50 Miler

Last week we had our 50 miler down by Escalante in Southern Utah.  We decided that it would be a good idea to have a base camp somewhere.  The base camp was in a campground next to Wide Hollow Reservoir. I thought it was a very nice campground. The plan was to sleep there for three nights, and sleep out in the wilderness for the other two nights where we hiked.

Escalante River

Cut Out

Day one- We arrived up to Escalante, and started the hike in a place called Egypt, It all seemed like a great hike to get the week started up.  We were headed to The Golden Cathedral down in Neon Canyon.  We had to hike down, and into the Escalante River.  I was concerned that the river would be way to high to cross, because of the flooding that was taking place in Utah.  The river was at flood stage, but wasn't as high as I thought it would have been.  We crossed the river in several places, and then we reached Neon Canyon.  We set up camp and were headed back to the Golden Cathedral to rappel down it.  The area was full of a lot of  beauty.  We didn't hike up to the top to rappel down, because it was getting dark.

Vast Desert

Day two- We woke up, and started to hike down the river again.  We went for about three miles, then stopped and ate some lunch.  We then decided that the best option to get back to the trailhead fastest, would be to shave three miles off of the hike by going directly west from where we ate lunch.  That would mean hiking almost 8 miles without any water sources.  That was the decision, but no one had realized that it could have ended with the loss of lives.  But over 1,000 feet of elevation ascent stood in our path, and it was almost 95 degrees outside.  The hike started with an a steep climb to get to the flatter ground up on top.  Three miles went by, and water was already starting to run low, and two of the younger guys were barley holding on, and we could see a glimmer of the trucks parked in the mountain in the distance.  The best thing to do was to continue on, and try not to think about the long way we had to go.  After almost nine hours, we made it back.  I know that if we had one more mile to go, someone could have died.  Everyone was ok, and ready to head back to base camp and rest.

Day 3- We went to the Hurricane Wash Trailhead, and started to hike towards Coyote Gulch.  The Hurricane Wash was all a dry riverbed, but soon we reached where Coyote Gulch met the wash, and there was a nice little creek, that had very clear water.  This creek wasn't nearly as high as the Escalante River.  We hiked all the way to a natural arch called Jacob Hamilton Arch.  The arch was very big, and looked really cool.  We camped in the shadow of it that night.

Day 4- The hike out wasn't nearly as bad as the second day hike out.  I had a great time.  We got back to the trucks early at 11:00.  We drove into town, had lunch, and someone had told us that you could actually ride down the spillway of the dam at the lake we were camping at.  So, we got some tubes, and rode down it a bunch of times, then swam in the lake.  The lake was really refreshing, after a long day of hiking.

Small Arch

Two Arches

Day 5- This is where we did the day hikes down Dry Fork.  We did three slot canyons.  Dry Fork Wash, Peek-A-Boo, and Spooky Gulch.  First we did the dry fork wash, and this one was actually preaty big.  The canyon was really cool looking.  Then next one was Peek-A-Boo, I thought this one was the most cool looking.  There was a bunch of cool looking arches.  It wasn't very long of a canyon, but I still think that it was the best.  For the last hike, we went to Spooky Gulch.  This was also a slot canyon, but it was very small.  At some times of walking through it, the walls were only eight inches across, and when you looked up, you could see the sky, but it was about 100 feet up to the canyon top.  The rocks looked really cool.

Spooky Gulch

The best part of this 50 miler, was that being down south, was a different experience for everyone.  Normally we are used to camping up somewhere that has a lot of trees and stuff.  Out here, there wasn't tons of that, and the entire place was just different.  But it was a good kind of difference.  The desert has just a unique kind of beauty to it, and it would be another amazing experience to return to again.

Fifty Miler

This following week, we are going on a fifty miler.  It is down at Escalate.  We normally go up in the Uinta Mountains, but we couldn't because of the amount of snowpack this year.  It is going to be a lot of fun!  Expect tons of pictures posted after I get back.

Holbrook Canyon




 


Snow

Wednesday May 4, 2011 our scout troop went on a short hike up Holbook Canyon by the Bountiful Temple.  I was wondering on how high the water in the river would be because of all the snowpack.  We arrived and to my suprise it wasn't flooding as high as I thought it would be.  We had walked about a quarter of a mile, and already had can across some snow.  I expected to see some, but not until higher up in the hike.  We continued up the trail, crossing the river as we went along.  You could hear the sound of the river the entire way.

