Spring 2012: Friday (3/30) and Saturday (3/31)

Friday was another lazy day – thank heaven.  We did make it out for a few beers and appetizers at the Blu Pig.  They had a nice little band playing “Mustang Sally” type music.  Today, Saturday, we got up early and drove about 100 miles to a beautiful slot canyon called Little Wildhorse.  Some places were so narrow we had to turn sideways.  There were some hairy spots that required a little climbing but other than that it was a pretty easy walk.  Only a few miles from there is Goblin Valley.  Of course Vaughan had to climb to the top of one of the biggest peaks.  There is still a little boy trapped inside of him.  Coming back through Moab we decided to check the madness at Slickrock.  A few brave souls drove their jeeps up Potato Salad Hill – a very steep rocky climb.  The RV parks are now all full and I had to insist Vaughan stop saying “Jeep” every time he saw one.

Rock formation on the way to Little Wildhorse Canyon.

One of the easier sections of Little Wildhorse.

Here is a short movie of  walking through the slot canyon.

Pretty amazing

 I had to hold this one up for Vaughan to get through.

 Part of Goblin Valley

Vaughan had to climb this one - had to!

Crazy guys trying to get up Potato Salad Hill in Moab. 

This hill is famous for lots of roll-overs - see youtube.

Spring 2012: Monday (3/26) thru Thursday (3/29)

Sorry I haven’t updated this in a few days.   Monday was a day for laundry and grocery shopping.  Jeep week starts this weekend and the locals tell us the grocery stores will be picked clean, restaurants full, roads grid-locked, and parking downtown will be a major feat.  Tuesday we went back to hike Hells Revenge – seeing I didn’t get to see it from on top.  Wednesday was a lazy day for me anyway – Vaughan worked most of the day. 

Thursday I went to a place called Hole in the Rock.  A man and his wife with started excavating in the 40’s and when he finished 12 years later he had a cave/home that was 5000 sq ft with full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, an artist studio, etc.  The place was really amazing.  Later we went back out Kane Creek road to Hunter Canyon – lots more cliff roads going down switchbacks.  It was a beautiful hike along the base of a canyon. 

The hike up Hells Revenge - hard to believe people drive Jeeps up this.

Another section of Hells Revenge.  This guy is in a Suburban

These 2 girls walked their bikes up one side and then rode down the other. 

This gives a good perspective on the size of most fins.

Hole in the Rock from the outside.  

Three cave entries are enclosed so the home stays 65-75 degrees year round.

This is the main entry inside the home.

 This guy is ready for Jeep Week - body is covered with license plates and the rest is made of every kind of metal part you can find.

I found a throne in Hunter Canyon.  A much easier hike than those we've had so far.

The rock formations never cease to amaze.

Vaughan - Rock - Tree

Arch seen from way below in Hunter Canyon - this is actually up around 200 feet above us.

 

Spring 2012: Sunday (3/25) – Negro Bill Canyon

Yes, the actual name of the canyon is Negro Bill – named for a black prospector and rancher who grazed his cattle there during the late 1800s.  It was about 5 miles round trip crossing over a small stream in a number of places - Vaughan got one foot soaked.

At the end of the trail is Morning Glory Natural Bridge which is the sixth largest natural bridge in the United States spanning 243 feet.  It was an amazing sight.  One young couple had just repelled down from the top.

One of the caves along the trail.

You have to cross this stream in a number of places - some much wider than this. 

This is Morning Glory from a distance.

This is standing directly under Morning Glory.

Can you see the small cave in the middle of this rock.  Below is a close up.

Looks like an eagles nest in there.

 

Spring 2012: Few movies from Saturday - Fisher Towers

Vaughan insisted I put in these 2 movies from Saturday's hike on the Fisher Towers Trail.  The first one you'll see is me walking along the side of the cliff from a distance.  It doesn't look so bad until you see the second movie which is Vaughan filming the walk as he goes.  For someone with a fear of heights (and breaking another knee) it was extremely uncomfortable for me.  

Julie walking - but not crying

Vaughan walking

Spring 2012: White Rim - Fisher Towers - Hells Revenge

Saturday (3/24) – Fisher Towers & Hells Revenge

So instead of camping/jeeping today we went to the Fisher Towers Trail.  If you have seen the Citibank commercial with the girl standing on top of the pinnacle talking about new nylons, shoes, and a big rock, that is where we were.  The trail was about 5 miles round trip with lots of crazy people climbing up that rock and a few others.  It was a very strenuous trail (for me) but what a treat to see these climbers.  There were lots more cliffs and a ladder involved but we did it.  We even saw one dog that refused to go further on the trail.  Vaughan decided later that day to take his Honda back to Hells Revenge and do the entire ride, not just the first hill.  Dinner was at the Branding Iron across the street from our RV (amazing fry bread and prime rib).

More Desert Bighorns up on the side of the road. 

This is Fisher Towers. The high peak on the right is the one the climbers love. 

Here is one of many climbers we saw make it to the top. Totally insane if you ask me. 

Other peaks in Fisher Towers. Magnificent.  We had to climb up quite a ways to see these fully. 

