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RedRoxx44 Queen of the Walkabout
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 1167
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 7:45 am Post subject: May in Utah |
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Time really flies when you are having fun---- to prevent this from being a novel I'll put down an outline then a short (hopefully) summary of key events.
Name trails or places in no particular order--
Honaker trail-- geology tour de force to the San Juan River near the Goosenecks. Layers thru time, great views of river, lots of fossils, beautiful cliff faces, land on a sandy beach. Trail in good shape but need HC for actual TH parking, in the middle of nowhere.
Big Notch TH Dark Canyon to Scorup cabin- Traces headwaters of Dark Canyon thru impressive Cedar Mesa rock formations in a mountain ( think big pine trees) environ in a wide valley. Trail disappears in valley, follow cow paths to cabin. Some ruins too. Very nice and historic cabin in a wonderful setting.
Grand Gulch 5 day from Collins TH to San Juan River and back--- and the rangers said not much archaeo--depends on what you mean. A ton of rock art. The canyon from a little before the side canyon of Redman to near Grand/Shaw arch is some of the most beautiful canyon hiking I've done. Recent rains made for lots of wonderful shallow slickrock pools, water everywhere in this normally dry end of things. Side canyon spectacular. Absolutely great campsites, I carried a bivy and never used it, slept outside every night. This was the last portion of this canyon system I haven't hiked at least once.
Summit of Henry Mountains-- Mt Ellen-- a little over 11K. This was a spontaneous lets escape the heat. Not much of a hike usually as a road goes over a pass between south and north summits. Was able to car camp in a beautiful grassy Aspen ringed meadow at 9,500. Road over pass still snowed in, but trail was pretty clear due to wind blowing snow off. So, some postholing getting up to the TH!!!. Good trip to summit in what must have been 50+ hour winds. Pretty awesome views. No body else on trail and did not see anyone on entire drive up on mountain roads. Woulda come in handy when I had a flat tire and had to change it.
New section of the Dirty Devil River, several days on this one. Tough drive access, road in very bad shape from past flash floods, had to rock fill in and build for Cherokee. Saw no one else on this one either. Pretty hot but great hike as flood had also cleaned out Tams from river side and packed the sand. Some nice swim pools, solitude, big cliffs, slept outside on this one too. Luckily had some "settling" pools to get water from as the River was running with lots of silt. Had another spa mud bath. Great side canyons too.
Oh, and Escalante area. Not enough time there but some new places for me. Nice overland route, getting me out of the canyons, the Boulder Mail trail. Those who have driven the "hogback" on Hwy 12 between Boulder and Escalante near the Calf Creek area--when you look out over the sea of slickrock this is the area of the route. I love history,and this route was in use starting about 1902 for biweekly mail delivery to Boulder, a fairly isolated area even into recent times. In and about 1912 a telephone line was routed over attached to trees to service the families via a party line. This line was in use till about the 1960's I've read. The route follows bits and pieces of this old line, in and out of several fine drainages such as Death Hollow. A very nice overnighter. I walked also along the Escalante, and looked into more sidecanyons of sidecanyons, the narrow slots and lots of fine lighting for the pictures.
Also did some not name hikes, more look at map and explore. Lots of little gems out there. Some places no boot marks or evidence of any recent traffic.
I did a little trip which some will find crazy and controversial. I did something very similar a few years back, and have written about it on a blog I have since lost interest in, maybe revive it when I have time. It's something I cannot recommend for anyone, just another way to experience the land we all love on this site.
