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 Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 12:50 PM
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Way Cool! Walter's Wiggles in Zion Natl park, Southern Utah, in my backyard. It is a strenuous hike up to Angel's Landing on the West Canyon Rim Trail. Probably not strenuous for you all who are used to elevation gain and loss in your treks. There are 22 "wiggles" in Walter's Wiggles switchback section. My Wiggler is warn out!! See the last picture of the folks draggin along? hehe
Well, Angel's Landing is THE destination here. However, I had other plans.
       
I got to the park around 10:30 and got on the trail at around 11:30.
I took the trail up up up to Scout's Landing and took a small break before heading up the west canyon trail to higher country and some overlooks. I really enjoyed the slickrock and being on top of the canyon. The huge mtns were still a thousand feet higher than me as they stood up everywhere in view. Very pretty.
I only ran into a couple hikers, as the majority of hikers was hitting Angel's Landing...
below. My elevation was now a little over 6,000 ft with the parking lot below on the cliffs at 4700' ele. So, standing 1300' above the canyon floor was way cool!! Things evened out and now, I get to....PLAY!! yesh!! c'mon, let's go!!
     
Cool crossbedding in the slickrock!
Hey! what's that up ahead? Someone left some free gear lying around. sa-weet!! dibs...
     
Hey, what's that! Looks like there is a cove around the bend. Cactus everywhere!! Really have to pay attention as I am still wearing open toed Sandals. I made it without getting stabbed this whole trip. Oh, I lied....I remember now one prick!! right in the piggy that stayed home, again...same toe. this one was from chain prickly pear. Not barbed. You can pull them right out of the meat and they don't burn or itch, either. friendly cactus? hehe
Here's the cove which turned into a cool respite from the heat....ahhh temps right at the ninety degree mark. Worth exploring some other time with better gear and some scrambling to find maybe a cool pond at the end? Or a hanging garden?
       
Late afternoon came and shadows began lengthening across the slickrock. Time to head down and head over to Oscar's for some great food, in Springdale!! ahhhh
Here is some from the way down mixed in with some from the way up....D'oh!!
          
