Exploring the New...Utah!

mph

Expedition Leader
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Ahhhhh...Is that a a "wall" of water coming at us? Is that foam moving? Why is there foam in the desert? These questions and others flashed in our minds as we were driving towards it!

My friend Barb and I took a few deep breaths and scanned our surroundings for a safe exit out of the flash flood traveling down the canyon. It was an omen for this trip...No, we didn't get hurt or have some dramatic, crazy adventure. What we did have was a desert experience to remember. Old friends, new friends, new canyons, new hikes, etc. The key word for this trip was NEW. Utah has so much to offer. There is no ONE, BEST place. They are all good. They are all different. This was a trip to explore the new.

My family and I have been blessed to spend many days exploring Utah. We always like to explore and find new places. What to do for this 9-day trip? A plan took shape...I would head down first and meet up with my good friend Barb as well as meet an old, grade school friend from Chicago and his girlfriend. Mid-week, my family would join me along with some family friends and their daughter. Game on...Time for the New!

Barb and I met in Moab. Got gas and escaped the craziness of Moab during Jeep week. We didn't want the crowds. We didn't want all the people. What we wanted was solitude, peace, and quiet. We headed into Canyonlands and began to search the walls for signs of the past. Drive, park, hike, snap pictures, repeat...It was a great way to spend some afternoon hours.

(some photos were taken by iphone in the making of this trip report)

Our luck wasn't bad...
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Barb hiding her excitement...
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We were off to find a place to camp for the night...

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The next day, we were on the lookout for ruins. Some accessible...some not...

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It was just a nice day for hike in the desert.

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Clouds closed in once again...Time to exit the canyon.

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The weather, rain, created a water park all over Canyonlands. It was fun just to witness. It was fun to see 400 foot waterfalls too:)

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Time to find some more NEW.

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More signs of the past to come...
 
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mph

Expedition Leader
When hiking in canyon country, one might spot a pile of rocks, aka cairns. As Edward Abbey once said, "If you see some cairns, kick em over. Discovery is what it's all about". I didn't kick these over but peeked around the corner.

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The trail continued on the slickrock. I knew that I wouldn't find "the goods" next to trail. It was time to explore and see what I might find.

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The handprints were crazy awesome. They were located next to a seep in the rock. Water was precious! Maybe sacred...

I found a panel I nicknamed the Gingerbread Man Panel.

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Utah's canyon country also offers big views. This day, the views were grand. The weather perfect. Time to walk, reflect, and enjoy!

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I had to find a way to the river...Back up!

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The desert was in full bloom.

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More to come...
 

mph

Expedition Leader
After saying goodbye to my friend Barb, I rallied east to meet my wife and daughter in Green River. Storm clouds looked to dampen the mood, but they held off. We jumped in the cruiser and took off. The deserts of Hanksville were our target. We found a slot, grabbed our shoes, and were off in 15 minutes.

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Such a lovely evening...

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Louise grabbed a picture of Lilly and I as we enjoyed our surroundings.

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The following morning we awoke and enjoyed our camp spot and rocks we would call home for a few days. We were waiting for our friends to meet us. We left them directions under a rock by a mile marker along Highway 95. How could they not find us????

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Glorious morning...

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After my second cup of coffee, our friends Sean, Amy, and their daughter Taylor pulled in to find us...We helped them unload and setup camp before we decided to take off and go exploring. Slots? Check. Water? Check.

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The kids were having a blast. We were all have a great time. A NEW canyon...A grand experience. Where to next? Point and go...

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More to come...
 

mph

Expedition Leader
Desert time...If you have ever been in the desert before...You know what I'm referring to. Casual mornings, hiking and exploring, canyons, slots, big views, magical sunsets...Desert Time is a grand time! Ours was awesome....We spent days exploring the canyons and slots. We spent days "talking smart" around the campfire. We spent days exploring the NEW.

A nice campsite...So much to see and no people! A few cows though:)

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Slots...We love them. It was nice to see Sean, Amy, and Taylor enjoying the many slot canyons in the area.

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Louise and Amy asking..."really down here?"

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Sean enjoying a few moments of peace and quiet!

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Yours truly getting the shot...Lilly and Taylor enjoying the dark:)

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Not only were we galloping around the slots...We found desert springs to play in...Lilly enjoying the spring-fed water.

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Flowers a bloomin...

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Rock formations were all over...Crazy cool!

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We were hiking and searching for a specific signature. A signature in the desert? What? A cowboy? An outlaw? Real or fake? I do know that this was discovered prior to 1950. Authentic? Neat regardless...

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Out one canyon...finding the NEW.

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Final Installment, the Easter Bunny!
 
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mph

Expedition Leader
That Bunny...As many of you know, hiking with small children can be a test of patience and lack of speed:) Taylor and Lilly were awesome. They hiked and climbed all over the slickrock. However, we did have a few tricks up our sleeves...Eggs! Kids will look all over for them...

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Even the lizards were enjoying the warmth of the desert sun...

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Trying my best to capture crazy rock formations with the correct light. Not easy...

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Until next time...May you travel safe and don't be afraid to explore the NEW. Cheers!

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fireball

Explorer
Cool stuff! Are those slots actually trails or are you just exploring? Happen to have a map or gps file of your route?
 

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