I picked an area relatively unknown to me and set out for several days ( 4 in this case) with no map or compass, a day's supply of water and about 3 days of food. No tent, mat or bag, no extra clothes. No stove, did take one pot, spoon. Did have firestarter materials if needed. Carried light weight sil tarp, to function as shelter and rain set up as needed. Limited first aid kit. A little cheating allowed, as it's my rules I play by. The purpose of this little foray is to purposely separate myself from the barriers we have, as I see it, to fully experience traversing the land. The first people had no such luxuries. We as a society are really soft, I feel, but I don't want to get into that here. Others would say we are smarter. I wonder about that too
As I remember--
"The sun comes serenely slipping over the horizon, in advance of the glowing sky I await full immersion of the gold heat sitting with my pack ready. I don't have to spend much time packing, it's so minimal. About 1 minute will do it. The night was good, I had used some ready made depressions in the ground, did a little padding with sandy soil and had nice contours for hips and shoulders. It was a little cold but not bad. I move slowly now though, time walking is to be savored, I pay close attention to my surroundings 360, so as to know my back trail, and orient to the far landmarks. It is the only way, that and the travel of the sun, I have to make my way back. I doubt I have come many miles, but at times it seems I am a world away from the familiar,the comfortable. It's out there, but where??? I find letting go the hardest. I like to have a little security, I need to get rid of that feeling to enjoy this time. Special, the reaching out to the land, make the wilderness soul connection. Use the land to provide your needs. This trip I have specialized in reading the places where water is. This area is arid and desolate, lots of sand. I seek the nooks and crannies of slick rock as I find it, the chutes and narrows, to find the hidden pools. No springs here I have found. I had one hot three quarter of a day without water, and it was mildly uncomfortable. Can't imagine what others felt traveling here, having no way to know when and where the drink might come from. I slowed my pace, shaded up when I could, traversing instead of uphill to conserve energy. And had a laser light focus for the need to "see" my water places, and find them as needed. I found my little 5 gallon paradise nearing day's end, when the low sun was still hot and powerful.
Again, nature is certainly not nurturing in the sense that you just wonder around in paradise. It has no sense of your wonderment, fears or abilities. You must make that choice, the spiritual fullfillment is yours to find, and interpret. If you screw up you will have a miserable time of it or die. Simple. I know personally I find what I most seek out here. Peace, joy, completion, rest, ecstasy. Mostly with some dues attached, maybe a little pain, fatigue, but the other outweighs it. It is different yet the same for others I think, the components you attach value to.
I walk my four days and make it back to the car with a little road walk as I did not hit it dead on. I have no idea how far. Far in my head for sure. I feel lighter inside, and not just because of my minimal pack I am sure."
I don't have any thoughts about the above trip, except it was something I just needed to do. Still like my luxuries, but they are just that. The true luxury is this time I have had to be in the land the little I have been able to do. For those who think I just never stop, I had some slow days with lots of time in camp, time to sit, to explore, to wade in a pool with quicksand between my toes, or sit in back of Jeep and read while wind stirred the tops of trees and deer grazed around me. It was a lovely time. I could certainly get into this no work and all play thing, but will have to wait more than a few years.
Pics will be a massive process sorting thru, and I am not sure right now where and what I'll post--maybe webshots or something else. _________________ You can rest when you're dead |
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gpsjoe
Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 9:32 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like another great trip by the "wild" woman here. I agree that we have become very soft (and fat), even when compared to 1950 (before TV) humanity which would be during my childhood. Also 1950 people were very soft compared to agrarian, cowboy, miner type 1900 people.
Don't know where that's going but it ain't a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, I have become addicted to creature comforts and could not do the things you do. But I always enjoy tales from mystical RedRoxx country. |
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BoyNhisDog The dangerous place where the winds meet
Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1375 Location: Tucson
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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You went some of the same places we did and a whole lot more! I think your catalog of photographs is going to be stunning. _________________ Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide |
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Shawn I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 2592 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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gpsjoe wrote: |
. . . . 1950 people were very soft compared to agrarian, cowboy, miner type 1900 people.
Don't know where that's going but it ain't a healthy lifestyle. . . . |
But then they died at about 50 years of age, so what is "healthy?" _________________ The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
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evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like your bit of heaven, Letty! Glad you made it. _________________ John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
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Trishness The Snake Charmer
Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 2530 Location: Apache Jct, AZ
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Letty,
I'm amazed as always with your adventures. Can't wait for the pictures since I'm heading up to that area in October.
_________________ ~~~Trish~~~
"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings. |
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gpsjoe
Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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Shawn wrote: |
But then they died at about 50 years of age, so what is "healthy?" |
They don't die at 50 any more because of innoculations and other medical advances made in the 1900's (at a stunning pace as with other technological advances). Pre 1900 there were no cars, no planes, no TV or computers and the task of just providing sufficient food was hard work. Man lived without these things for many thousands of years before that.
Now many things are easy. Food is plentiful and easy and we don't have to do hardly any physical work because we have machines, robots and technological gizmos (that I love).
The thing is this all happened in a short 100 years in the history of man. That is dramatic stuff in my opinion. I don't know wheter it's good or bad, I expect a little of both. I tend to believe that mans body needs some physical work (and I don't know how much is enough). I also believe that fatness is bad for your long run health and we are a fat nation. I struggle with weight control like a lot of us do so I'm not making any statement here.
