Spring Break

Boy did I need a break from the grind of being a middle school teacher, fortunately I found some time to get out in the fresh air!

First some hiking in Zion with Renee's cousin Garrett and Cindi. We first tried to hike to Hidden Canyon but ice and lack of preparedness prevented that. So instead we hiked up to Shelf Canyon.  Because of melting snow water the canyon floor was covered by about a couple inches of water. We took our shoes off ran as far into the slot as we could tolerate and then quickly ran back to our shoes!

Here are some other pictures of our day! 

Next we had a picnic at Red Cliffs Recreation Site. This was one of my favorite spots when I was a kid and with the beautiful weather who could pass up a picnic! 

My last day before heading to Puerto Rico my Mom, Rory, Niah and myself went to Coral Pink Sand Dunes. I have never been to Coral Pink it was awesome! I for sure will not make that mistake again and hope to return soon.

 

After exploring the dunes for a while we head to an arch near Coral Pink. 

Heavenly Hop Valley

A secondary title for this hike easily could be "One Heck Of A Long Hike". Initially I wanted to do a little backpacking trip and camp out near LaVerkin creek in the Kolob Finger canyons portion of Zion National Park. After my own lack of preparedness and Renee worrying about me hiking/camping alone I decided I would do what I planned to do in two days, in one long day hike. When I say long I mean 20 miles of ups, downs, jumps and ankle breaking tumbles . This was a challenge that few would face and even fewer could accomplish. Brandon, Rod and myself were up for the challenge and decided to determine what was more powerful, our sure to be wrecked bodies after 20 miles, or our minds pushing our bodies forward.

Knowing that we were in for a long day we began hiking prior to sunrise and in the cool morning air quickly descended from the Hop Valley trailhead into Hop Valley. Other than dodging cows, their feces and repeatedly having to hop over the stream , Hop Valley was one of the most unique valleys in Southern Utah. Lying in between two nearly vertical sandstone cliffs, the verdant valley would later be salvation for the three of us.

After passing through the valley we continued down the now dry wash (because the trail signs had somehow fallen down we actually no longer were on the trail at this point) quickly we realized that a horse could not travel where were were hiking and knew that somehow we had lost the trail, but we continued on. We knew eventually the dry stream bed would run into LaVerkin Creek. As we hiked down the canyon it was a man v wild moment for us. We had to find our way through around dry falls, old landslides, etc. At one point I jumped off a dry fall into the sand below. It turned out to be higher than anticipated fortunately I did not hurt myself but my backpack did not take the jostling well and would later rip apart. The worst part of our off trail adventure was my weathered shorts soon fell casualty and ripped, luckily for me, Brandon, Rod and every other hiker we saw I was wearing underwear!

After 6 1/2 miles we finally found LaVerkin creek and set out to see a waterfall in Beartrap Canyon. Every time we heard water cascading we thought surely we had finally arrived at our destination, but every time we "heard" a waterfall it turned out to just be the river. Eventually after traveling through through the Bear Canyon narrows we arrived at a zen like waterfall. It was pretty impressive and for us desert rats a rare beauty.

Next we set out to backtrack to where the Hop Valley trail intersects with the LaVerkin creek trail and then hike to the worlds second largest free standing arch, Kolob Arch. Also at this time Rod's knee began to bother him. Somehow Rodney, as my friend Dusty used to say, "cowboyed up" and continued to hike the remaining 2 miles to the arch and 6 1/2 miles back to the car. A lesser man would have crumbled but not Rod!
Kolob Arch after years of uncertainty was finally measured by avid arch hunters and after measurement declared to be the second largest free standing arch behind Landscape Arch in Arches National Park. Landscape Arch, in our lifetime will probably break which would leave Kolob Arch the largest in the world. Even though the arch is HUGE it is difficult to comprehend its true size because it is a thousand feet or more up the cliff face. Even so it is something that we could not pass on seeing even though Rod had a bum knee. It also wouldnt stop Rod from hugging the huge ponderosa near the arch viewpoint.

