Abbey Country...

[mph]

Abbey Country! If you haven't read anything by Edward Abbey--shame on you Do it! Your sense of adventure and exploration in the wilds of canyon country will spike.
The desert is always a grand place to visit. Fall is prime desert time. Specifically, October...With 4 days to frolic and play, it was time to make a trip to the desert once again. I placed a few phone calls to friends and family. The areas were discussed and the route planned. Off we went.

The first day dawned bright and blue. My friend Tyson was joining us for a few days and my brother and his girlfriend meet us the night before on their way to the Grand Canyon. It was a leaisurely morning before we rallied further south.



Louise getting ready for the day...



We drove further south to meet our good friend, Dave, who had arrived a day eariler and enjoyed the Swell. After a brief stop, we were off to slot canyons south of Hanksville. The hike was glorious. The lighting wasn't too bad either. Lilly had a blast running, jumping, and playing all around the slot.



We stopped for a late lunch. Rockart was spotted...Off we went...



Dave finding the goods...



That evening we rallied into the Maze area of Canyonlands. The road in was slow-going with recent road damage created by a large rain storm a week earlier. The evening was grand, so we just slowed down to enjoy it!



The further and further one goes; the prettier it becomes in my opinion. The desert in all its glory!





Dave bringing up the rear of the convoy.



Slickrock...Oh how I love it! No dirt, no trace...We found a nice spot to call it good for the day.



More to come...We enter the Maze to find signs of the past!

 

[SmoothLC]

Abbey Country . . . nice.

 

[unkamonkey]

Don't swing a shame stick at me. I've been going down there for over thirty years. A friend was down there in his Scout several years ago and thought he met up with Abbey in a a cafe in Moab. I sort of know the area. Yeah, read Abbeys books. At one time it was was required for all of the rangers to read them. I don't know about throwing beer cans out on the side of a road however.

 

[mph]

Don't swing a shame stick at me. I've been going down there for over thirty years. A friend was down there in his Scout several years ago and thought he met up with Abbey in a a cafe in Moab. I sort of know the area. Yeah, read Abbeys books. At one time it was was required for all of the rangers to read them. I don't know about throwing beer cans out on the side of a road however.

Moab 30 years ago....things have changed....wowser. I guess it's inevitable. However, the wilds of canyon country are still wild. I guess that's the appeal and attraction.
I think the chapter in desert solitaire about the hidden splendor mine is so interesting. A fun place to visit in the swell for sure.
Totally agree on the beer can statement. For some reason I can't see him doing that...maybe a little narrative freedom.

 

[Desert Dan]

Hayduke Lives!

Great pictures of your trip.

 

[mph]

The Maze is a glorious place. I think the best of Utah! It's remote...It's wild...It's a place you feel like you have discovered. Hayduke, the main character in Abbey's Monkey Wrench Gang, escpaes into the Maze to avoid the law. We, on the other hand, escaped into the Maze to find signs of the past...For enjoyment!

We stopped at a view of Bowdie Canyon. A few years ago, I was up at the head of that canyon. It's in the Dark Canyon region. There are some goods in that canyon worth exploring. From the bottom? That will have to wait...Today, it was nice to take in the view and see the Colorado River flow through Cataract Canyon.



Tyson helping Lilly up...Good man!



Lilly is such a sport! She had a friend cancel on her last minute due to sickness, so she had to hang out with us for the rest of the trip. She was a hoot!



Dave's rig gets some attention no matters where he goes. Beer? Game on...Advertising at its best!



We started on a hike. It was nice 4 hour jaunt to find the goods. Lilly just relaxing in canyon country. Notice the rock art above her?



Finding the goods...



Crazy perfection...The figures just loomed over the canyon.





As we approached our vehicles, Dave spotted something that got everyone's attention. Our first tarantula sighting in the desert! Lilly loving it...



Off we went...Deeper into the Maze. Dave scounting the route.



The Heart of the Maze. More to come...