Trends are trends and we do lead a softer, fatter life style with little physical effort needed to get by these days. So we need to hike more and climb more mountains and pass on the Mexican diners afterwards I guess. Our group is undoubtedly better at this than the average American I expect. |
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evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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gpsjoe wrote: |
They don't die at 50 any more because of innoculations and other medical advances made in the 1900's (at a stunning pace as with other technological advances). Pre 1900 there were no cars, no planes, no TV or computers and the task of just providing sufficient food was hard work. Man lived without these things for many thousands of years before that.
Now many things are easy. Food is plentiful and easy and we don't have to do hardly any physical work because we have machines, robots and technological gizmos (that I love).
The thing is this all happened in a short 100 years in the history of man. That is dramatic stuff in my opinion. I don't know wheter it's good or bad, I expect a little of both. I tend to believe that mans body needs some physical work (and I don't know how much is enough). I also believe that fatness is bad for your long run health and we are a fat nation. I struggle with weight control like a lot of us do so I'm not making any statement here.
Trends are trends and we do lead a softer, fatter life style with little physical effort needed to get by these days. So we need to hike more and climb more mountains and pass on the Mexican diners afterwards I guess. Our group is undoubtedly better at this than the average American I expect. |
Agree 100% right up until the part about "pass on the Mexican dinners afterwards"! _________________ John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
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Matt Hoffman
Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 701 Location: Grantham, NH
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Posted: 5/28/2007, 11:25 pm Post subject: Re: May in Utah |
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RedRoxx44 wrote: |
I did a little trip which some will find crazy and controversial. It's something I cannot recommend for anyone, just another way to experience the land we all love on this site.
I picked an area relatively unknown to me and set out for several days ( 4 in this case) with no map or compass, a day's supply of water and about 3 days of food. No tent, mat or bag, no extra clothes. No stove, did take one pot, spoon. Did have firestarter materials if needed. Carried light weight sil tarp, to function as shelter and rain set up as needed. Limited first aid kit. A little cheating allowed, as it's my rules I play by. The purpose of this little foray is to purposely separate myself from the barriers we have, as I see it, to fully experience traversing the land. The first people had no such luxuries. We as a society are really soft, I feel, but I don't want to get into that here. Others would say we are smarter. I wonder about that too
I walk my four days and make it back to the car with a little road walk as I did not hit it dead on. I have no idea how far. Far in my head for sure. I feel lighter inside, and not just because of my minimal pack I am sure."
I don't have any thoughts about the above trip, except it was something I just needed to do. |
Letty, you are totally awesome! I completely admire the things you do! I can relate to your sense of adventure. I am starting to realize that I am falling away from that side of me and am becoming "soft." Thanks for the wake-up call! _________________ "Your day-glo ballet days are over." Ancient chinese proverb.
http://web.mac.com/climbingsponge/Matt_Hoffman_Images/Welcome.html |
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IGO
Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: 5/29/2007, 5:41 am Post subject: |
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Well you said you were going to escape for awhile. Well done. _________________ "Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir |
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Arizonaheat Got Supes Juice?
Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 1741 Location: Mesa, AZ
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Posted: 5/29/2007, 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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Bravo.
I can't say welcome home, because society is not your home, nor is it mine.
I will say welcome back from "your home" and may you return to more adventures in "your home", soon
Man, Letty, that time really flew by. |
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RedRoxx44 Queen of the Walkabout
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 1167
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BoyNhisDog The dangerous place where the winds meet
Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1375 Location: Tucson
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Posted: 5/29/2007, 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent work! I see you came in sometime after us at Skorup's. I arraigned a few things differently for some photography in there and recognize them now. Love all the various subjects and views along your entire trail. _________________ Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide |
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PageRob
Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.
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Posted: 5/29/2007, 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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You take some of the most beautiful pictures. I was just up Utah way Monday. Looks like a darn fun trip. _________________ Anywhere is within walking distance if you spend the time. |
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YH Hooli Wants to be just like me!
Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 387 Location: Portland, OR and Yosemite on a good day.
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Posted: 5/29/2007, 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Question: How does one make rock, dirt and a muddy river look good.
Answer: Have Letty take a picture of it!
You truly capture the beauty of any place you are in. |
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