall and the air so cool.    

     
The ride to our second stop which was the first Spring Canyon overlook was full of wide open vistas, wildflowers, and rocks.

In addition to the showy Whipple's Cacti and Claretcup Cacti which were plentiful, we saw...

Spiny Hopsage

Desert Lupine

Howell's Phacelia

 Named rockes we saw were The Twins...

and Queen's Rock.

They were pretty cool, but it was the other rocks along the way that really caught my eye.

At the first overlook, we could see the bottom of the very deep Spring Canyon and the valley below.  The jagged rocks make for a careful step when walking along the edge .

There was even some water in the spring.

Remember Tombstone Rock?  With a zoom, we could see it!

















And Secret Spire?  I could even zoom in on it too !

We had one more stop for the day...a second overlook. It was a little further down the canyon.  In fact we could make out the end of Spring Canyon and see the beginning of Hey Joe Canyon.  

If you look closely in the center of the photo you will see the trail to the bottom of the canyon.  We did Spring Canyon Bottom last year.  It's a gorgeous trail too...steep, but not too narrow.

 

Dee pointing out Spring Canyon Bottom trail.

The slickrock at this overlook was covered with Indian paintbrush.  It was such a vibrant color and so showy against the pale rock.


 The cliff rose were blooming too, filling the air with their sweet perfume. 

It was another beautiful day with good friends !  And a huge thank you to Carole for showing us the way.    

So, until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Moab Trails with New Friends

Gopher Flats
May 3 & 5, 2019
Moab, UT

When we were stranded in Tuba City waiting for a part so Joe could fix our MH, we met the family next door.  The Johnsons...Kjersti and Erich and their four smart, curious, and polite and lovely children (Asia, Jake, River and Micah) and their well-behaved Irish Setter (Cooper).  Erich is a traveling nurse and presently has a contract in Tuba City.  It's a good location for them to take excursions on his 4 days off.  When we mentioned we were headed to Moab, Kjersti said it was there next destination.  We offered to go off-roading and hiking with them.  They arrived on Thursday, May 4, and our first adventure on the following day was to go to Secret Spire and Dellenbaugh Tunnel.  There is a cool pour-off on the way to the tunnel.  

This is the view of Spring Canyon from the pour-off.  The pour-off is just beneath the little clump of flowers on the right side of the picture below.  This is where Spring Canyon ends or begins...not sure which.

It's a short hike over slick rock to get to the other side of the canyon.  

From here we headed to Dellenbaugh Tunnel.  It's not like me, but I don't have any pictures of the tunnel.  It was a fun stop for the kids and a nice place to have lunch !

Our last stop for the day was Secret Spire.  The area around the spire is mostly slick rock with a few little patches of flora.  

Firecracker Penstemon

A small patch of blooming Whipple's Fishhook Cacti

 It was fun watching the Johnsons explore and enjoy the spire and surrounding domes.

On Sunday we were up and out the door by 7:15 to meet the Johnsons.  The days adventure was a hike to Corona Arch.  It was a beautiful day and we even had a nice breeze.  Being early is good to beat the crowds on this very popular hike.  It is also doggie friendly so Cooper joined us.  I found myself in camera overload watching Asia, Jake, River and Micah enjoying the day, nature, and just life !  Not one time did either of them complain or fuss and in fact all had lots of fun.  

And Micah, who will be 3 in August, walked the whole 3 miles with the exception of a few steep places. 

  

Micah climbs the ladder...all by himself!

Asia heads up to Bowtie Arch.

River enjoying the shade.

Jake and Cooper take in the view.

There are actually two arches to explore on this hike.  After climbing the Moki steps (carved by Ancient Pueblo Indians into the near-vertical sandstone surfaces) and a ladder installed by the BLM, the trail leads you on top of a large bench of slickrock with sheer drop-offs as the trail takes you under Bowtie Arch.  

Bowtie Arch is a pothole Arch.





















I was happy to see water seeping down the red rock.  I love the color and design and hanging gardens.

 From Bowtie Arch, the trail continues along the slickrock to the base of Corona Arch.

Corona Arch measures 140 X 105 feet wide.  A local bush pilot flew his plane through the arch back in the 80s. 

 It is incredible to tilt your head back and gaze up at the streamer of red rock towering above you with only clear blue sky in the background.

A happy band of trail warriors...

Back row  L to R : Joe, me, Micah, River
Front row L to R : Asia, Cooper, Erich, Jake and Kjersti

We sure enjoyed our time with this awesome family and hope our paths cross again.  So until next time, 

Prince's Plume

Jake, Micah and River taking a break.

Harriman's Yucca

Asia, Jake and River

Stemless Woolybase ( or, Perky Sue )

Asia

Jake leads the way followed by River, Joe and Asia

HAPPY TRAILS !