Cathie and I headed out on Saturday for our meet up with Hansjorg and Silke in Bluff. With an overnight stop along the way, we arrived in Bluff in the early afternoon. As we drove over the San Juan River, I looked down and noticed our loaned out 4-Runner in the campground below. So we pulled in and met up with our friend in the same spot that we met Hansjorg two plus years ago. After getting an update on their first week on the road, we headed into the small town for lunch, before checking into our rooms at The Desert Rose.
With this being a whirlwind tour of the southwest, we decided to get cracking, heading up the Moki Dugway. After making it safely to the top we drove out to Muley Point for the spectacular view over looking the San Juan River 2300 feet below. Quite a sight!
HANSJORG LOOKING DOWN
We then headed back to town for happy hour on the porch and later dinner at one of the few (two) local establishments.
No trip to this part of Utah would be complete without a short hike to House on Fire. I think this is our 3rd or 4th trip to view this marvel, and I wouldn't hesitate to return again. It's something to see. An added benefit on this trip was that we were the only ones at the ruin.
HOUSE ON FIRE
We next made a stop at Bridges National Monument opting for the scenic drive around the park and the short (.5 mile) walk to Owachome Bridge. You can walk under the bridge, but walking on the top is not allowed. Of course if it was, you wouldn't find me out there.
BELOW OWACHOME BRIDGE
From Bridges we headed towards Capitol Reef, with a stop for lunch overlooking the Colorado River where it empties into Lake Powell. Last time we were here was after a raft trip down the Colorado and the lake was nowhere to be seen due to an extended drought.
By the time we arrived in Capitol Reef it was pretty late in the day so we headed for Austins Chuckwagon Motel, our home for the next two nights. First things first. Happy Hour.
Next day we spent the better part of the day driving the Burr Trail, a scenic drive of about 75 miles. Starting in the small town of Boulder, it passes through some pretty desolate country with beautiful views. At one point the road drops down what amounts to a cliff to the valley below.
THE BURR TRAIL
After a day of exploring Capitol Reef, we headed out the following morning along Utah's Hwy 12. This is one of the most scenic roads in the country, passing through Grand Staircase-Escalante on the way to Bryce Canyon. We stopped for a hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, a 6 mile round trip hike along, what else but Calf Creek. Walking between mineral-streaked cliffs of Navajo Sandstone in a we passed beaver ponds and rock art sites en route to the 126-foot-high Lower Calf Creek Falls. With water flowing year round, the valley floor is carpeted with greenery.
SILKE AND HANSJORG SIGNING THE TRAIL REGISTER
THE FALLS COME INTO VIEW
LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS
With the temperature climbing into the high eighties, the falls were a welcome sight. Only problem is, that the water is really cold, hovering around 50 dregrees. After taking my boots off, I waded in to cool my feet. In less than a minute my feet were numb. Just perfect for Hansjorg to take a dip.
YES, HE WENT ALL THE WAY IN
UNDER THE EAVES
By the time we got back to the trail head, the temperature was hovering close to 100 degrees, so we headed to Tropic for our next overnight stop. The next morning we drove the short distance to Bryce Canyon and took a short 3 mile hike into the canyon. We managed to complete a loop into the canyon before it got too hot. Lots of people in Bryce, to the point that portions of the trail were crowded. It seemed that most of the visitors were from foreign counties, with Germany up near the top.
We then headed to Zion, where we would spend the next three nights.
We then headed to Zion, where we would spend the next three nights.
A STROLL IN BRYCE
With so many people starting their vacations, finding lodging in places like Bryce and Zion can be a problem. In Zion we ended up at two different B and B's for our 3 nights. The first night was spent at Under the Eaves, a really nice old house with rooms inside and two rooms in an old converted building that was used for park employees in the 30's. The next two nights were spent at The Red Rock Inn. We couldn't have asked for nicer accommodations, a really great breakfast delivered to our rooms, and nice hosts in Marci and Johnathan.
With Zion being even more crowded than Bryce, Hansjorg suggested a hike in the back country. Also known as the East Rim Trail, the hike goes from the east entrance of the park to the valley floor. Ten miles in length we were hoping for some solitude. We picked the right trail, not seeing anybody for the first 8 miles and in the last 2 miles we only saw a few people as the trail neared the valley floor. With the elevation at 6700 feet the temperature was comfortable until such time as we started down into the valley. Then it got hot, really hot, especially while walking over some of the slick rock. Arriving at the valley floor, we boarded the park shuttle for the ride back the to visitor center and town. This was a great hike, and the only steep part of the trail was going down. My kind of hike.
SILKE IN THE FLOWERS
HANSJORG LOOKING DOWN
ON THE TRAIL
HANSJORG LOOKING DOWN AT FLOWERS
HEADING INTO THE CANYON
The next day we decided on a short hike to the Emerald Pools. Again, lots of people. In fact, way too many people, so we opted for lunch at Zion Lodge.
EMERALD POOLS TRAIL
We spent the last afternoon at The Red Rock Inn trying to stay cool with an extended happy hour. Then next morning we headed to Vegas for the night. Silke had never been to Las Vegas and wanted to see the lights. She did try her hand at a slot machine, loosing her budgeted $2.
HANSJORG'S FIRST PHILLY CHEESE STEAK
The week we spent with Hansjorg and Silke touring Southern Utah is filled with great memories spent with good friends. We turned their care over to Gary and Diane for the next week of their adventure. Next up: MAUI!
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