First Utah trip (Maze and Cedar Mesa)

[DVD]

First of all, thanks to this site for being such a great resource for planning a trip like this. My wife and I just returned from a solo trip through Utah's Maze District and Cedar Mesa areas. This site and Expo 2013 and AZLRO friends were instrumental in planning for the trip (from HAM repeaters to SPOT buddies to "double doody" suggestions).

Great trip! It's incredible that we can live in metropolis of 3 million + people and within a day's drive be so removed from people and, in some respects, be closer to pre-European American culture than 2013. Of course this disregards the GPS and high-tech vehicle and "glamour camping" equipment . Some friends mentioned our "backpacking" trip, and I had to laugh thinking of my wife's 2 pillows, our 50-lb tent, 16+ gallons of water, solar shower bags, etc., etc.

To make it easier to share, I posted a complete report with lots of photos on Blogger:
http://dirkvandyke.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-utah-trip-maze-and-cedar-mesa.html

As the kids say: without photos, it didn't happen, so I'll put a few from the blog set here.

Even the paved roads and passenger vehicle accessible roads are spectacular

Our first campsite at Horseshoe Canyon

Pictograph art at Great Gallery

Sunrise at Panorama Point

Flint Trail vista

Doll House camp with libations after a long day on the trail

Last day in the Maze, but the scenery doesn't get old

This section had some of the most challenging driving (photos never do justice)

Our campsite on Cigarette Springs road

Seven Kivas
​

Looking forward to more....
-Dirk

 

[Moody]

Excellent. I never tire of SE Utah.

 

[Fireman78]

Something very very special about that place. Changes ones perspective. For me it's the reset button that allows me to keep going.

Sent from highest tree in the woods trying to get a signal

 

[mph]

Congrats. U saw the best of Utah IMO!

 

[Funrover]

Very cool!

 

[WeeJeep2]

Nice photos and write up. We've been out that way a few times. Always nice to see some fresh photos and get some new ideas for hikes.

I've always thought this rock was Mexican hat.



It's on the north side of town, east of the road. Your shot looks more like a Mexican hat on a grand scale.

 

[roverrocks]

Very nice!!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Utah has some gems, you wandered into some of them

 

[DVD]

Good to hear from some who have had multiple expeditions that it doesn't get old. It just whets the appetite. We'll be back.
Especially in Cedar Mesa, I feel that we just scratched the surface: Moon House, House on Fire, tons of stuff in Grand Gulch, Comb Ridge, and then the stuff around Arches. We had planned a couple more days there, but I'm sure that wouldn't be enough either.
Thanks for supplying the better Mexican Hat photo, WeeJeep. I should have cropped and blown up mine.
-Dirk

 

[mph]

Yep...cedar mesa...I have 40-50 days there and haven't seen too many things twice! And u r probably closer to it then me. Have fun!

Good to hear from some who have had multiple expeditions that it doesn't get old. It just whets the appetite. We'll be back.
Especially in Cedar Mesa, I feel that we just scratched the surface: Moon House, House on Fire, tons of stuff in Grand Gulch, Comb Ridge, and then the stuff around Arches. We had planned a couple more days there, but I'm sure that wouldn't be enough either.
Thanks for supplying the better Mexican Hat photo, WeeJeep. I should have cropped and blown up mine.
-Dirk

 

[Willman]

Killer trip. Like Moody man said....This never gets old....

 

[Flymaui]

Great photos!

 

[1leglance]

great pics and write up...thanks for taking us along on your journey
and thanks for reminding me I need to spend alot more time in that area.

 

[SOAZ]

You made it!! Great shots!

 

[DVD]

Hey, thanks again SOAZ. Your post came along when I was planning my trip, so your post was inspiration - and good practical advice. It's been 3 weeks or so, and I'm still amped from the trip and looking forward to the next.
-Dirk