I was able to take a video of Vaughan riding up Hells Revenge but did not post it.  Here however is a link to a youtube video of someone else on the Hells Revenge.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCltV2S_X_Q

Friday (3/23) – White Rim Trail Camping(?) Trip

Today started out at dawn with a drive up to Island in the Sky to start the White Rim Trail in our rented Jeep.  The ranger we spoke to said it would take about 5 hours to get to our first designated campsite.  The first 6 miles were called the Shaffer Trail switchbacks – extremely steep and next to the canyon edge.  As you may guess, I was not pleased – especially when 3 bighorn sheep jumped out in front of us.  The next 13 miles were full of bumps, climbs, scary canyon edges, and some of the most beautiful landscape you’ll ever see.  We made it to our campsite in 2 ½ hours (10:30AM). It took about a ½ hour to set up camp and then we sat in the hot sun for about an hour with no shade to be found.  We giggled at each other, decided this was not for us and headed back out.  We found a different route out (Potash Rd) which was a lot tougher as far as bumps go but at least not on the rim of cliffs.  We made it home by 6:00PM and slept in a nice bed.

Here are the switch backs we drove down.

This is almost to the bottom.

Here is a short video on the drive through the switchbacks. (I hope you can see this).

Here are the friendly Desert Bighorn Sheep that nearly ran into us on the way.

Here I am in one piece.  

The top of the mountain is where this journey started.

Vaughan being daring and crossing Musselman Arch.

Our beautiful campsite.

The other side of the road was another cliff down to the Colorado River.

A spectacular view.

Spring 2012: Thursday (3/22) – Hidden Valley & Gemini Bridges

Today was not a day for people afraid of heights like me.  We first climbed up a trail called Hidden Valley.  It was all up hill – in the pictures you can’t tell where the trail is but it changed 690 feet in elevation all in the first 45 minutes.  I had to stop about ¾ of the way up.  My knee would not allow me to go any further.  Vaughan went the distance and was rewarded with a spectacular view.  We had a very nice dinner at the Moab Brewery and then picked up our Jeep which we will live in the next 3 days.  We took it for a test drive on a trail called Gemini Bridges.  We did not get far before I cried Uncle.  The first mile of the trail was on the side of a cliff on a very rough road.

You won’t hear from us for the next 3 days.  We will be Jeeping the White Rim Trail and spending 2 nights camping out under the stars.  I'll post again on Monday.  Wish us luck.

This is midway up Hidden Valley Trail. 

Goes all the way to the top.

View was worth the climb.  

If you look close enough you can see our RV in the valley.

Yes, this was the scary climb up Gemini Bridges.

I'm glad we didn't meet anyone coming down.

Vaughan standing by our new home for 3 days.

Coming down Gemini - now I'm on the outside rim and in tears.

Spring 2012: Wednesday (3/21) – Baby Lions Back & Hells Revenge

The weather is improving daily here – warmer and clearer.  As promised Vaughan road his Honda on a few of the Slickrock trails today.  He rode four trails: Fins N Things, Slickrock, Baby Lions Back, and Hells Revenge (appropriately named).  I stood by and took pictures and movies.  I’m not sure which was scarier – riding or watching.  I’ll stick to watching.  He did have one spill and skinned up an elbow (pad not in right place).  He bent his shifter and had to nurse bike back in first gear.  Here are a few shots – we’ll show you the movies when we get home.

In the beginning ...

Start of Fins N Things

On the Slickrock Trail (before the fall)

Baby Lions Back 

Hells Revenge - you don't want to get off the track

This is the real Lions Back - which fortunately was closed due to too many crashes; otherwise, Vaughan would have tried this one too.

 

Spring 2012: Tuesday (3/20) - Potash Rd & Corona Arch

What a beautiful clear day today.  This afternoon we drove up Potash Road on the north bank of the Colorado River.  There were lots of crazy people climbing up the sheer cliffs - cool to watch but there isn’t enough money in the world to make me do that.  We hiked the Corona Arch Trail to see 2 amazing arches.  I stayed over on the safe side of the canyon and took pictures of Vaughan.  There was a ladder to climb and steep banks so I chickened out.  Towards evening we drove out along the Slickrock Trail where all the bicyclists and motorcyclists like to go.  I think Vaughan will take his Honda out there tomorrow.  We had dinner in town at La Hacienda with some home-made Sangria (very potent stuff).

Both arches from where I sat while Vaughan ventured over.

See if you can find Vaughan

He's in there somewhere

I'm easier to spot

View of La Sal Mountains from Slickrock Trail

Crazy Climbers - getting started at base of 500 foot cliff

Spring 2012: Kane Creek & Steel Bender

We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning.  Unfortunately Vaughan has to work over in the main office of the RV park in order to get a good internet connection (actually he is in the laundry room making up for all the time I usually spend in such wonderful places).  He took the afternoon off and we went for a drive up Kane Creek which follows the Colorado River through a beautiful canyon.  We couldn’t get very deep into the canyon because a car went over the cliff and a wrecker was there hauling him out.  Ouch!  Later we went to what’s known as Steel Bender Trail for him to ride his old Honda 200XR.  It started snowing again so we didn’t stay long. Hopefully we won't get much.  More later …

Kane Creek 

Cool house built into cliff

Kane Creek Canyon

Kane Creek

Vaughan getting ready for Steel Bender Trail