Moab/Canyon Lands spring 2010 with plan B's

[Lesspavedrds]

I am posting a trip for the first time so I am learning as i go but...

I was inspired by a post by LilKJ to explore the Maze district of Canyon Lands. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32498&highlight=maze+district

The decision was to tackle this adventure over our spring break when the temperatures are relatively mild but we did not count on the snowy winter impacting our trip so much.

The set up:


Prepared for the unexpected:



We Planned to drive to the Coral Pink sand dunes, camp, and explore Zion a bit but... We hit an unexpected storm.



So we drove through the night to Green River, UT and stayed in a state camp ground that was well kept.



Chiliqules (sp?)



We had no familiarity with the permit process for overnights in Canyon Lands so we sought some education and explored Arches through the 4x4 roads and later headed to Moab for some McStiffs.










:friday:

 

[Lesspavedrds]

From there, I decided to take my girlfriend on some slick rock. She has never been on anything more difficult than Broken Arrow in Sedona, AZ so she was a bit nervous! Baby Lions back seemed to be her limit at first and Fins and things was a step beyond her limit, but she relaxed quickly.:smiley_drive:

 

[Lesspavedrds]

We finally managed to gain insight on the permit process for Canyon Lands. Turns out that the roads in the Maze district were mostly all impassable because it was early in the season still so plan B sprung into action. Needles district was open and had permits available. We explored Lavender Canyon first...

Needles outpost gas...$5.00/gal



Indian Ruins.


The walls are impressive.


The difficulty of traveling alone is that a minor getting stuck turns into a big deal when you have to winch forward

Got out.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

More to follow... This is hard work. I now appreciate the effort people have put into the trip reports that I so enjoy reading.

 

[Aids10]

Great Pics!

THX M8 :smiley_drive:

 

[SWbySWesty]

lookin' good so far! Keep it coming! Nice XJ...gotta be good at packing.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

After finally obtaining a back country overnight permit for Needles district, we set off up Elephant hill.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

The rocks were really fun on the way in

 

[Lesspavedrds]

I thought this was a tight squeeze at the time(notice the mirrors folded in) but I saw a post in the full size forum where a 2500HD chevy went through the same space...

Then we hiked the joint trail.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

Sunset was beautiful and calm. We didn't expect a downpour to hit us since we were gazing at the stars right before we zipped the tent.

View from camp after a beautiful and rainy night.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

All of the moisture in the night made for a clean jeep and some water on the trail.

Then more clouds on the horizon.


Then some white stuff

all three of these pictures were taken within about three hours of each other.

 

[Lesspavedrds]

We explored for a couple of more days after that and really really enjoyed the area. I understand why it is so popular now and can't wait to go back!
:1888fbbd:

 

[Wes Craiglow]

What an amazing and gorgeous place! I am most excited to see you traveling solo... the only way to go on many trips, and how I plan on seeing the slickrock for the first time. There's something about being alone in places that vast which can really make one feel connected to the place.

Thanks for sharing. Glad you made it in/out safely.

 

[Vermejo]

Wow. Great exploration, chilaquiles and photos. Thanks for sharing with us. :sombrero:

 

[SWbySWesty]

Thanks for sharing! It's nice to see another XJ being used!