I love Zion Park!! It's so....Zionesque..hehe I had a good time. Kept plenty of mustard on hand/sodium and mustard magic source... so no charlie horses later on in the evening. Although I think my right big toe was itching to pull all the way up my calf.
I got down to the trail head and saw that it was only 7 pm. I rode the shuttle to the end of the canyon, soaked my tired feet in the Mighty Virgin River and headed back thinking that the eateries in the park village would be vacated.....Wrong!! packed. Seems people wanted to sit there in the nice warm evening breeze and vegetate. Oscar's was packed. So was everywhere else. So, I drove to St. George and ate dinner at Chili's chain restaurant.
Here are two parting pictures of Zion. One, the shuttle; a necessary evil. I dislike the shuttle. It is made for the tourists and there is a recording going for the whole trip, nonstop. And after almost every freakin sentance...."Remember!! your safety is YOUR responsibility" hehe too funny. Some Eurotrash dude totally let one rip on the plastic seats, too. Major air biscuit.. I looked out the window and laughed....at least he is paying my taxes when he visits. hmmmmm Maybe Oscar's wasn't a good idea? heheee stop....
Ok,
this is a cute little bird that joined me for my soak on the river. A goldginch?
Also, I had to laugh as I left the "tram" filled with tourists like a scene out of MAD Magazine pulled away. they had a picture of the engandered Virgin River Horny Chub.
Who named that? OMG...
Anyone want to get the pictures of Walter's Wiggles from my secret perch? I will post it in the wici.
C'mon down. Hiking solo is fun, but I would love the company, too.
Cheers!
jerry |
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357 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 3:14 PM
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Walter's Wiggles...best name for a trail I have heard in a long time!
Really love the landscape around there. Thanks for the TR. |
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Newton, bc
Canada
282 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 9:01 PM
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Virgin River Horny Chub in LDS country no less
Great pictures, never seen the place before. Tempting place to go to. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 10:05 PM
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Thanks Springbow! I love that area. Funny thing is how it is different than just 40 miles in either direction of Zion. Colorado Plateau forested lands to open, flat desert.
Fun place to explore. Can't wait til my shoes get here. they're on order at a local climbing shop in St. George. I like to buy there to help their sales, if possible.
Too Funny, Trout!! Maybe it was the mood, but see the picture I posted? Looks like a woman in the stone face? hmmmm maybe too long out there in the heat? hehe
"The Lady of the mountain" Sandstone goddess. I hate it when they name all the rocks and features of a park. Like Sedona. Everyone in town asked me all week long:
"So, didja see "snoopy rock?" I saw a dirt devil in the area was that PIGPEN? hehe
I like to give my own names unofficially to many rocks and such. Hmmm the canyon was guarded by the monoliths Siskel and Ebert? Or call that arch, lunchbreak arch? hehe Sedona has names for every rock and outcrop. I should have paid attention.....there was a test later....Pink Jeep tour...
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Newton, bc
Canada
282 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 10:23 PM
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"Looks like a woman in the stone face?"
The one that got away from from Brigham Young rock. |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1692 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 07:00 AM
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Those wiggles are far out! Nice report |
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ALBANY, OR
USA
588 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 07:07 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by Rented Mule
[quote]
Great shots, the "wiggles" look like the gape edge of a giant clam!
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 Best grilled cheese maker ever
Whitehorse, YUKON
Canada
2148 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 07:15 AM
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Awesome area.
Thanks RM for the great pics. |
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| piika
Intermediate Member
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
735 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 08:33 AM
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| Very cool. Gotta get in there for more than just a "drive by" someday. |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 11:09 AM
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| Totally cool Gerry! I can't wait to get back there again, a lovely area! |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13466 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 12:59 PM
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Never been there; but sure has got me giving this a top priority for a visit. What a beautiful and intriquing place. So many scenes of depth and variety, ...
Your photos are spectacular Jerry, love them all the time.
I somehow warm up to these dry and desert scenes.
K |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 9:17 PM
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Thanks, Cali!! the Wiggles were named for the park's first administrator "Walter" Reusch who wanted a trail no matter what up out of the canyon onto the west rim and connect to the other end of the park. Every time I wuss out, I think about how those guys loaded wheelbarrow loads of cement up there. wow!! His daughter is still living in Springdale and has an art gallery, I heard. I will have to check it out, on a rainy day.
Hi, Alpalmer! Let's hope it doesn't wake up and get hungry. Even looking at the crossbedding of slickrock, I think I am walking on the skin or hide of some huge beast sleeping.
Thanks, Darren!
Hi, Piika! Come on down! I think you'd love hiking down to the Colorado River, in the Grand Canyon, too. Or, better yet? Right now through fall is perfect for the Bristlecone pine hike to Strawberry point. All above 9,000 ft. Quakies shimmering in the fall, wild turkeys on the trail, mule deer, and lots of those little wee tree toads.
Next time you guys come down, Flo-bro We will have to hit Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada followed by a "surprise" treat for you two later on at the Moapa Little Band O' Paiutes Reservation. If you've already seen Valley Of Fire, then We can hit a whirlwind tour of dirt road backcountry on lake Meade's east shore and some fun, rainbow slickrock
caches near the Devil's Throat. Bring your best macro abled camera with you. If not, any will do. But, macro and people will wonder where you were. Miniature world almost beyond imagination. 
You bet, Karvitk! Zion never seems to disappoint. It has something for everyone.
