Earthwalk - earthwalk

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Nearing the end of my 3200 ft climb from the trailhead up to Bison Arm , the hobo hiker trudges on
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It was a tiring steep 5 mile climb and I stopped often to let my heart rate slow down
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At last on top of Bison Arm and walking toward my camp site
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Entering the shelter of a rock formation where my favorite campsite is located at 11900 ft
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The view from my tent site toward Bison Peak
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Dropping my pack I dont set up camp just yet and head out to the shoulder of the mountain to take in the last half hour before sunset
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Looking east to Mcurdy Mountain
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upon a high rock I scanned the view from Blanca Peak 100 miles to the south to James Peak 60 miles to the north
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Pikes Peak to the east
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Morning day 2 looking southwest to the Collegiate Range from Mcurdy Summit
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Oh my !
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A large mysterious fire to the southeast
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the sleeping lizard rock with PikesPeak in the background
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A root remnant becomes a perched animal with a rock in its belly
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Earth and sky , a bristlecone pine ghost tree
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The elephant tree hybrid
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Some of the high elevation bristlecone pines may endure 1500 years in these mts
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View from one peak of Mcurdy Mt to another
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Earth, sky and ghost tree #2
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The ghost forest at 12000 ft on Mcurdy Mt
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Odd burned out cavities were common in the trunks of the standing ghost trees
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A solitary piece of wood in a zen setting of wind raked gravel
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Janet pointed out that the wood has the profile of a wolf head
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Sculped wood along the trail back to Bison Peak
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Two ton boulder on My Tarptent . Dang thats one tough tent !!
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The sunset show gets underway on day 2
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Looking northwest along Indian Creek down toward Lost Park
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The light changes from brown to orange to brown as the sun moves down
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Morning , day three and I finally climb Bison peak. The wind is cool and brisk and the light is clear. My campsite is in the island of rocks on the shoulder of the mountian below
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Ha, another fashion statement from the feckless trekker
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Morning light on my tent in its little fortress of boulders
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Chris admiring Ouzel Falls on our 7 mile pack into Thunder Lake
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Morning , day two and I head out at 10:30 am for a day of tundra walking
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I follow Chris's tracks up a ridge toward Mt Alice
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Impressive Mt Alice
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On the pass at 12200 ft the wind picked up and I layered up
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Looking back down at Snowbank Lake with Chiefs Head Pk on the left.
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Looking west from the pass, I wonder if there is a way down to the country below.
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Looking toward the treacheous route up Mt Alice
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Looking back on the ridge I climbed to the pass.
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Sept cinquefoil.
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Tansy aster daisy
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I spent an hour listening to music above Snowbank Lake
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Late in the afternoon the weather begins to move in
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Many islands on Snowbank Lake
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Queen's Crown in mid sept
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the often overlooked Star Gentian
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View back to Mt Alice
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A brief interlude of sun lights up Lion Lake 2
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Looking down on lower Lion Lake I leave the trail and set off through the tundra and forest toward camp
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As I descend into the boreal forest the snow begins to fall , transforming the lush green understory into a magical realm of white and grey.
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Morning , day 3 and we take our time heading back to the Wild Basin Trailhead. The snow of the previous evening quickly gave way to the sun and green of the forest below.
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Lots of water still flowing down . The snow on the high ground will not fully melt out this year
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Stewart at the trailhead getting ready to head out on our three day tour of Missouri Basin
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We climb higher on the Colo Trail toward our first campsite
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Penny stove mania sets in around dinner time
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Camp night one at 11650' . The tree line is very high in this area at about 11850
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Day two Stewart gets ready for the days journey
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Mt Harvard looms in the background
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Day two and we hike up a quiet trail along Pine Creek
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A late bloomer Fringed Gentian
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We ham it up at Little Johns Cabin near Pine Creek
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A cascade with rust colored rock on Pine Creek
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Shallow water flowing over rust colored rock
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David praising the mountain spirits
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David tempts fate , Doom or no Doom
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The votes are in ,we choose doom!!
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We climb into the tundra heading toward camp 2 at 12100 ft
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Camp two with mts Oxford and Belford behind
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Stewart bows before the mighty Mt Harvard
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Our tents are tiny in the huge expanse of Missouri Basin
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We both forgot to bring bug repellant. The bandana helps keep the mosquitos at bay
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The sunset casts a horizon shadow on the flanks of Mt Harvard
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My Tarptent Rainbow behind Stewarts Big Agness Fly Creek tent
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Aview to the southern part of Missouri Basin from our camp at 12100 ft
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The saddle is Elkhead pass between Missouri Mt and Mt Belford
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Morning sillouettes inside my tent
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Day three dawns bright and clear and we decide to bushwack toward the saddle above Stewart.
