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 Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 12:00 PM
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It was a hot day as I headed down to the River for a walk and to cool off.
I parked at a pullout on the interstate, hopped the cattlemen's fence, and walked along the rolling hills to where I had to cross Black Rock Gulch Wash and met the river at an impressive overlook. From this perch, I sat awhile taking in the view. This was going to be a great day! Exploring the river for a few miles upstream is something I have wanted to do for a long time.
       
Past all kinds of interesting prickly cactus plants, some petrified wood, I headed along the bottom of the mountain and stopped in an alcove, one of many that I scrambled up to look for old ancient Native American Indian presence. Nothing was found. Not even a petroglyph.
Then, as I was only a mile into my hike, I took a sip from my Camelbak to wet my lips as I plotted where to walk to next when I heard that OMG gurgling sound....empty!! I had a peach for a snack and that was all. Game over. How did this happen. I headed back to my car which was very hot and had broken my rules of comfort by not having water at the car for every end of every hike. I slacked off. So, I headed for home. I did not check my camelbak at the actual start of my hike to see if it was chock full. It couldn't have been.
I filled it up with 3 litres of ice water at home hours ago. But, I also didn't carry any other source of water or my water filter, either. Lesson learnt. I now have made sure I carry a litre of bottled water in addition to all the water I will need and made sure I stuck to my list of items I have for each hike. I even have a cooler that I fill with ice and on the ride home, I put some ice in a gallon bag and put it on the floor board and run my feet over it to cool them down on the ride home...hehe
So, day two....
Say hello to my little friend...hehe What an unusual "grouping" of cactus...h'heeee
 
I spent some time meandering along the gentle sloping bajada taking in the scenery as I gently walked along the base of the mountains that were beginning to gorge up and close me in as the river became choked to the confines of the canyon walls. I got to a place where I was ledged out and backtracked down to the water.
    
I have had varied experiences with this unpredictable little violent river that looks so lazy and harmless. It is extremely silty and drops out of the Grand Staircase from its roots high above Zion at 10,000ft elevation, dropping into the famous Narrows of Zion and through the lava fields and sandstone valleys til it finally drains into the Overton Arm of Lake Meade in Nevada. Along the way, it gathers tons and tons of silt and debris.
I wasn't sure if I was going to even be able to walk in it. There was so much silt that I have in the past, become entangled in deep quicksand that sucked my legs in and locked them in place. I have lost a sneaker in such a spot. So, gingerly, I stepped out with my sneakers tied so tight that damn this river is not going to depants me or take another shoe hehe... Hey, the river is not sinking. I can walk right along the sandy bottom with ease.
Wow!!! Way cool!! But, not cool in temperature. I had hoped for a nice cooling effect of the river only to find it as warm as bath water. Actually hot. Unreal. Instead of having a swamp cooler effect, I had hot misty humidity in my face the whole way.
But, soon, I began to settle in and really enjoy my trek. No one was out here.
     
After going for a little float in a deeper part, I really settled in to the afternoon. The river is only ankle deep to knee deep at most. I found my sneakers were being burdened by all the sand I was collecting, so I took them off and went in my new toed socks Injinji which I wore for the rest of the trip.
Thoughts of Round River and Aldo Leopold came into my mind as I was watching the river show me what it had around each bend.
Ahhh....only in the desert can you find a freakin tumbleweed right smack in the river...hehe
Oh, my camelbak never did leak. Don't know what happened yesterday; a mystery. I didn't buy any jewelry from a native lady at the gas station and she looked at me with a moon eye and my wife joked and said she put a curse on me. mebbe.....I will have to buy something next month when I go back down that way....sheesh...
The river was so peaceful. Just me walking along and scrambling up the alcoves looking for any native ancient presence camps. But, nothing. Even the caves had nothing in them and when I began to dig with my hands, I stirred up a lot of mouse turds from eons ago. I bailed pulling my tee shirt over my mouth as the smell of shit filled my lungs. Just what I need. Huntavirus being stirred up in the air. woof!!
If I would find anything, I leave it alone. I was in a cool cave and with all the sand that had blown in, I thought I would sift down with my hands to the cave floor and see if there was anything that would sift out at me. Mouse turds were my reward. Lesson Learnt again...hehe.
     
As I neared the Interstate bridge over the river, I noticed this golf ball! Too funny.
Bad lie, dude. bummer. is there a quicksand wedge in your bag? h'heee
I was about to put my shoes back on as I got out of the river and saw this rough stuff drying on the bank. No way!! It was way fun!! It was dried mud with soft sand underneath it. It felt like I was walking on potato chips. Although I never have actually walked on potato chips, I bet this is what it feels like. Crunchy and massaged my toes and feet with every step. ahhhhhh...... 
The sun was setting and I was very satisfied in my outing. It was getting to that time of the day when I love to sit and watch the colors play on the rocks. Some came out great; others not so. I sat and reflected on the day. How I enjoyed my walk and learned even more about the desert, today.
    