Whether you just ride the tram down the canyon, Or drive down in your own vehicle free from the noise and crowds from November 1st - Some time in March. Drive through the Mt. Carmel tunnel and pull out just about anyplace and start a hike up a beautiful drainage or hidden canyon. Zion gets snow and has four seasons. My home, just on the perimiter has only two seasons.....hot and mud!! hehe Come on down. There is so much info on the web that you could put together an amazing itinerary. Permits can be a bit tricky, though. Lottery and such. But, it can be done.
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2012 : 8:05 PM
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| That sure is a great place to hike and photograph...probably best at sunrise and sunset. |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
271 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2012 : 11:11 PM
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Hi Gerry !
Love that shot for the wiggles...brings back great memories. |
Edited by - lofty on 06/16/2012 11:12 PM |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2012 : 9:20 PM
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Very Cool Spot!
Been up that trail a couple of times. They sure built some kick ass trails back in the day.....Not sure if that trail was built during FDR's "New Deal" era but I sure wish the political atmosphere today resembled the level of sanity that existed then. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2012 : 10:41 PM
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| Sure miss the Southwest - sandal hiking season round here is soooo short... |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 6:44 PM
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OH!! You know it, Solo!! Around November, you can barely drive over the big bridge that sets at the turn into Zion Canyon with all the photographers. I once, got the "bright" Idea to climb up with my gym shorts, crocs, and camera to the high ledge on the right side to get a better shot than those lazy folks standing on the bridge shoulder to shoulder; tripods overlapping each other. I will get the best shot of all....he he... so I thought. I stumbled through tons of flapjack and beaver tail cactus, and found that the angle sucked.
Oh, well. so much for that.... then when I was heading down, I stepped on a hole and fell over. the hole was filled with a nest of yellow jackets. Holy sh** I ran and stumbled along the ridge with every bit of energy I could muster. I did NOT get stung. I don't know how. It was like the ride with yellow jackets chased me off and said "and stay out!!" hehe
Hi, Lofty!! Come on down for an overnighter, this fall? I haven't been camping or an overnighter for years!! Scared to go alone...hhee shhhh.....
I have two guest rooms now that my son has moved into his own place. Room for more!!
I know, Burndug! Not sure when it was built. But, the CCC camps where guys worked their tails off and had to build upon their arrival, a water catch basin from rain and snow to have water at all. Then, they made roads and trails all over the place. Shovel, pick and dynamite stick. When Flowing Brook comes back down this way, I am taking her and her husband to an old CCC camp 26 miles down a dirt road where we can see how they lived and worked with a base camp in the desert. Way cool!! Old concrete steps up the slickrock and a cave cemented over used as dynamite storage area. These days, people still work hard.
But, we aren't allowed to.... I used to do 400-700 hrs of OT every year. Now, I can barely get my hours and we are almost fully mechanized......boo....I would hate to have to really defend myself in my soft old ways, I used to be pretty scrappy and HARD work made it that way. there is an amazing sense of accomplishment when you chop your own wood instead of renting a machine or use a pick maddox and work into the night with a light to dig that ditch or footer for your new porch. today, I rent a trencher or get a bid....sad....
You'll have to make a desert pilgrimage, TU! Become a desert rat getting a painful sunburn with salty sand clogging the pores. Winter hiking down here is pretty tolerable.
The uniform of the day is usually, sandals, shorts, and a hoodie...he he |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
271 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 7:14 PM
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Gerry !
don't forget causing grievous injuries to your camera's. Just had my nice little camera in for repair...guy told me no...it wasn't just condensation that caused the problem... there was alot of sand and water damage in the camera....and how did I do it.... I went and kept silent... no need to tell him I took that pricy little non waterproof camera swimming in sand filled canyons.....and took pictures while swimming....oh no... some things are better unsaid. The last straw was taking pictures with snowy gloves.... that's when the lens got the water damage...I did see some water inside the pelican case after. Own a waterproof camera now :) |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 9:52 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
You'll have to make a desert pilgrimage, TU! Become a desert rat getting a painful sunburn with salty sand clogging the pores. Winter hiking down here is pretty tolerable.
The uniform of the day is usually, sandals, shorts, and a hoodie...he he
Chillin' in da desert - we be down wit dat :)
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5466 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 10:55 PM
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Gorgeous! I love Zion too and you're making me want to return there.
quote:
And after almost every freakin sentance...."Remember!! your safety is YOUR responsibility"
Well you know, someone might otherwise have forgotten and thought it was someone else's. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 7:01 PM
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You're right, Lofty! I have gone through several cameras. I won't spend over 400 dollars for a camera because of that factor. the blowing winds and sands. I have come home and had sand in my ears, even on my eyelids. It can get so fine that it is like dust. I sweat and the sand will form a crust. Ahhh desert rat!! hehe Good luck with your camera.
I was standing in the Virgin River once and my camera slipped out of my hands. I reacted by trying to grab it. As it was falling, I slapped it to the side and it hit the sand. the lens had some grinding noises as it would not open properly. the wings on the sides of the lenses are the first to bind up with sand. Usually, with all the hiking I do, a camera only lasts two seasons. I'm trying harder to not abuse them. Maybe waterproof cell phones, too? I wish!!
Ooooh. I love that shot, Tu! Almost looks like White Sands, New Mexico. But, for the moisture in the sand, I would say not? So, where is this? I love it!!
Hi, WS! I was thinking about some of you CT'ers on the way up to Angel's Landing and YOUR pictures were great!! I think there should be a ceremonial badge or patch given when one reaches the summit. Come on back down. I have a whole new area that I have explored. An overnighter.
Also, no need to double up at my house since I now have two guest rooms. Nick has room at his house, too. I ran out of cheesies!! hehe |
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Wiggle! Wiggle! Wiggle! Zion