Ridgeline



River



After a bit, the trail started to go up on the mountain ridgeline.  This was my favorite part of it, because of the view.  The view was very cool, and you could see a small part of the Great Salt Lake from the very top.  And you could hear the sounds of the river below.  What supprised me, was that we didn't see any wildlife.  But the view after the hike made up for that.  And the snowball fights that we had along the way.

Tunnel

At the starting point of the hike, there was a tunnel that went under the road, that just had to have exploring!  We went to the end of it and was very suprised.  It looked like a massive water slide!  That would have been so fun to tube down, but then I thought about it and know that as soon as you hit that corner, well, it didn't seem like such a good idea.



Big Slope

 

I looked over the valle and saw how much the lake had risen over the past months.  It looked differently than it had in past years.  At that moment I realized what people were missing.  The views from uptop were spectacular!  Everyone should have this oppertunity, because it is truly amazing!

Great Salt Lake



Sunset



Places

After a month or two of not being able to go camping, I have been dying to go!  Anyone have any places that they would like to see published on this blog?  Let me know with a few ideas that you may have, and I'll see what I can do.  I am planning on going to Floating Island in the near future.

Where it started

During March of 2010 I wanted to see places that have alot of beauty.  I decided to take a look on Google Earth to find a few places that would be interesting to visit.  I found one.  The Newfoundland Mountains in Box Elder County in Utah.  It is an Isolated island like mountains range west of the Great Salt Lake.



Near the Entrence of the
Newfoundland Mountains



-Before you leave make sure you tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back!  Bring plenty of water and all the tools that you may need if your truck breaks down.  The mountain range is extremely remote and if you get stuck out there, you will be in for a long wait!

Ok, so did my research, and we drove to the mountain range. The Route I took is from salt lake city.  Get on I-80 West and drive 57 miles.  Take exit 62 and stay to the right.  Head north on the lakeside highway until you reach a well grated dirt road (about 30 miles).  Take the dirt road, you will notice a sign that talks about the test and training range that talks about not leaving the roadway.  From there go north another 13.9 miles until you reach Lakeside. (note: after traveling 7.5 miles of the dirt road there will be a section that may be a bit confusing.  Just try to follow the graded road that goes to the left a bit, then turned back right).  Once you reach Lakeside turn to the left and onto the railroad causeway.  Follow this for 25 miles and you will reach the entrance to the Newfoundland Mountains.  Be careful on this part, as at times the road is littered with sharp rocks, so be careful avoid a flat tire.  We never had any problems though.  I called the DWR and they said that it was ok to use this road, although I would call and let them know you are going out there just in case if a train driver is suspicious (they shouldn't be though).  We had 5 or 6 trains pass us without a problem.  

Looking towards the Hogup Mountains

Somewhere in the middle

Once you reach the entrance, explore around.  There are some really good places to camp in the eastern side of the mountain range.  And I really would like to do the hike up to Desert Peak.  Also you can just enjoy the silence.  I am doing some research on where some springs are located for water filtration.  I would avoid taking water near any of the abandoned mines, as it may be contaminated.  I have also found out that along with the road that goes around the entire range, there are 2 possible roads that look like they go through the middle of the range.  One that goes through Miners Basin, and the other that goes through Big Pass.  Now, I have not gone on these routes yet, but I have talked to someone that has gone on the northern route, and he said that it was quite rough and would recommend not taking a large vehical through the roads.  I'll go down them and post pictures.  I'll also post a Google Earth .kmz with the routes that I have traced.  For an interactive topographical map of the entire mountain range go to:

http://www.mytopo.com/maps/?lat=41.2251&lon=-113.3789&z=12 and change the map image to My Topo.

I will be posting a PDF topographical map of the area as soon as I figure out how to.  If anyone knows how please let me know.



Strongs Knob



On the way back we looked to our left and saw Strongs Knob.  An island of the Great Salt Lake that usually isn't surrounded by water.  Looks like really great climbing, and rappelling.  And great views from the top.  Someday I would stand at the top, and that day will still come.  Same with the day that I return to the Newfoundland Mountains, ready for more exploration!

And Now...

I am Chris and I Love Exploring!  There are a lot of cool places to visit, and I know that a lot of people would like to also.  Join in the adventure as we go Here and There.