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Climbing higher you can just see our camp spot along the creek below
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In a delerium of irrational euphoria , David rolls among the alpine flowers
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We come to a hight flat bench with several small lakes at 12750 ft
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Once again A giant distubs my reveries as Stewart appears high overhead
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Emerald Mt to the right at almost 14000 ft
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David ponders the etherial beauty of the high mt tundra
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Kings crown goes all red as fall approaches
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We will climb to the pass behind us topping out at 13250 ft
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High Alpine Clover
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Elephant Heads
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Arctic Gentian
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Bistort
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We finally reach the top of Elkhead Pass where a strong breeze greets us
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Heading down into Missouri Gulch
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We will have to descend 3750 ft along a steep and eroded trail that ends in the abandoned 19th century mining camp of Fredricksburg
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Phil eats his last carrot before heading out into the howling wilderness. Phil is carrying about 26 lbs while David is hauling a crushing 22 lbs.
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Granite slickrock along Goose Creek
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Disneyesque theme park of fantastic rocks
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David rocking out
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all that left of the shafthouse is a large steam winch, part of an ill advised scheme to dam up the subterranean river below and produce electricity. good for us that the plan failed and we still have this beautiful valley to enjoy.
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Bonsai pine grows in a crack in the granite
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A cool grotto in the boulders
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House sized Boulder
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this rock face reminds me of a sci-fi character, but who ??
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There be Ents about !
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Phil and David push on along the undulating trail in the late afternoon
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The valley gets more beautiful as we climb higher
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One of the several places that Goose Creek dives underground and becomes Lost Creek.
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Crossing Lost Creek for the last time we begin a long 2500 ft ascent toward Mcurdy Mt.
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At the trail jct 10900 ft
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Phil enjoying our daily lunch nap
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We traversed along a high mt side at 11500 ft. This area had been a mature Bristlecone pine forest until it burned more than 100 years ago
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We traversed along the south flank of McCurdy Mt for several miles
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the ghost forest yielded innumerable wind blasted trees many still standing a century after the fire.
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Defying gravity
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A few hardy bristlecone and limber pines are slowly reforesting the higher slopes
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A happy aka lightweight backpacker admires the view
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Bison peak from our campsite

Phil on the south arm of Bison Peak 11900 ft
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I managed to balance this 3 ton boulder on my Tarptent . Thats one rugged tent!!
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David petitioning the Mt gods
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Rock outcropping on Bison Arm
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View toward Bison summit from our camp
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Phils tent sheltered by the rocks
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Sunset show gets underway
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An evening of magic light and far vistas
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Sunset over the Collegiate range
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Our campsite was like a little fortress of sculpted boulders
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Alpine Forget Me Nots about 6mm wide grew in abundance in the tundra grass
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The forget Me Nots had furry stems , was this an adaptation to the cold dessicating winds ?
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David looking NW toward Georgia Pass
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There look!! Valhalla!!
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Down we go to Lost Park, we are sorry to leave this fantastic place
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Phil uses his modified ketchup pump to filter water on day 3
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Wild Iris along the trail
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A tree hugger at heart
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On day 4 the pack is down to 14 pounds .
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Headed downhill , our last afternoon is the hottest day of the trek
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A curvy Douglas fir
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David exits the howling wilderness, blistered and tired yet happy to be here.
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Phil heads down into the narrows below Collins Canyon
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Ancient Hand signatures downstream from Collins Canyon
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Evening near our first night camp 5 or 6 miles downstram from Collins Canyon
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the weather was so clear that we felt safe camping on the edge of the stream
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Reflection near sunset
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Mini me doing some bouldering
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Bannister Ruin about 750 years old
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Invariably theres a snowstorm on the I-70 passes . This is late October as we head west to Utah
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The Henry Mts at sunset south of Hanksville Utah
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We arrive after dark and car camp close to the trailhead. Ok ,Ok so im a messy camper.
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The Henry Mts far to the west
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Across the side canyon we get our first view of the 1200 ft talus slope that leads into lower Dark Canyon
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Phil amidst dizzying rocks
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Along the mesa we find sandstone potholes filled by the recent rain
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We arrive at the top of the talus slope with Dark Canyon far below
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Phil cavorts amonst the talus as we descend into the canyon
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David takes a more prudent track
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3/4 of the way down we have lunch on a wide boulder
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Why does everything look so blue here ??
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Finally we are down in the canyon and proceed upstream
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Setting up camp in a sandy area that can be flooded at times
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The creek water was brick red and was difficult to filter
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The famous penny stove with stand and windscreen
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The sun went down around 4 pm at our campsite yet remained on the high rocks far later
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Our camp kitchen
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A view of my Tarptent Rainbow 37 oz tent
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Phils Sierra Designs Lightning tent with the Rainbow behind
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Next day Phil and I saunter upstream
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The little rock seems to have split the big one
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Mudscapes
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Ok time to move this rock
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Come on Phil we can do it!!