After the arch we began the trek back to the car. 6 1/2 miles after already hiking over 13. This homestretch is where the boys would be separated from the men! The hike back was truly torturous. Because we initially were lost and hiked down a canyon rather than remain on the trail, we were uncertain of the challenges that lay ahead of us. The climb out of LaVerkin creek to Hop Valley without a better word, SUCKED!! It was a vertical climb in the full sun. Rod later mentioned that the combination of his knee, and exhaustion was ready to pull out his weapon and fire it into the mountain repeatedly. Finally after what seemed an eternity Hop Valley finally was within sight, at this point I decided I would name this posting Heavenly Hop Valley because the sight of the valley also meant salvation for all of us.

Once inside the Valley we decided to take a break, sit on the bank and soak our feet in the water. Even though we all knew that upstream cattle feces was flowing down on our feet not one of us complained!

The remainder of the hike can be summed up by paraphrasing Bear Gryllis from Man V Wild. You have to stay focused, keep your spirits high and keep moving!

Observation Point

Observation Point

Originally the plan was to go fishing at Lee's Ferry with some friends, but due to unstable weather that plan did not happen and instead I was blessed with the opportunity to hike to a holy mountaintop. Some of my favorite places, ones where I feel truly at one with nature and its Creater come from locations with high panoramic views, which is odd because I am somewhat afraid of heights. For this pilgrimage I was joined by Dean and Cory. Little brother Trevor was invited but turned down the invitation due to his semester nearing an end and the need to attend classes. Because I had to work in the afternoon we left early, and that was the best thing that could have happened. Due to our early departure we were the only ones on the trail and once at the top enjoyed a solitude that is hard to find in busy Zion National Park. Be advised for any adventurous hikers wanting to reach the point. This is a strenous up and down hike. Out of the 8 miles atleast 6 are either going up or down. It is hard on the body and the knees but is one of the best hikes in Zion. Besides the views of the canyon below one of the most enjoyable, although in the morning it was extremely cold and windy, parts of the hike is wandering through echo canyon. We made great time, didnt stop for breaks and quickly made it to the top. Once at the end of the trail, when I say end I mean it, any further hiking would lead to a 2,500 foot fall. I have hiked to Cable Mountain, and Deertrap Mountain which both offer high views of the main canyon, but because of the location of Observation Point one has the best view of the main canyon. The view is magnificent, and because no one else was around a very quiet feeling of peace and reverance reigned in all of our hearts!

Dean cautiously peeking over the edge. Angels Landing can be seen far below!

Remember that little fin sticking out in the bottom left of the picture.

Angels Landing can be seen in the middle/right of the picture

Echo Canyon

Hiking through Echo Canyon

Remember the mental picture of the fin looking down on it from the top? This is the same fin from half way down the trail.

From the bottom of the trail one cant see the Observation Point. This is from on the trail, so not even at the bottom, looking up to Observation Point.

Same fin this time near the canyon floor

More Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

More Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Ive decided that the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve (RCDR) is truly underrated! My latest trip there was one of my hiking highlights of 2008 and this time I was able to share the experience with Trevor. Without any source of information whatsoever(is this a word?), I plotted our journey up the north face of Sandstone Mountain, and then down the south side of the mountain (we are not mountain climbers, we merely found a possible way up and down without any type of technical skills other than scrambling) Once on top we were able to see LaVerkin, with an stunning view of West Temple in the background, the city of Hurricane, Leeds, Pinevalley, and as far south as Sand Hollow. After spending some time contemplating on top of the mountain we began to pick, or slide down the backside of the mountain. The best part of our trip was found tumbling down the mountain! Amazing colors, rock formations, even windows in the rocks dazzled our eyes and minds. I was nearly as impressed with the sights and colors we saw, as when I first saw the Wave in the Paria Wilderness Area. After nearly rolling our ankles on several occasion because we couldnt keep our eyes on the trail due to the beauty of the area, we were able to cross the backside of the mountain and reach the arch that I wrote about it an earlier posting. This time I had time to actually sit and enjoy the little arch.



Today was a day not soon to be forgotten for either me or Trevor! Here are some pictures.



1/2 way up the north face of Sandstone Mtn.

I have no idea how I took this picture, but it looks like Trevor is traveling through some time warp.

Overlooking LaVerkin and West Temple (ZNP)

We saw some CRAZY weathering of rocks!

Even the moss was more artistic in the RCDR

Some of the differences in color of the sandstone was similar to the Wave.

Just the icing on the cake of a perfect day