Red Rock

CANYONEERING REPORTAGE FROM ZION AND THE SUBWAY

Spent a good part of last weekend running a canyon through Zion National Park. If you've never been, it should make the bucket list!

Nate, the leader of the pack.

We made it a quick trip, down and back in 24 hours, but there was no shortage of fun. The hike in to the Left Fork of North Creek (Das Boot) is pretty easy and unbelievably beautiful. We caught the scenic portion of the trail right as the sun was cresting over the hill. First light was perfect, but unfortunately I don't have any images from that portion of the trip (more on that later).

Heidi and Blake taking the icy plunge.

Scott on rappel.

When we arrived at the first rappel, we quickly changed into wetsuits and harnesses to better manage the cold canyon. After the icy baptism, we spent the better part of the day navigating down climbs, cliff jumping, and rappelling through scenery from another world. It's hard to describe these places and experiences, and crazier to think that less than 1% of Utah's population will get a chance to do what we did over the weekend.

The whole group in Das Boot. Front to Back: Heidi, Scott, Blake, Rich and Nate.

Moving on. Every bit of sunshine was heartily welcomed as our feet were frozen stumps lacking any and all dexterity. When swimming, it was hard to put your hands in the water because of the low temperatures. I was recently in San Diego and swam off the beach nearly every day without a wetsuit and that was cold, but this was freezing!

Rich, Scott and Blake above the Subway.

Now for the bad news. I had a dry bag fail on me and my camera and lens took a bath. Luckily, I had my point-and-shoot with me in a waterproof housing so I still salvaged some images from the trip. Insurance will take care of the rest.

Heidi, Scott, Blake and Rich in the Subway.

The whole trip was incredible with great people! I think I'll be doing this whole trip again in the not too distant future.

The whole gang! Left to Right: Nate, Rich (front), Blake, Scott and Heidi.

ADVENTURE REPORTAGE FROM THE SLOT CANYONS OF ESCALANTE

ESCALANTE

The view from our campsite at Wide Hollow Reservoir.

"Really? Three miles from home?" was all I could think as the truck choked to a stop. I would later realize it was all thanks to the 25 gallons of unleaded gas I forced into it's diesel-only tank. Once the initial anger had subsided, and as I waited for the tow truck, I was able to look back on a great weekend, thankful there were so many adventures to be had so close to where I had chosen to call home. I'm a Utah transplant, having left my native Texas for higher elevation more than fourteen years ago. Checking Escalante off the Must-See list was pointless though, because after my last trip South, I added it back.

Southern Utah Fall color.

The trip roster consisted of me, my lovely wife Steph, her sister Les, and Les's husband Jordan. We were an excited bunch, ready for sunshine and red dirt in our shoes. So we loaded up the aforementioned truck Friday afternoon and raced South to set up camp and beat the fading light. After driving our tent stakes halfway into the rocky, RV-ready, campsite soil (if you could even call it soil) we cut out of camp for dinner at the local diner. We were greeted by a pushy waiter that messed up our drink orders and miraculously talked each of us out of our preferred menu item. Feeling suckered into the more-expensive brisket, I am ashamed to say I left a good tip and ultimately quite satisfied with my "choice." We spent some great time talking over dinner then headed back to camp for an evening fire and some more laughs.

Last light over Wide Hollow Reservoir.

Finally retiring for the evening around ten, having been coaxed out of the brisk evening air by a warm tent (thank you Heater Buddy), we spent another hour or two laughing inside the glowing blue of our tent. We nodded off one by one, and like most camping trips, unintentionally took turns as night watch. Sleep invaders would include the cold, the sound of snoring, and a lifeless appendage needing to be roused back to circulation. But despite all of that, I always manage to awake feeling refreshed and ready for the days activities. In our case, we had a lot of them!

Glowing tent and our fire.

SLOT CANYONS

In the morning we ate, packed, dressed, and set out on the thirty-plus miles of dirt road to our first destination…the slot canyons. The drive was slow-going in parts, the road being so washboarded I thought the screws were rattling out of the truck's frame. My anxiousness to get off the road and get hiking was fueled further by stories from the prior year's trip of Les and Jordan getting two flat tires on this same stretch of road. We finally arrived at a half-full, dirt parking lot in the middle of nowhere with all four tires and our spare in tact. Other than the ten-second timer for a group picture, we spent no time unloading and setting off down the trail. 

For being so close in proximity (entrances and exits within a few hundred yards of each other) you couldn't find two more different slot canyons. Peekaboo Canyon is filled with arches and bowls, beautiful curves and wedged boulders. It requires a fair amount of acrobatics, both climbing and crawling, all on sandy surfaces. When we arrived at the canyon, we had to wait as other groups slowly navigated the first section of archways. Luckily, once we started, the group on our tail was quite slow allowing us ample time for pictures. Finally pushing out into a beautiful wash, we walked the short distance over to Spooky Canyon passing several hikers on the opposite rotation. It's important to note that the canyons are not one way, this makes for some up close and personal moments with complete strangers.

Spooky Canyon is snug; that's the best way to put it. The beginning (or the end depending on your direction) has beautiful sandstone walls that stretch high and offer ample shade. We took advantage of one of the shady outcroppings to pause for lunch. Seating was limited so I ended up on the cool sand of the canyon floor. I've spent a week on the beach every summer of my life, but I have never felt sand this smooth. It was silky and soft, and left my hands dry and stained a light sandstone orange. I loved it!

Steph on the entrance to Peekaboo.

Navigating the confines of Spooky.

From there, the remaining sections are filled with chokstones, narrow confines and uncomfortable encounters with people heading the other direction. Overall, the slot canyons were gorgeous but short-lived. If you're traveling from out of state I would add Devil's Garden and Bryce Canyon to the agenda.

Spooky Canyon is snug; that's the best way to put it. The beginning (or the end depending on your direction) has beautiful sandstone walls that stretch high and offer ample shade. We took advantage of one of the shady outcroppings to pause for lunch. Seating was limited so I ended up on the cool sand of the canyon floor. I've spent a week on the beach every summer of my life, but I have never felt sand this smooth. It was silky and soft, and left my hands dry and stained a light sandstone orange. I loved it!

Steph at Devil's Garden

From there, the remaining sections are filled with chokstones, narrow confines and uncomfortable encounters with people heading the other direction. Overall, the slot canyons were gorgeous but short-lived. If you're traveling from out of state I would add Devil's Garden and Bryce Canyon to the agenda.