MORE MOAB

Sunday was Mother's Day and it had started raining the evening before.  It rained all night and for most of the day.  Almost 2 inches of rain and lots of snow in the La Sal Mtns above Moab.  The weather kept us inside for most of the day.

The next day, Monday was cloudy and cold but we were determined to get out.  We picked a easy graded road through the Sand Flats off road area.  A BLM operated fee area with campsites and lots of trails to explore by bike, ATV or 4-wheel drive.  As we were just passing through, we escaped the fee.  Our chosen route started to gain elevation heading up into the La Sals.  We started encountering snow and muddy conditions.  We came to a spur road leading to a viewpoint but it looked real muddy. Then along came a ranger who turned down the muddy track.  Well, we figured they must know the road was passable so we followed.  Big mistake.   What a mess with deep muddy ruts and slippery conditions.  At times we were going sideways.  Never made it to the viewpoint and barely managed to get turned around.  No photos as we had to keep moving.

JEEPS IN THE OFF ROAD AREA

NICE SNOW PATTERN

THE MUD

Later at the self car wash there was so much mud in the washing bay, we need 4-wheel drive just to get out of there.

Last year while in Moab, we met Don and Dorothy from Alabama who were camping next to us.  At that time we camped with them for several days and made new friends.  Well there here in Moab again so we hooked up with the for dinner at our townhome.  Turns out that they had recently purchased a new Jeep Rubicon so we figured that they should tag along with us on our excursions in case we needed to be rescued.  So the next day we met up and explored Hidden Canyon and Bartlett Wash. Nice semi changeling route through sandy washes with some rocky sections.  A very beautiful area.

PIT STOP, EVERONE'S FINDING A SPOT

THE BOYS

THE GIRLS

HIDDEN CANYON

We stopped and to a walk up Hidden Canyon.  My guide book said you could drive up the canyon to make a loop, but not so anymore.  Guess it's time for a new guide book. Beautifu narrow canyon with flowers blooming.

On the way back down the canyon, Diane spotted two owls in a tree that had watched us walk up the canyon.  Pays to keep your eyes open.

Last stop on the trip was Thusher Tunner, a natrual crack in the rock wall passing through to another canyon.

TUNNEL ENTRANCE

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

THE EXIT

See Don and Dorothy's blog TRAVELING DOROTHY

To be continued...............