Fall Hiking, Part II – Benign Canyon

Fall hiking is best suited for quick canyon jaunts – especially in our my case (I like to snap lots of photos). So, after getting back much earlier than anticipated from Angel Slot – we chowed down with nothing but nature and friends at our side.

Oh, we also drank lots… you may think that bag is filled with chips…. but you’d be mistaken!

It was filled with chips! And now… empty beer cans.

Well, anyway… with early snacking, we did not finish the cobbler we planned on for dessert (s’mores were more desirable in their chocolate-y goodness and smaller portions).

No fear! That’s why there’s always tomorrow… BREAKFAST!

Fall Hiking – Dirty Devil, Angel Slot Canyon: Take Two

October – a great time for hiking the Dirty Devil, as we established last year in at Angel Cove and Angel Slot. Well, start the day off first with some breakfast.

Pack your things and off you go!

As I mentioned before, Angel Slot has got to be one of my favorite canyoneering routes so far. It’s short, sweet, fun and exciting. You’re off in the middle of nowhere, about eight miles on a dirt road and smack-dab in the middle of insane canyons. Stick to the roads if you are driving at night as you could be wandering off a cliff at anytime!

Zion National Park Kicks My Das Boot into Subway

Almost two months ago, I dislocated yet another joint at Zion National Park.

Okay, let me start from the beginning…

It goes like this: last minute lottery permit; decide on Thursday evening to leave Friday after work; set out with friends also willing to be spontaneous; pack up stuff for a couple of technical hikes plus some; get ready for heat and adventure.

Zac grabbed a last minute permit for us to do Das Boot and the famous Subway canyon. Psychedddd – I asked Kent to come since we had a last minute spot. Zac, Lisa, Pat, Kent and myself.

Dirty Devil Canyoneering, Part II – Angel Slot Canyon

This is probably one of my favorite hikes so far – Angel Slot Canyon near the Dirty Devil area. Fairly easy (but may first be intimidating) rappels that are juicy beefy! True slot canyon squeezes that require some technical maneuvering… Oh and hey, it’s not too long! It’s another 3-4 hour, or in our case… 5-6 hour hike that’s less than 3-4 miles round trip.

Dirty Devil Canyoneering, Part I – Angel Cove

Fall approaches with rain and cool weather. We found one last hurrah at Dirty Devil – near Hanksville, Utah (and the Robber’s Roost and North Wash canyoneering area).

Our first canyon – Angel Cove! The site is south of Hanksville, off some dirt paths. GPS is greatly helpful out here where dirt roads are king. There are only a few signs and people are fairly scarce in these neck of the… dessert. Here’s a handy route for reference: trimbleoutdoors.com.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part V: Kayaking the Moab Daily

What better way to end a trip then a relaxing day down the river?

Labor Day Monday, we rented a couple of duckies, inflatable kayaks, and went with Red River Adventures down the Moab Daily.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part IV-2: Arches National Park, Delicate Arch

After a quick dip in the river and setting up our camp site before it got too dark, we went back to Arches National Park to hike Delicate Arch during the golden hour.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part IV-1: Arches National Park Quicky

Booking a kayaking venture on the day of during Labor Day weekend? Utter fail. Backup plan? Arches National Park!

Post-Canyonlands Needles hike, we were much too tired and hurt to complete the any sort of long hike at Arches. But, we fared pretty well through the short hikes to sight-see most of the highlights through the park.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part III: Canyonlands Needles Hike (Chesler Park / Joint Trail Loop)

Woken up by the bright burning sun – we chowed down on some quick breakfast and headed into Canyonlands – Needles section before it was even 8.30am. Yes, that’s earlier than when I leave for work…

Elephant Hill Trailhead – Gateway to Chesler Park, Joint Trail, Druid Arch, Elephant Canyon. That’s us!

Moab – Touristy Version, Part II: Newspaper Rock

Petroglyphs! So awesome.

Another first for me – Native American petroglyphs! Never before (can I recall) had I seen any petroglyphs in person. Newspaper Rock is a great place to get punched with a large display of historic rock art (writing?).

Visit Newspaper Rock on your way to the Needles section of Canyonlands or on your way out and back to Moab. It’s approximately 25 miles north of Monticello, Utah and 50 miles south of Moab, Utah. It’s a quick stop complete with a restroom facility for that productive and educational kind of rest stop. Oh, did I mention it’s free?

Two thousand years old! And it still looks clear as day. Someone translate for me!