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Along the creek we find a band of ancient fossils in the limestone
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Watch your step! We climb up and down in and out of the channel looking for a way upstream
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Lunch day two. yummm sardines !!
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Clearly there have been huge flash floods here recently
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This is where the brick red water comes from
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More flood debris about 10 ft above the present water level
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Waterscape
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Im carried away by the thought of recent floods
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Morning light in Lost Canyon
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The way up Lost Canyon
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Next to a waterfall I find a way to climb higher into this remote canyon
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Reflection on still water
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Its so good to be here in the cool air with the sound of water trickling along the slickrock
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Patterns in stone
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Castles in the sky
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More flood debris
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Mysterious plant looks medicinal
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Me and my 16 lb pack
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On day three we face the music and clamber back up the talus slope
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Yes its steep but we push on
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At the top I find a small sandstone cave
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On the mesa top we find some healthy cryptobiotic soil .
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View from the road south along Comb Wash
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A heart felt moving company truck in Blanding Utah
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After a leisurely start on day two, I meandered up the trail through mixed ponderosa pine and aspen
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The granite in this area is soft and it erodes into sculpted boulder formations reminding me of slickrock sandstone.
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I felt like I was in middle earth at times.
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Pointing back toward last nights camp above Goose/Lost Creek
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The trail started out pretty and just got nicer and nicer.
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The trail went up and down in a sucession of small valleys.
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lunch spot #1 in Aspens along Refrigerator Gulch
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This part of the loop had an amazing show of rock , many seemed to be looking at me.
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Lost Creek is down there somewhere.
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The pointing finger rock
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Here im getting close to lost Creek as it emerges from the hills behind me.
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House sized rocks
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The long log bridge over Lost Creek
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Me leaning on a gymnasium size boulder
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Granite slickrock
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I turn south and go up and down two or three more times among the granite hoodoos
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Aspen tapestry
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Into the light
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The kissing trees
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A well fed hiker miles from nowhere.
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After getting water at my last stream for the day, I begin a long climb up out of the valley.
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Its cool in the shadow of the valley after the sun goes over the ridge.
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I gain about 1800 ft in a long series of switchbacks.
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Getting near the pass I spot Mccurdy Tower above.
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6:15 pm and Im at the pass (10900 ft) Theres no water here so Ill search for a campsite down the south side of the pass.
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Im out of water purification and alcohol so I build a small fire to boil water. Yummm smoked water !!
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My 37 oz Tarptent Rainbow in its element. Camp , night 2
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On day three I reach the high point of the loop at 11600 ft. Im looking NW toward Kenosha Pass. Notice the little limber pine next to me at this elevation.
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Looking SW toward Pikes peak from high point.
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From here its all down hill (3300 ft ) to the trailhead.
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Limber pine growing happily with Bristlecone pine
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This little Bristlecone pine could live for over 1500 years.
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Snake head log
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Bristlecone , aspen and dead spruce.
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Octopus roots
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Contemplating nature
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The trip ended as it started with the last half mile of trail passing through the Hayman burn . This sight gave me pause to appreciate, all the more, the rich and living forest I have been fortunate to walk through for two and a half days.
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Phil on the trail to Diamond Lake


Phil using his ketchup pump water filter. We mostly filter for giardia in the clear mt waters.
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David leaving Diamond Lake and going round the mountain to Jasper Lake
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At the small pass between Diamond and Jasper we can see the foothills to the east as well as Pikes Peak , Mt Evans and James Peak
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Im carrying about 17 to 18 lbs on my back for this two day hike
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Jasper Lake in the afternoon sun
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Human meets Ent in the deep forest .
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Wetlands below Devils Thumb Lake
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We find shelter from the gusty wind in the last low trees before the climb to the pass.
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David contemplates the scene with Devils Thumb in the background
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Packing up , we take our time as the forecast predicts clear weather all day
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We head up the trail to the divide 800' above our campsite in the trees below.
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Looking northeast from the divide
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At the divide the winds are blowing at 40 to 60 mph .
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We first will descend to the pass and then the hardest climb of the hike up to the peak on the horizon.
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My second time at this spot looking down onto Devils Thumb and its lake below
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The tundra has its own variety of fall colors
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We finally get to our high point at 12600' and the climb up from the pass below has been quite strenuous for us old timers.
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The wind gets stronger like a river of air flowing over the divide and pouring downward to the east.
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Mt Jasper 12925' and our last climb comes into view ahead.
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I perch on the ledge above Upper Storm Lake . Now in mid Sept the lake will never shed its ice.
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David above unnamed lakes and Mt Neva
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looking to the west to the Fraser valley
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We come to the crux of this route, a steep talus strewn head wall
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Yes it is steep and we carefully pick our way down careful not to start a rock slide.
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Below the talus we are in Nirvana Vale home to a healthy Pika population.
