Klondike Bluffs Auto Hike

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
June 9, 2019

The morning of June 9th dawned with windy conditions and much cooler temps.  Our plan was to hike Tower Arch, but those plans quickly changed the moment we stepped outside.  The skies were bright blue and clear so we decided an auto hike would be more comfortable.  



Since we were headed to Arches NP anyway, we decided to do a drive through on our way to Salt Valley.  

Balanced Rock doesn't look so impressive int he photo, but it stands 128 feet tall.

We made a quick stop at the Windows Section, also known as the Spectacles, but didn't linger.  The chilly wind and poor morning lighting was a deterrent.  I'm thinking for the best pictures a sunset visit would be better. 

First attempt to photo the Spectacles...now it is a challenge !

 Salt Valley is a gorgeous section of Arches.  Tower Arch is a secluded arch in the northwest corner of the valley near the park border.  There is little traffic on the gravel/dirt road that meanders the valley...it is well maintained and as long as it is dry, most vehicles will not have any trouble.   

The road is gravel...

...which changes to soft red dirt...

...then hard packed dirt after you exit the park.

The wildflowers are definitely fading away. The Mule's Ears are one of my favorite! 

We did spot a pair of Pronghorns just outside the park.  These animals have a long history and are quite unique.  Did you know that their closet living relatives are giraffes and okapi ?  

Pronghorns are the only animals in the world that have branched horns.

 Did you know they have the longest land migration and they are the fastest land animal in North America ?  And did you know Pronghorns are one of only a few living links to the Ice Age ?    

Just look at those eyelashes...

After leaving the park we took a side road we hoped would take us over Klondike Bluffs.  It turned out to be a dead-end. 

Going up...


  

 The end of the road...about 1.4 miles in.

And back down...

 All in all, it turned into a pretty good adventure for a Sunday morning.  And the best part, we still have the Tower Arch hike to look forward to.  

On the home front, we haven't had very many colorful sunrises or sunsets lately, but I did get a photo the other night of an orange sunset...

Looking west towards Moab Rim...behind our MH

 and the orange glow on the rim in front of us.

Looking east towards the LaSal Mountains...in front four MH

Gopher Flats has been quite colorful this spring.  The Penstemons and Austrian Copper Roses have been replaced with Heather, Lavender, lots of Butterfly bushes, Smoke bushes and gorgeous trees.

 

 So until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS ! 

Mule Canyon Hike to House on Fire

Gopher Flats
June 5, 2019
Moab, UT

June 5th was a fun day trip.  Our destination was about 80 miles south of Moab.  We were up early and headed south on Hwy 191.  

A beautiful stretch of Hwy 191

After driving through Monticello and Blanding, we made a right turn onto Hwy 95.  

A new Highway for us to explore.

We kept our eyes open for a dirt road on the right just past mile-marker 102.

After paying a small fee at the kiosk, we drove a quarter of a mile and parked on the side of the road to begin our hike in Mule Canyon.  This hike has been "in the bucket" of things to do for quite awhile and I was thrilled to be there.  I was also thrilled that only one other vehicle had parked at the trailhead.

The pleasant hike into Mule Canyon is well marked and quite pretty this time of year if you like tall canyon walls covered in green foliage, trees and wildflowers.

 The trail follows a creek bed as it meanders through the canyon.  This area is loaded with Anasazi ruins with House on Fire being the most popular.  The ruins in Mule Canyon date back to 700 to 1000 years ago. 

It was a bit surreal walking and talking in the canyon that the Anasazi also lived in going about their daily lives and depending on the plants and animals for survival.  

The yucca plants were plentiful in the canyon.  It's so cool to think that the Anasazi used them daily for many necessities. Since they were such great weavers, they had skills to use the yucca in many ways. Hats, ropes, shoes and clothing were created along with string used to make weapons.  Yucca produces a "banana like fruit" that also provided a great source of fiber.  

 Our destination for the day was House of Fire.  It's a little over a mile from the trailhead.  And our goal was to be there mid-morning to catch the glow from the indirect sunlight that gives the ruins it's name.  We were early, so we waited...

...and waited...

and like magic, the House on Fire !

A big "WOW"!

As with so many of our adventures, our hike through Mule Canyon to House on Fire summons us to other hikes and more ruins there...a goal to check more off the bucket list.

I'll close for now with a few more pictures from the day. 

Nature's art...

My favorite color for prickly pear blooms...

This is not a National Monument or park.  The ruins in Mule Canyon have not been restored nor rebuilt.

The beginning of the trail before it dropped into the wash...

There was a family of crows in an alcove just above House of Fire.  Not a great photo, but mama stayed very busy feeding her two babies.

 So, until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !