Thu 2 May 2013

On the way out of Capitol reef,
needed to take some pictures of the gooseneck.

Again, beyond any belief, the power of a
'small' water flow, carving 1000 ft deep
in the rocks.

And then out of the park, south on HWY 12.
What a difference.
Over a peak of 9600 ft. In the snow again.
Amazing, the sprinkles on some places where
making snow. So cold at that altitude, and then
an hour later, a desert heat again.

But then, between Boulder and Escalente.
An amazing 30 miles.
The road itself was a project of president
Roosevelt. The views amazing.

And the top of the bill. The Hole-In-The-Rock
road. Never expected that I would see that, but
thanks to the Mormons, which needed 3 months,
to make the road, it took me a few hours
from Escalante to the hole.
And still I can not belief how they did this
more than 100 years ago.
And especially the hole in the rock.

An unbelievable landscape to pass by horse wagon. And then this
passage, small and so steep, that just walking down is absolutely
impossible.

And then the real surprise, an impressive collection of  beer,
And a waitress how know the beers.


The 'white label' and 'hop rising' are really outstanding.
Sorry that time is that limited, could not try all of them.

www.drinkwasatch.com
Wasatch & Squatters Beers

Wed 1 May 2013

On, to the next park: Capitol reef

Camped in Fruita.
A midst the rocks, an amazing valley,
cultivated by the Mormons, and now plenty
of orchards: apples, peers, cherries....

A nice hike was from Fruita, the campground, an old town,
up the hill, 1000 ft,, passing a canyon, to the other side,
now hwy 24. Where there was an old 1 room school,
All grades from 6 to 18 years in one room.
Education was important for the small community.
And walking 2 miles, over a 1000 ft cliff is probably
less common nowadays to walk to school.

Tue 30 Apr 2013


Most beautiful 5 miles

Leaving Moab, taking HWY 70, I did not
expect anything for the day.

But what a surprise when I stopped at the
rather unknown state park, with the name Goblin.
A real surreal landscape, seems directly from
a comic book. An endless scattering of small
statue like sandstone boulders on a pedestal.
You just have to see it and walk thru the
valleys. Let your imagination go, and you
start 'recognizing' different silhouettes.

more

But then, the big surprise. A 5 mile hike
thru a very, very small canyon.
The name itself sounds so interesting:
Little wild horse canyon.

The only moment I saw another person, I had
to go back several minutes, so that we could
pass each other.

And so many miles more

After this, I want to start another series.
The most beautiful mile ever.
And this canyon will be high on the list.
I know, short memory, Antelope Canyon was
less than one mile.
Little wild horse canyon, counts for five miles.

Mon 29 Apr 2013

Day of the overlooks.

Still in Moan,. Did the scenic loop following
the Colorado River, back thru Castle Valley,
over the La Sal Mountains.
Then up to Dead Horse State Park,

and Canyon lands, Island in the Sky.
Down the steep Shafer Trail, back to Moab.
Still a lot of steep. sharp curves to go for
little Duvelke....

More than a 1000 ft lower, and still great overlook.

By the way, I need help. My camera
does not like to much sand. And it starts
sometimes to refuse to cooperate. The help
is not the sponsoring, but the time to find
a good type (small, handy, sand resistant)
but with a great wide angle and great zoom.
I have now the Panasonic Lumix, 25 mm wide angle
and 16 x zoom.
Email or comment with suggestions. Thanks

Sun Apr 28 2013

Finally in Moab (... Brewery).

Moab, close to Arches Nat. Park. Here a double arch
for the price of one.

Past another eccentric place where a guy build
a 5000 sqt ft house in to rock. 

And currently
a museum of very nice useless things.

Easy Sunday. Just went (again) to Arches National
park. Similar experience as before. Coming from
colder areas, the sun and the heat slams you in
the face. No intentions, for even a one mile hike.
Just was the regular tourist to see the arches from
close' to the parking spot.  And enjoyed the sunset, at
the 'windows'.

The brewery, still have the Scorpion. From many
years ago, I remember this as the best beer,
Now, same name, but totally different. Way more
hopy, and even porter aftertaste.
The new winner is 'Dead Horse Ale'.

Sat Apr 27 2013

This must be the Colorado River, I presume.

And the Green river merging the milky like water
with the darker Colorado Mud.


Again  a series of canyons.
But at the end (?), still quite unexpected, you
see the 300 feet drop the Colorado River.
Yes, you see Canyons, rocks, mountains, everywhere.
But a sudden vertical drop of 300 feet is still
an incredible view. Only difficult to capture the 3D
drop in a picture.

And no there are no fences.
You have to use all four. 2 legs, 2 hands.
And also your butt sometimes to slide down.
But especially your eyes and your brains.
Watch, see what is possible, and stop or
backtrack if it is to much.

Seen the picture of the overhang. If you stand
on the edge for a picture....

And on the way, From the top, you can see the path,
and this goes straight up to the other side of the Canyon.

Fri Apr 26 2013

Found the needle (in the haystack)

Cowboys roamed this place. Does this not look like
a perfect place to stay a couple of months ?

One Canyon in, down to the valley, and then up again
to the next one. Some moments, it looks like real
rock climbing. But reading the mountain helps so
much to make it easy or difficult. But climbing
300 feet, you feel this.

And here we go. Into the field of the Needles, in the far,
far distance.

But first a few canyons down and up again.

Also this is the way, between two huge rocks.
Amazing, but this goes on for a quarter mile.
Just wide enough for me. 

And sorry, the hundred other pictures of this day
are only one request ;-)