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Lunch #2 in the shelter of a boulder
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We head down into the valley , Arapahoe Pass is on the horizon to Phils left.
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Arapahoe Peak is at 1 oclock
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Nirvana ahead!
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My it feels good to just rest in the warm sun.
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Phil disturbs my reveries and appears as a giant taller than the 20 ft fir tree nearby.
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A few late bloomers remain. This one is a Mountain Gentian about 8 " high
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Im looking back at the trailhead near Brainard Lake. My pack weighed about 21 lbs including a bottle of water and one can of Guinness
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Walking toward Coney flats in the afternoon sun
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Along this seldom used trail I began to see lots of mushrooms. these are choice edible boletus edulus
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tonight I will eat my stew with plenty of mushroom slices.
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Next morning I break down camp at about 10600' and prepare for the climb up to the pass. this area is a wind tunnel and the trees are stunted and bedraggled.
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Yep theres no two ways about it, it is tough climbing above 11000' with a backpack.
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About an hour from camp I reach the top of Buchanan Pass at 11850' .
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I practice my fencing on an unsuspecting rock nearby
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the west side of the pass is much more appealing with large trees , rich vegetation and water flowing everywhere
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Oh, oh, now they know Im a tree hugger !
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Perfectly round Amanita Muscaria . this one is somewhat poisonous . The natives in Finland have used this as an inebriant.
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Cascade falls on (where else) Cascade Creek which flows north into Monarch Lake Co
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Late day sun on the creek bottom
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Very tiny mushrooms growing in moss
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Upper Cascade Creek looks like Yosemite valley
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I love being in the wild late in the day. Day hikers rarely stick around for the beautiful afternoon light
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Another big tasty bolete (porcini) mushroom
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This fungi is about 6" across and the name is ??
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My 2nd night camp near Crater Lake is perched on a boulder ledge at about 10200'. the forest here is magnificent with large trees , mountains all around and the sound of water rushing downward.
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Im so hungry that I eat a bunch of snack food for dinner and drink the beer Ive been saving for two days. My five senses are in total bliss.
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As I ascend through the spruce /fir forest , I reflect on how nature is not always orderly . Even in naturally disturbed areas like this there is a benefit for some life.
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Hiking solo offers plenty of time for reflection. Here Im taking a break on the shore of Pawnee Lake.
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Late summer flowers are still abundant on the trail above Pawnee L.
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It was a trying and strenuous climb up the west side of Pawnee Pass. The slope is very steep yet the trail is well made with many switchbacks as seen far below.
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Almost at the top of the pass at 12550'. Pawnee Lake sits 1650 ft below.
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I take a steep , rocky short cut off trail down the eastern side of Pawnee Pass. Here Im approaching Lake Isabelle. Sadly someone owns the water rights to this alpine gem and are draining the lake.
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A couple miles of easy walking left to go and I take a nap next to a clear mt stream. These rests feel wonderfully relaxing and I feel my age in my tired legs.
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Purple fringe
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Our group enters the tundra on our way to Columbine lake
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climbing the last bit to the lake
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This is an unedited photo of Columbine Lake , One of the bluest alpine lakes anywhere
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Dancing Queens on the alpine way
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Anasazi shadows
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Stewart attacking Cristine
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Onb the trail to Ice and Island Lake near Silverton
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Janet looking good with her Japanese umbrella.
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We set set up camp at one of the nice Bryce Canyon campgrounds
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Janet descending the fairyland trail at Bryce Canyon
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Janet enjoying calf Creek falls late in the day.
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New Years Eve 2009
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Janet skiing the Sourdough trail 2009
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Alena,Janet and Nick skating in Evergreen Dec 2009
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A womans best friend
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Bryce Canyon from the rim.
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Neil at the trailhead . We arrive at the trailhead at 11:15 after a grueling 20 mile drive from grand Junction.
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Dick hits it off with an amateur photographer who left Denver that morning and beat us to the trailhead.
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Larry looks for a place to hop across Big Dominguez
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The creek cuts through granite which is below the sandstone
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Dick and I hike together and find ourselves crossing and recrossing the stream
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We decide to explore this side canyon to the west
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It gets narrower and more interesting
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Unlike the main canyon this one has water only when it rains hard
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We dead end in a box with a pour over and have to turn back
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Its quiet here without the sound of running water
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The weather closes in and Dick and I set up camp. theres no sign of Larry , Ralph and Neil. Just as we get our tents up it begins to rain.
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It rains off and on all night and through the morning. Around noon we meet up with L,R,&N and day hike upstream. Not far from our camp we find a dead cow. Its odd that in a wilderness area we find the canyon heavily trampled by cattle.
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Between socializing and chatting we find a little time to hike.
