South of Hanksville...

[mph]

I was watching the weather for a week prior to a planned southern Utah trip. Fall in the desert is quite unpredictable. Especially in Utah... Sun to snow in a matter of hours...What did it look like? The weather window was looking about perfect. Highs in the 70s and Lows in the 40s...Excellent!

The plan was pretty loose...Head south of Hanksville and explore some places, look for rock art, take a few hikes, and enjoy Fall in the desert. My friend Dave and I rolled out in his well equipped LC 100. I have to admit...It was nice to be a copilot for a trip. Dave was gracious enough drive and enjoyed putting his 2006 LC 100 to the test.





A nice lunch stop...Black Dragon Canyon



Dave's dog, Mac, spotting out the next place to visit...





Signs of the past? The canyon art is fun to find and interpret.



Signs of the past? Nahhh...An artist of today displaying their version of rock art. It was crazy but we saw at least 5 boulders with various pictures painted on them.



Dave's well-equipped LC 100...Look closely and you will see a place you should visit the next time you are in Moab.



Making our way to the objective of the day--Happy Canyon. The trail follows an old mining road. A great hike with tremendous views! The Dirty Devil drainage felt remote...is remote...




A few ancient trees...Now rock...


Coming next...Happy Canyon

 

[mph]

The 2 hour stroll down the Uranium road lead to the descent to the Dirty Devil River and Happy Canyon. What a place! I will let the pictures do the talkin...











The light was playing games along the rock...Amazin!



Headed back towards camp and the spring was flowin...



Got back to camp for what I call--Magic Hour! Commonly known as sunset...



We left the next day looking for rock art...



We found some...Footprints? Bear paws?



The road will lead us somewhere???

 

[SmoothLC]

Great pics!

Happy Canyon is on my list of go-to-places - just have to find the time.

Nice Cruiser too.

 

[mph]

A road leading us somewhere...



Mac was lovin life...his first trip to the desert. I think he will be back!







An amazing canyon, Maidenwater...right off the road. One would never know unless you had a few hours to say...What's down there?



Tired...we setup up camp...Some good views!





More rock art was found and enjoyed! Then...the long ride home!

 

[jessejman]

Great photos and I recognize that last photo. Here is one of mine from what has to be the same road:



How did the LC do in Black Dragon Wash? Did you drive all the way through? Only body damage to our cruiser during our 6300 mile trip this summer was done in that canyon.

Great trip and thanks for posting -Jesse

 

[doug720]

Love that area, it has so much to see and do.

Great pictures and narrative.

Doug

 

[matthewp]

Another area of this beautiful state to put on my short list. Thanks for taking us along!

 

[mph]

We actually didn't drive through the entire canyon this trip. I have done it before...Smooth sailing...However, it all depends if it has rained lately.

Sorry to hear about your body damage. Maybe a little character to the truck???

Great photos and I recognize that last photo. Here is one of mine from what has to be the same road:

View attachment 127575

How did the LC do in Black Dragon Wash? Did you drive all the way through? Only body damage to our cruiser during our 6300 mile trip this summer was done in that canyon.

Great trip and thanks for posting -Jesse

 

[SnowCrackerUT]

Clean looking cruiser...I hate those ARB's junking up the front, like some people have. Looks like a nice trip with a couple of good MPH death marches. Until the next one.

 

[1911]

We found some...Footprints? Bear paws?

Not in Jurassic-age sandstone, no bears back then. Dinosaur tracks are fairly common though. Can't tell from the photo if it is a dinosaur track or just a weathering artifact in the sandstone.

 

[mph]

Hey, my cruiser has a junky ARB up front

Clean looking cruiser...I hate those ARB's junking up the front, like some people have. Looks like a nice trip with a couple of good MPH death marches. Until the next one.

 

[mph]

True...Good point! I am thinking during the Freemont period...Bear paws...

Not in Jurassic-age sandstone, no bears back then. Dinosaur tracks are fairly common though. Can't tell from the photo if it is a dinosaur track or just a weathering artifact in the sandstone.

 

[pcut]

That's why we took mine! Thanks to Mike for being a great resource of places to go and see!!

Hey, my cruiser has a junky ARB up front