My Journey

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

We spent the night at a dispersed campsite on BLM land just south of Price, Utah. The next day we headed into town to air up my third set of newly installed leaking Firestone Airbags (I just can't seem to win with these things). Then we drove south.....along Highway 191.....eventually connecting with Interstate 70.....and then drove east. We spent that next night once again camped on BLM land.....just south of Thompson Springs, Utah....."Starry Nights And Desert Silence".....sounded good to me.....



The plan was to explore the southern end of the Book Cliffs.....more specifically.....Sego Canyon.....



There's a large display of petroglyphs and pictographs here.....at the mouth of the canyon. But we bypassed them initially.....we wanted some hiking time.....



Apparently this canyon was once mined.....I think for coal maybe.....the remains of a rail system ran along the canyon floor.....




Everything here was a surprise to me.....especially the old stone buildings that still remained.....





Interesting to see how they recycled the steel rails and turned them into rafters for the ceilings.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

We got about 6 or 7 miles of hiking in that day.....on the way out we stopped at the Sago Canyon Cemetery.....



I've always found the old cemeteries to be a place of interest for me.....some stones tell their story.....






The day passed by quickly.....we explored so much of that canyon.....but there was still plenty more to see. And I wanted to stand on the top of those cliffs.....so we headed back to our campsite to prepare for yet another day.....




The skies were near a perfect blue.....but the one thing you can't see (feel) is the frigid temperatures.....it was soooo cold.....still.....

 

[Ace Brown]

I was in Sego Canyon in February. Close to home. But looks like you saw more than I have.


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[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Ace.....I sure wish that I could have experienced more. The cold, the winds & the snow just wore me down.....there's three canyons right there and we barely saw the one.....



Now I had a plan for the following day.....we'd drive as far as we could in the Jeep and when the road got too bad (which I knew it would), we'd hike the remainder of the way to the top of the Book Cliffs.....you know, to see what we could see.....



The day started off with a rather dismal sky which of course delayed our planned departure time for our next adventure.....



Fortunately it blew east and soon enough the skies were back to blue.....but unfortunately the wind stuck with us.....especially in that canyon.....



The road in was a real mix.....started out dry, then turned into a muddy mess, and as we gained altitude.....it was ice & snow.....



Since I travel alone and I'm not a huge risk taker (proud to say that I've never needed rescue), I dropped the Jeep quite soon in our pursuit of the top of the plateau.....



In addition, as most people know, whenever possible, I prefer to hike.....



As you can see, other people drove much further which caused the packed snow to turn to ice which of course made the hiking super slippery. Combining that with the cold and wind, we didn't make it more than maybe an additional three miles.....



So we retreated.....and headed for the rock art at the canyon entrance.....



There's some really good stuff here.....

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Bummer about the airbags, my 1st set lasted 200k+ hard miles. About once a year I would spray them with rubber conditioner. I also used the cradles under them, versus being hard mounted top and bottom. The second set, I have not used much as I have not taken that truck and camper out much in a few years.

* I am not sure what brand I used*

Since you have the camper on almost all the time, maybe just adding an extra leaf spring/custom pack would remedy that problem. I know a great shop in Reno my brother uses for his client builds. John’s Springs.

 

[ITTOG]

You might consider Air Lift bags. That is what I put on my truck after several references gave me real life experiences with over 10+ years of use without failure.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Unfortunately there was plenty of vandalism here.....as there has been at every rock art site that we've visited on this trip.....





I had an opportunity to speak with a ranger while gassing up in Green River, Utah and what he told me was actually fairly disturbing. For instance, he said that all rock art which has road access will be vandalized.....



He said that it all started about 8 years ago when disrespect became more the norm and that it's only gotten worse as the years have progressed.....



He said that it's become a "thing" with teenagers and that if they're caught it's typically nothing more than a fine.....never jail time.....





And lastly, he said that law enforcement has begun to install cameras at these sites.....both in parking lots and at the actual rock art sites. So who knows, maybe the day will come when these people will pay the price.....

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I always like picking the rangers brains and introducing myself. Good info, and never know when the info may come in handy.

The amount of LEO rangers, versus land they cover is staggering.

BLM has 200,

National Park Service only had 43 posted positions in 2023.

 

[AlwaysRoaming]

Jerry, thanks for finally checking out Book Cliffs. I know I have bugged you for a few years about them, but knew you would love them.

 

[klahanie]

Boot Micro spikes for the ice, if you dont carry them. Wont help the dog(s) tho but maybe they can travel the shoulder.

Great pics and write up as always. Thank you for your continuing inspiration 😊

 

[the deputy]

I always like picking the rangers brains

Figuratively speaking...right?

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

AlwaysRoaming.....I'll definitely go back.....I loved the little bit that I saw and I'll bet that there's all kinds of cool stuff up and in there.....and no people.....

klahanie.....I once had a couple sets of high dollar crampons that the renters next door to me stole. They probably would have been overkill for the situation, but they would have worked. You wouldn't believe the amount of gear that I have in my rig right now (pretty much always), but not Micro Spikes (I've actually never owned a set).....and thanks for taking the time to chime in. I always love ideas & feedback.....it's what keeps the thread alive.....

PNWY & ITTOG.....in December of 2004, I bought my first truck and in July of 2005 I took possession of my first truck camper (picture below). I immediately had Firestone Airbags and an air compressor installed. They were on that truck for 13 years. Once a week, I'd hit the button and add just a little air.....13 years of no fail. Fast forward to this truck.....February of 2018 I bought the truck and had the Firestone Airbags installed Day One. First replacement set in 2022 (I think). Now 2024 and that set failed. Now I'm on my third set. What happened to Firestone ? I sure don't know. I stick with them (I guess) cause they replace them at no charge.....

Also, I do already have an extra leaf spring installed.....



And actually I did get rescued once.....thanks to Fisher205 who got me into that situation and helped to get me out of that situation. He once famously said "why you don't let your Golden Retriever drive".....



And that's all I got to say about all that.....

 

[Mekcanix]

Merry Christmas Jerry to you and the pups!!!

 

[Sierra Valley]

Merry xmas. You make through Reno ever let me know!

 

[the deputy]

Dalton says Merry Christmas to Tanner and Trapper and you, too!



Doesn't that face just say..."this isn't the life l previously invisioned..."

Merry Christmas Jerry! Hope you've made it somewhere warm!!!