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In a spontaneous act of kindness , Larry washes Neils hot , tired feet
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Ralph is upset that Larry wouldnt wash his feet as well
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Lunch time on day two
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Unidentified red flower possibly Scarlett Gillia
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Dick pumping water from the silty stream
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The wilows ,box elders and cotton woods were showing off their spring green leaves.
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We didnt think there were arches in this canyon
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It will cost you 12 shekels to cross my bridge!!
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Neil runs David off the bridge an claims it for himself
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Desert paintbrush and two kinds of pea flowers
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the others turn back and I decide to go on for a while to see if the canyon gets narrower
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Mudstone turrets
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Turn around point. I take a short nap and head back to camp.
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Cattle tracks and manure are everywhere
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The dragon tree
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The warm sun was nice after the rain
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The elephant tree
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Orchid Beard Tongue , a penstemon I think.
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Back at the junction of three canyons in the late afternoon.
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I spot an old coot , probably the guy who owns all those blasted cattle .
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Larkspur
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The underlying granite is exposed beneath the sandstone
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Dawn on day three and the stormy weather has passed
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This is my first trip with my new Tarptent Rainbow and It performed well in the rain but I almost lost it in a sudden wind. Dick saved the day just as the tent was about to cartwheel across the canyon.
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My Heiniken penny stove heating morning tea.
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15 minutes down the trail we find L ,R, & N packing up and cooking breakfast.
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Heading back to civilization
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Dick practicing his stealth hiking techniques
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Sporting my new Golite drimove ziptop
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Dick and I have lunch on the granite at the waterfall just up from the Gunnison River
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The new foot /horse bridge over the Gunnison R about 3/4 miles from the trailhead
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Cattle roundup near Boulder Utah . We suspect that these cowboys might be city slickers
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John ,Phil and David relax in camp at the Wire Pass trailhead on the Arizona / utah border .Note the uber comfortable recliner Im sitting on which is reserved for descendants of emperors
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Phil with his Golite Quest pack and John with his 80s pack
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The modest beginning of the canyon in wire pass
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It immediately gets narrow but only 50 ft deep at his point
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We came down the canyon on a windy day and there was a light shower of sand falling from above.
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ah yes, now its getting deep and cool!
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We stopped often to marvel at the constantly changing play of light and shadow on the rock
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It was common to see flood carried logs wedged up to 50 ft above us
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The rock walls were always changing in color and shape
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At several spots we appeared to be headed for a dead end only to find a sharp turn in another direction
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This wall was maybe 300 ft high (about a 28 storey building)
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Fantastically sculpted rocks constantly changed as we walked along
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Some sections of the canyon were like a cave but with shafts of sunlight illuminating grottos
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Notice Phil at the bottom as he enters the next tight section
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It was cool in the shadows and suddenly warm when we came to a sunny spot
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finally we came to some places with Box Elder trees and high banks for possible camp sites
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There are only a few places with rock falls along the way . The immense power of flash floods carries most everything away
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Dark ,cool and mysterious
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What do we do now Phil?
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Phil looks tiny next to the sandstone walls
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A wide spot at the entrance to a narrow section . The floods dam up here creating pools which then gush at great force through the narrows. Notice the water line on the rock above John about 13-14ft up
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A wide spot leading to another narrow stretch
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Phil ponders as we head into what seems to be a box cul de sac
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Onward into the rock
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this log is about 50ft up
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At about 7 miles down canyon we pause for lunch on a sunny sand bank
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Looking straight up
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Finally we begin to encounter mud and water most of which we can walk around , for now .
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The canyon floor is littered with medium sized cobbles which pummel the soles of our feet
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Soon it becomes necessary to wade the muddy pools
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This was about as deep as it got for us. However after a flood people may have to swim through some pools
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Debris wedged up high ,looking like a birds nest
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Indiana Phil and the Quest for the Lost Diamond mine
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More fantastic rock
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We felt like we were on some alien planet at times
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Indiana still looking for that mine
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yours truely soaking up the warm April sun
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There were some pink coral sand drifts at the bottom of the canyon .
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On top of the sandy floor remained a thin layer of clay silt which dried and curled
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The dried clay crunches as I walk over it. We are very happy that we dont have to slog through this stuff after a rain.
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At long last we come to the confluence of the Paria River and wash off the tenacious clay mud from Buckskin Gulch
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Looking down Buckskin near the confluence with the Paria river
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Our fine campsite about a half mile up Buckskin from the confluence. I didnt set up my tent and sure enough a cold rain woke me at 5 am . It was interesting setting up the tent in the dark in my underwear in the rain.
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We notice that somone has had a campfire here which is prohibited
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John cooks on a noisy svea while Phil and I quietly simmer away on our tres elegante Heiniken can stoves
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Day two and we head down canyon
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The canyon walls get higher and more angular
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Jonh and David on the Paria. This river has a perennial flow of silty water that comes from 70 miles north near Bryce Canyon
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Day two was cold and windy with an overcast sky. The high for the day was 48F and the water we waded in was 43F.
