Canyonlands: Gooseberry Trail; Shafer Canyon Road; plus Dead Horse Point

Carly and I hiked Gooseberry Trail in Canyonlands National Park during late July. The trail leading away from the trailhead parking lot quickly begins a steep descent down the side of a 1000+ foot canyon wall. There is mild exposure along the way, but nothing horrifying; and numerous switchbacks help ease the pain on the quads. At the base of the canyon headwall, the trail meanders another mile to the rim of a second tier of canyon. Carly and I re-energized next to a 100 foot drop and then made our way back towards the initial headwall. The ascent back up the canyon was grueling for me due to the heat, resulting in numerous rest-stops at every rock or tree that provided shade. However, another deadly menace lurked beneath our feet as we approached the top of the canyon. I stepped over a rock, and Carly was about to do the same, but then paused and asked me if I heard a rattle. I didn't hear it, but she insisted it was there. Carly then peered under the rock I had just stepped over and spotted a juvenile rattlesnake. We took some pictures of the rattlesnake, and then pondered how lucky we were not to be struck as we finished off the hike.

Next, after a brief stop at Mesa Arch, we descended down Shafer Canyon Road, which hugs the side of the canyon, thousands of feet above the base. I let Carly have the honors of driving this road that became progressively more treacherous with each passing mile. We made it, and my truck survived the test. Then, later in the evening, after dinner, Carly and I drove out to Dead Horse Point, watching a setting sun cast long shadows across the expansive canyons below our feet. It was a great way to end a long day of adventure.

Arches National Park; Fisher Towers

Carly and I drove into Arches National Park near Moab on July 25th, and after taking a few touristy pictures at "Park Avenue" and "Balanced Rock," we went straight for "Delicate Arch." The slog up to the arch wasn't too bad, mainly because cloud cover blocked the blistering sun. Upon arrival at the arch, we decided to delicately traverse the base of the arch, which was somewhat exposed, and then got some unique photography from a side that most tourists don't experience. We eventually ended up on a buttress that looks down upon the arch...the same view that is displayed on the Utah license plate.

After spending an hour at "Delicate Arch," we hiked back down to the trailhead, briefly taking a detour to view petroglyphs, and then driving on to "Sand Dune Arch" and "Broken Arch." They were nice arches, but nothing as dramatic as "Delicate Arch." We then decided to refuel in Moab, and then head out to Fisher Towers. These mudstone towers are a rock climbing mecca, but also offer a trail that skirts around their base. We hiked the trail for 2+ miles to an overlook that provided a great view of the surrounding canyon lands and massive towers. After a big day of desert hiking we then went back to Moab for well deserved beer (and steak, for me).

Ruby Mountains - The Great Salt Lake - Park City, Utah

I drove from Eureka, CA to Elko, NV on August 23rd, and then explored the Ruby Mountains near Elko on the 24th. This mountain range was heavily glaciated in the not so distant past, evident by the broad 12 mile long U-shaped valley that I drove, as well as the cirques hanging beneath the peaks and ridges that lined both sides of the valley. This area seems loaded with great trails, some that I hope to explore in the future.

After the Ruby Mountains, I drove east into Utah, and crossed the Bonneville Salt Flats. A flat expanse of white surrounded both sides of I-80 for tens of miles leading to distant desert mountains. After exiting the flats, I soon arrived at the Great Salt Lake, another geological feature that I have only seen from an airplane. I hung out on the rocky shoreline that protects a boat dock at Great Salt Lake State Park, making sure to not get too close to the giant spiders that were taking refuge within every gap between the rocks. 

After staring across the salt lake and distant mountains for an hour or two, I drove over to the Salt Lake City Airport and picked up Carly Kovacik. We then made a quick drive over the Wasatch Mountains and had dinner in Park City, Utah. There is so much wealth in that town! It was fun...the beer and food was good, and I enjoyed strolling through downtown looking for magnets to add to my refrigerator collection. After our evening in Park City, Carly and I then drove four hours to Moab, Utah.

Brokeoff Mountain-Lassen Volcanic National Park

Kristin and I hiked Brokeoff Mountain in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Ongoing drought has decimated the early summer snowpack that I experienced last year when I hiked the mountain. But that was fine, it gave me a different perspective during my second ascent. We made it up and down the mountain in four hours...a nice quick hike on a brilliantly sunny Northern California day. After the hike, we made a stop at a boiling pool of mud at West Sulphur Creek--evidence of the volcanics that are still present beneath the surface. Check out the video at the bottom of the post.

Northern Lost Coast

Quick afternoon trip to the northern Lost Coast southwest of Ferndale, CA.