September 29, 2013

Red Ledge RV Park,

Kanarraville, UT

We were quite sore from the hike we took yesterday so it was great to sleep in and not have any plans for the day.

We ended up taking a ride into town so Monte could fill up his truck and our two propane tanks. 
We hadn’t had to get propane since the beginning of the month.  One tank was totally empty but the second tank only needed 1 lb. 

Monte spent part of the afternoon adjusting our large slide.  After doing the repair work the other day he now needed to lower the slide a mere ¼ inch and it came in and out perfectly.  Thank goodness Monte has so much technical know-how or it would be costing us a small fortune to do these little repairs and adjustments.

In the early evening we took advantage of the hot tub.  It was awesome-we wish we would have been using it all week.

Tomorrow is moving day-

September 28, 2013

Kolob Canyons (Zion National Park)

Zion National Park is divided into two sections.  There is no road connecting the two sections.  We visited the main section of the park a couple of days ago and today visited the less traveled part of the park.

 

  

 

Kolob Canyons is less than 10 miles from the Red Ledge RV Park so it only took approximately 20 minutes to get there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We briefly stopped in at the Visitor Center where I stamped my passport before taking the 5 miles scenic drive that dead-ends at the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint and the beginning of the Timber Creek Overlook Trail.   

 

 

  

The trail (only 1 mile roundtrip) is considered easy to moderate in difficulty. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The views were spectacular. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

We climbed up on the rocks at the end of the trail and just took in our beautiful surroundings. 

 

Back in the car, our next stop was at the Verkin Creek Trailhead.  When we saw that the trail was over 11 miles we continued on in the car to the Taylor Creek Trail. 

 

 

 

 

 

 The information board at the trailhead stated the trail was 5 miles.  There are two cabins built in the 1930’s, the first one approximately 1 and ½ miles down the trail and the second cabin 2 miles down the trail.  We decided to make the first cabin our goal and turn-around point.

 

The trail began with a descent down 100 steps.  (I was already dreading the ascent)  We had to cross the creek several times. 

I was quite winded as most of the trail was uphill. 

 

 

 

 When we finally reached the cabin, Monte asked if I wanted to attempt to reach the second cabin.  I was concerned about the amount of daylight remaining but it sounded like he really wanted to continue so I agreed. 

 

 

 

 

I must have brought up my fear about being on the trail in the dark too many times because Monte finally agreed we should turn around and head back.  I was also concerned about the possibility of encountering a mountain lion) BUT at that point I knew it couldn’t be much further so I said I wanted to continue on the trail.

Finally we came across the second cabin.  Hikers, coming in the opposite direction on the return informed us that it wasn’t much further to the Double Arch Alcove and the end of the trail.

I was beginning to think the hikers had lied because the trail seemed to go on forever

 

 but FINALLY we heard echoing voices and when we round a bend in the trail there it was the Double Arch Alcove. 

I told Monte I didn’t have enough energy to climb to the top

so he handed me the camera so I could get a picture of him as he scaled the alcove.

He was surprised to see me coming up to meet him. 

I just felt that I would be disappointed in myself having come this far and not making the attempt to go the last little bit to the top.

 

I’m glad I did it!

 

 

The return trip on the trail went a lot faster because much of it was downhill and those 100 steps leading to the parking lot at the trailhead was easier than I thought it was going to be.

September 27, 2013

Cedar Breaks National Monument, UT

Prior to coming to this area I had never heard of Cedar Breaks National Monument.  Seeing it was less than an hour drive we decided to check it out.

The views alone, on the way to Cedar Breaks, were well worth the drive. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trees have already begun to turn magnificent colors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We began at 5,400feet and slowly climbed to over 10,600 feet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After taking our, what had become, traditional picture at the entrance sign to the monument we drove to the Visitor Center

 

 

 

 

 

where I stamped my passport and attempted to warm my hands by the fireplace.

 

 

 

 

  

 

It was very cold. 

We hadn’t dressed for such cold tempts or to be in snow. 

Snow!

 

 

 

 

 

We made it less than a quarter mile up a trail

 

 

 

 

 

  

when I said I wanted to turn around. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The altitude was kicking my butt-

I couldn’t catch my breath

and I was FREEZING. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once back in the car we explored a few different dirt roads to see where they led.  One led to a navigation dome

and the entrance to a trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One brought us up and then down a very bad road. 

I wanted to turn around because there were tree limbs blocking the road.  Monte got out of the car and moved the limbs and we continued on.

The road dead-ended at parking area with a sign for Crystal Springs.   Just as we arrived a couple of hunters were leaving.  Monte inquired how far the springs were and they responded, “Not far.”

 

 

 

 

I decided to sit in the car and read while Monte went exploring. 

 He took two different trails but never did find the springs.

 

The final dirt road we explored was just outside of the town of Cedar City. 

 

 

We were rewarded with spectacular views of the city and were surprised when we came across large, beautiful houses.

The road eventually led us to Cedar City where we stopped at Sports Authority and Walmart before heading home.