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Servant John kneeling before his excellency, trip leader David
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After a while our feet were so cold that they didnt sting any more.
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John framed by a hole in the rock
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These small sand pillars about 1" high reminded me of mud dwellings in North Africa
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The Monbell Light Down Jacket and fleece balaklava were perfect on this cold, blustery day
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Camp on night 2 , under a large cottonwood tree beside the Paria River
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Phil and I both used our Sierra Designs Lightning tents (using the fly and footprint only) My beloved golden Montbell superstretch 25F bag hangs out to air out in the morning sun.
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My pack weight was about 21 lbs plus an additional 8 lbs of water and one beer for the first two days. Phil was a bit heavier and John I guess carried a staggering 30lbs without water.
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Sensing danger,John reaches for his side arm.
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The only dangerous thing in the area was us.
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Even more dangerous
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Ok,, the hell with it! lets get out of here! Day three and we head upstream.
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Bringing a 5oz Japanese towel was a good idea with lots of uses
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Wending our way upstream on the Paria we are in the water about 25% of the time
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The lack of vegetation is a reminder of how this canyon is scoured from time to time by flash floods.
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Back at the Buckskin / Paria confluence
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Another use for my trusty towel
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Knee deep in Big Muddy
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John waiting for the rapture
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This gigantic rock took a nosedive into the river. fortunately that was a long time ago.
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His excellency on his throne.
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Per the BLMs instructions we carried the yellow potato sacks which carried our "When Nature Calls" toilet kits. Rather than having the canyon become a cesspool they would rather we didnt leave anything behind.
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An abundance of river tumbled stones lay about 150 ft above the river channel. These stones have been laying here for tens of thousands of years , deposited when the canyon was somewhat shallower.
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The stones came from far upstream where the river was cutting into non sandstone rock
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The Paria looking south to where the narrows begin
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As far as I could tell these stones ended up like this from natural forces
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This stone ensemble was man made by me
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Last sun on the slickrock
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Our 3rd nights camp, once again, under a lone cottonwood tree
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Next morning ,day 4, we're happy Mr rattlesnake didnt return to snuggle up in our open tents.
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From here on out the canyon became a wide valley
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Back in Grand Junction we visit Phils gracious friends John and Cindy, where we stay the night.
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After a 9 hour drive we arrive in tiny Boulder Utah. Phil and I found this surprisingly hip cafe with good food and pleasant surroundings.
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We drove to Deer Creek on the Burr Trail and car camped under a brilliant star filled October sky.
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Our route begins at the Highway 12 State Bridge as it crosses the Escalante River. From here it is 70 miles down to Lake Powell and 15 miles up to the town of Escalante. We will head upstream.
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On this trip Im carrying a few extra items such as 40 ft of rope , a light wet suit and a pair of sandals for wading.
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Phil heads up the Escalante which we soon find must be forded every 10 minutes or so.
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About 2 miles upstream we find some ancient petroglyphs next to a cliff dwelling. This serpent glyph is about 3ft long.
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This glyph is about 2ft high and I wonder what the circle in the figure's hand symbolizes. Were they an early bowling culture?
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A mysterious red zig zag line above the cliff house
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Autumn foliage added color to the canyon floor
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The canyon contains several ecotones in very close proximity to each other . We were in a jungle of lush vegetation only a few feet away from dry sage and cactus desert
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A very large cottonwood towers above Phil
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The hiking was mostly in dry sand or in the water.
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We came to the confluence of the milky Escalante and crystal clear Death Hollow seen here flowing side by side
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On day two we head up Death Hollow. The water is clear and very cold but our feet get used to it. Here Phil is walking on solid rock a few inches under water.
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I didnt see any Tamarisks above the confluence of Escalante / Death hollow
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Fish darted around and hid under the rocks as we approached
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The redish scrubs on the left are poison ivy which can get up to 4 ft tall in this canyon
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As we moved upstream the canyon became deeper and narrower.
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The water in this creek comes from dozens of small springs . As we moved upstream the water volume gradually decreased.
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Bright sunlight ,cold water and massive rock walls make an elemental setting .
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Pools sculpted from solid rock
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Here Phil is entering the narrows on this stretch of river. We hope we dont have to swim.
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So far so good
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Now it gets very narrow and 5-7ft deep. We find a thin submerged ledge on the right and I mange to get through . When I look back Phil is on his hands and knees sliding sideways into the deep pool. He somehow hauls himself out before his pack can fill with water.
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Wet but undeterred Phil heads for the sunny flat rock in the background .
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A nice lunch spot for a wet hiker
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looking back down stream into the narrows
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Horsetail reeds and later ferns were abundant as we moved up canyon
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As we move higher in the canyon we left the cottonwoods behind and were happy to see large widely spaced ponderosa pines.