 

[mph]

After our jaunt in the Maze, it was time to head up the Flint Trail. Abbey writes about driving down the Flint Trail in his chapter Terra Incognita. This old uranium exploration road now serves as the main artery in and out the Maze.

When you see this sign, you know you are in a good spot! Enjoy



We started up the Flint. Luckily, it was dry. Tyson, driving his stock Tacoma, did well following the steps up.



Just big country...



The road traverses the Orange Cliffs. You can see the LaSal Mountains, the Needles District, and so much more...



Gotta love "roads" in Utah...



Found a nice campsite up on the mesa. The clouds told us it was going to rain. However, it held off the following morning. It was stellar! Dave enjoying the view.



Our mission that day was to find some more signs of the past. The rain held off and it was just pleasant hiking weather. Spotted. The leaves were popping too.

View attachment 311746



Louise and Lilly enjoying their surroundings. See the rock above them?



After out hike, we went looking for some old ranches in the area. Crazy to see the effort people put out here to make a go of it.



I wonder if the cows know it might not be good when they head up this ramp



More to come...

 

[unkamonkey]

If you like Abbey, you might like a book by David Lavender, One Mans West, where he talks about growing up in the Paradox Valley and hearding cattle over to the Dugout Ranch as well, working in some of the mines in Southern CO.
I liked Abbeys determining distances to a place by the number of beers needed to get there. Fine if you are the passenger and doing the drinking...

 

[mph]

Thanks for the recommendation...I met and talked with the owner of the Dugout Ranch last spring. I congratulated him on selling his property to the Nature Conservency. Good story...Thanks again. Looking for a new read

If you like Abbey, you might like a book by David Lavender, One Mans West, where he talks about growing up in the Paradox Valley and hearding cattle over to the Dugout Ranch as well, working in some of the mines in Southern CO.
I liked Abbeys determining distances to a place by the number of beers needed to get there. Fine if you are the passenger and doing the drinking...

 

[KellyM]

Thanks for the recommendation...I met and talked with the owner of the Dugout Ranch last spring. I congratulated him on selling his property to the Nature Conservency. Good story...Thanks again. Looking for a new read

Just picked up All The Wild That Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West by David Gessner. Unfortunately, my wife snagged it before I could start it. She likes it so far. . .

 

[mph]

Sweet...thanks for the recommendation!

Just picked up All The Wild That Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West by David Gessner. Unfortunately, my wife snagged it before I could start it. She likes it so far. . .

 

[mph]

We explored ranches from back in the day. This cabin is over 100 years old...Wowser





Pulled into camp and called it a day. It was a day...Tried my hand at night shots.



Louise checking on the pet sitter at home. Gotta love technology!



The following morning dawned beautiful! The rain showers from the night blew to the East. However, clouds socked in the San Rafael Reef. We sat back and just watched the show!





Louise and I enjoying the view. It was quite the morning!



We packed up and started to scout out old settlements. Found some...



The craftsmanship still on display.



Lilly looking over the ranch. Time to head north...Homeward bound.



So, if you get the chance; check out Abbey country sometime. Grab a copy of Desert Solitare or The Monkey Wrench Gang and wander the deserts of Utah. Drive a dirt road and hike on foot. You will enjoy the treasures you discover...
Until next time...

 

[PirateMcGee]

Thanks for sharing! Another random book you'll likely enjoy is Fire Season by Phillip connors

 

[WU7X]

Just picked up All The Wild That Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West by David Gessner. Unfortunately, my wife snagged it before I could start it. She likes it so far. . .

I recently finished that book. In one word, outstanding! I was down there with the Old Farts Expedition about two weeks ago and we got the rain you missed. Still had a great time.

 

[mph]

Saw the trip report on your travels. Yeah, Cedar Mesa is a jewel of Utah! Sorry about the rain...

I recently finished that book. In one word, outstanding! I was down there with the Old Farts Expedition about two weeks ago and we got the rain you missed. Still had a great time.