Across the freeway is another great hike up to Shivwits Arch named after the Little Band O' Paiute tribe/Shivwits Native American Indians. Some say that the arch has a slumped over Indian riding a horse on top of the arch. Others say a beautiful Indian Maiden. hmmmm
I just see.......rocks....heheh I have been up there and it will be one of the hikes in my little hiking guide of the Gorge. It goes up to the top and along the rim for miles.
Do you see a maiden? is she hot? hehe
Good night from the Mojave (Mo-Jive) cheers! jerry
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
251 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 12:13 PM
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What river is that? Or did I just miss it somewhere in your post?
Brilliant shots, what glorious terrain. The sedimentary geology there is amazing, do you encounter fossil beds in your journeys? Our coastal granite mountains are monstrous and spectacular but I really like the desert river gorge ecology. Ancient landscape and incredibly colourful.
The dug up mouse turds was nice touch! yeah, keep away from that Hanta virus. Heard two people succumbed to that infection at Yosemite.
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Edited by - xj6response on 08/17/2012 3:59 PM |
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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
13467 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 12:50 PM
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JERRY
Excellent report as always. Good idea to have emergency water, and having icy is a stellar idea.
K |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 1:28 PM
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Xj6, good catch!  That would be the mighty Virgin River which flows through the Virgin River Gorge in Northwestern Arizona. thanks! We only have one river for miles and miles so we all locally just call it "the river" There are lots of fossils in the area. We have an elementary school named Fossil Ridge after all of the fossils. (kids say its for the old tenure that keeps teaching hehe) What is it like trying to walk up slabs of granite? Is it slippy? Slickrock/sandstone is very grippy. You can walk straight up some very steep slopes with great ease. But, let a storm pass and you will soon find out why its called slickrock. Wet, and it is horrible. Dry, and you can traverse it and stick like glue.
Hi, karvitk! You should see what I usually bring to "comfort" me after the hike.
I usually have a cooler filled with choices of beverages alcoholic or non depending on if there are others to socialize at the trailhead after the hike. I sometimes hand out water and drinks to others at random. I have a cool gel eye mask that I keep in the cooler and put it on before I drive home. I should provide a picture. hehe I usually go Hollywood when I am done hiking. I put a gallon bag filled with ice on my floorboard, take off my shoes and drive home keeping my feet nice and cool after a hike. Hope I don't get stopped. No shoes driving.
But, I have never had a reason to backup my Camelbak though I have always thought it could leak. I have had the end cap rip off and have half of the water leak out the hose. I looked all over for the little yellow plug but couldn't find it. I now carry a spare plug/switch in my pack. Last time I had to tie a knot in the hose and make the rest of the hike with only half a pack.
So, now I will not rely solely on my Camelbak bladder for water. I now carry a long, skinny bottle of water 1 litre that slides down my pack along the side. More weight for the journey with my bad back, but I cannot rely anymore with only a plastic bladder hoping it won't leak along the way. Also, I will never not put my filter in my pack. Never know.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
606 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 2:23 PM
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Very cool. I miss this kind of scenery. I always thought ideal lifestyle was Canada in summer, south-west US in winter.
Must have been super hot though.
Great photos! |
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
251 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 4:04 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by zeljkok
Very cool. I miss this kind of scenery. I always thought ideal lifestyle was Canada in summer, south-west US in winter.
Could not have said it better myself. Southwestern Canada, from the Rockies to the Coast, in summer. Southwestern USA in winter. Non stop outdoor adventures  |
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 7:55 PM
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| Cool trip. Some of the scenery is reminiscent of Capital Reef Park. |
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Powell River, bc
Canada
2539 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2012 : 8:40 PM
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Loved this TR,your's are always so interesting and different Jerry :)
That little "grouping" of cactus looks painful lol ;) |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7098 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 08:46 AM
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Another awesome report RM, great job! Your reports are always a good read.
Like walking around after the bull left the china shop.
By chance did you see Harrison Ford during your hike?
(Raiders of the Lost Ark) |
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
251 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 09:01 AM
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quote:
[i]
By chance did you see Harrison Ford during your hike?
(Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Yup ... RM, that is a seriously cool hiking hat. I think you should start thread on 'cool headgear'. Here's a pic of my lid, having ventured all over the western USA and SW Canada. Got this in SoCal for hiking the Sierra's, now it's my faithful companion:
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Edited by - xj6response on 08/18/2012 09:01 AM |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 6:34 PM
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I have the same feeling, Z-dog! I want to be here for the winter and beautiful Canada for summer. ahhhhh Come on down, you guys for winter some time when it is really super cold and I will meet you for a grand day hike in Valley of Fire. Light jacket weather at worst.
Hi, Aces! Had to buy the hat from a cute clerk at Pendleton wool. She took me right to it and said I looked great in it....suckah!! hehe 
Right on, Xj6! They do become way cool as they get year bitten and well worn. Cool hat!! I love it!!
You're right, Solo! Those yellowish dumplin' looking rock formations with sheets of solid black desert varnish does in fact, remind me of Capitol Reef. I like Cathedral Valley back country drive. Amazing, stark, lonely place. High desert wonderland.
Hi No-Q I am jealous of your multi day trek. Way cool. I came upon this fellow and just lost it. I laughed like a hyena! I then, wanted to get just the right angle for the shot. I set it up, ran toward it, slid in and wrapped my arm around it and made sure my legs didn't get stabbed by the little side cars....hehe
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 6:48 PM
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| I really enjoyed the geology as always. Nice cacti formation... :P |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 5:23 PM
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| Thanks, JD! The desert is always full of surprises. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 11:58 PM
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| Why are your feet so black? |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 06:42 AM
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| Mouse turds! Oh that's funny. Thanks for the TR! |
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A walk on the river