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A magnificent Ponderosa framed by autumn shrubs and sky
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Other common trees were Box Elder , Russian Olive, Willow and a cherry barked tree that I didnt know.
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Autumn in all its glory draws us deeper into the wild
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Phil framed by a large upended Ponderosa
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Walking through tall horsetail reeds
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One great advantage of backpacking is being in the wilderness early and late in the day. It is at these times that the light is at its best.
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Near the Mail trail we began to see ferns, rosebushes and more poison ivy.
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Finally days end at a nice camp on a sandy point . My pack weight with the extra gear for the canyon came to 28lbs at the trailhead. This proved to be a bit too much for the golight jam pack that I use. 25lbs is about the max for this light frameless pack
IMG_1042.JPG 2008-10-16

The view from my sleep spot on night 2. Since darkness came by 8pm we were in our bags by 8:30 . I listened to podcasts , stories and music on my Nano for an hour or so while I watched the stars drift by.
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My sleep spot with Phils place in the background. Since it was in the low 30s in the mornings we would stay in our bags until 8 or 9 am waiting for the day to warm. We both had Big Agnes inflatable air pads which was a good thing when spending 11 or 12 hours a night laying down.
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Our camp kitchen. We both cooked on penny alcohol stoves which lead to some competitiveness over whos was best. Notice my wet suit which I never wore but used it as a cooking mat.
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Phil hauling out of the canyon on day three. The point of land in the canyon below was our camp site
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Lunch on the Navajo sandstone
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David reaches the top of the mesa on the Mail Trail
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Near Sand Creek we find a large volcanic boulder which has worn itself down into the sandstone.
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Sculpted rock near Sand Creek Utah
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A cool hole in the rock
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Gusty winds on the third night induced us to build a rock windbreak for cooking.
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Sunset on the rocks and then we layed out on the open slickrock and watched the night light up in a brilliant star filled sky. We could see the band of the Milky Way arching from horizon to horizon
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Even though I only brought the rainfly and tent floor , it was 8 to 10 degrees warmer inside the enclosure on this quiet 28 degree night .
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Closer up we find that the 'cross' is actually a tree.
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In the morning I climbed up onto a slickrock bluff above our tents.
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IMG_1095.JPG 2008-10-17

One happy camper with a feather in his cap and a four day beard
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The dancing juniper a distant cousin of the Ents
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Larrys humble abode after a cold night. Yes he's in there , somewhere.
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Davids palace towers over Larrys hovel down below
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Can we get a Virgin Mary for this little alcove?
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I was a little under the weather this time out
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Looking up to Rowe Peak and Dunraven Lake below
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Two old coots on the tundra
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Icefield Pass with Lake Louise below (elv 11200)'
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The Bushwack to Dunraven Lake
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Larry looking dapper in his Golite rain gear
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Late day Mt light; an added bonus of overnight treks
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Headed down to find a campsite
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Lost lake
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Larry headed down on day three
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David coming down on day three. The weather stayed fine until we reached the trailhead
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Purifying water at a creek crossing . David headed out on this two night hike with 20 lbs while Larry toted a crushing 14 lbs
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Not only were the Aspens changing but also the maples and many shrubs were various shades of yellow and red.
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Larry and Dick hit the trail near Lake Isabelle
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Finally on top at the trip high point
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Looking down the steep descent west of Pawnee Pass
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Our destination --Pawnee Lake far below
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you can see the trail far below in the talus
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looking back up at Pawnee Pass (the low saddle)
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Zooming in you can just see Dick and Larry making thier way down the talus slope
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Even late in August the flowers were still abundant
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Pawnee lake in afternoon light
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Late light from our campsite at Pawnee Lake
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Larry trys out the hammock but its a cold night swaying in the breeze
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The Hammock looks like a giant crysalis
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Ah blessed rest
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Morning light on Pawnee Lake
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home sweet rock
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My tent consists of a floor and the rain fly only. I usually leave the tent mesh and body at home to save weight.
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Inside is my new 14oz Big Agness Clearview pad . It is comfy yet fragile.
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Dick on the halfshell
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Reflection on still water . most of this photo is a reflection (camera held upside down)
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The reflection is on the top half of the Photo
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Reflection is in lower half of photo
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Dondo (a fellow light weight backpacker we met on the trail), Dick, Larry
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Day two and we are headed to Crater Lake
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Water flowing over granite rock reminded me of the Sierras .
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Lunch literally on the trail. I have been bringing a type of flat bread called naan for my lunches. It travels well , stays intact and stays fresh.
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Headed up to Crater Lake sans packs
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Lone Eagle Peak above Mirror Lake
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At Crater Lake both Dick and Larry jumped into the water. To my surprise no one died from cardiac arrest.
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Lone Eagle peak above Crater Lake
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The forest on the western side of the divide is lush and verdant
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A giant sub-alpine fir
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Swirling foam on Cascade Creek
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Its not called Cascade Creek for nothing
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Waterfall on Cascade Creek

Waterfall on Cascade Creek

On day two we dropped down into the lodgepole pine zone and found many dead beetle killed trees. This area however was not terribly devastated .
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Day three and we head up towards Fox Park and Buchanan Pass above
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High up on the pass I find a patch of Arctic Gentian flowers
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On top of Buchanan Pass looking southwest
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Larry heads down the east side of Buchanan Pass
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Larrys down filled cod piece
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Last Sun after the Storm near Devils Thumb pass
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Morning moon above the continental divide
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Devils thumb looms over Devils Thumb Lake below
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The wind was blowing at about 50mph on the divide
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Frank takes a breather on the lee side of the divide
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Looking down on Upper Storm Lake in mid August . This lake may never fully thaw out.
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Frank heads up to our high point , Mt Jasper at 12923'
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We will make our way down to the two unnamed lakes below Mt Neva
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Still some snow in mid August. The saddle at far right below the mountains on the horizon is Arapahoe Pass
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Frank descending the talus into the Boulder Creek drainage
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Wait,,, why is he going up this hill!
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There was no trail and the route alternated between rough boulders and easy tundra walking
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I found it helpful to use a hiking pole in this terrain
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Much of the valley east of Mt Neva is fairly easy walking
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I think this is Snowball Saxifrage
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Frank looks back up toward Arapahoe Pass
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Monkshood
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Larry on the trail to Rodgers Pass
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After setting up camp I hiked up into a hanging valley below The North side of James Peak
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The high point on the horizon is James Peak
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Looking back toward Heart Lake
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The arch of the snowfield reminded me of a Hiroshige print
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An unusual white columbine
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Our camp was near the right side of Rodgers Pass Lake
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Morning light on the divide. the trail goes up the round mt in the center of this photo. We helped a young lady find her dog that had been lost overnight.
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Larry almost to the top of Rodgers Pass
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Suddenly a view to the west opens up before us
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From Rodgers Pass we hiked north on the Continental Divide Trail
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Our first view of aptly named Iceberg Lakes
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Every so often there were trail marker posts along the CDT
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Looking back the way we came
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Next we came to an overlook of the Crater Lakes group
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Where are we anyway.
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Corona Lake near Rollins Pass
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Our first view of the Forest Lakes group. Somehow we must find a way down to them
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No not here its too steep!
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We circle around to the north side of the Forest Lakes looking for a reasonable scramble down.
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Looking SW to Winter Park ski area.
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Time for a nap in the warm alpine sun
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We find a ridge that will go down to a likely camp spot at the lake below.
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Larry carefully picks his way down the ridge
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Our camp at the highest lake in the Forest Lakes (El 11300) . Our descent was on the ridge in the background.
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Next day we pick our way down from our high camp along a series of alpine lakes.
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Wild Currant
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Globe Flower
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Unopened bistort??
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Columbine over fir
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Sego Lily
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Western Wall Flower
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Chiming Bells
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On the Burr Trail heading into the Escalante area
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Slickrock covered by water at the confluence of Death Hollow and Escalante River.
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Heading up Death Hollow
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there were sandy social trails that abruptly stopped and started making it hare to pick the best path
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The warm may sun felt good as I walked in the cold stream
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Rock , water , plant and sky living harmoniously together in the canyon.
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Spring flowers were in bloom and the box elders were full of newly hatched caterpillars
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I could see trout darting about in the cool clear water.
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Every bend in the stream presented another unique view of the winding canyon.
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This canyon is a study in contrast , light and shadow , hot and cold , wet and dry. Hard rock and soft sand
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Further upstream I came across deep pools which looked just right for swimming.
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Standing on slickrock with 3 inches of water flowing over my feet.
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Looking back on the sneak route into Death Hollow
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Stewarts up but where is Cristine??
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Cristines been sleeping too long!! Time to shake her out!
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That should wake her up!!
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Turn around point in Death Hollow. Ill be back for sure.
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Luxury digs on the mesa
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Next day on the way up to Calf Creek Falls
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My photo couldnt capture the scale of this scene.
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Beach in Death hollow
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Calf Creek Falls
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This is a nice ending place for the trail but too many people for my taste.
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The water in this stream was much colder than the water in Death Hollow.
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David at alf Creek Falls
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10/1/2010 5:47:34 AM - 000041964999
Yep thats me,,, badass Dave mountain man .

9/2/2009 11:28:38 PM - 000069738152
David, it was great meeting you up at Pawnee Lake. Thanks for sharing your photos. Looks like you had a number of great trips this year. And Alena is right. You DO look badass in the header photo. :-)

Dondo

8/31/2009 1:33:12 PM - 002085685770
Very nice looking site here, Dad! I love your top picture, you look so badass

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