Last night was cold enough for our water bottles to freeze shut, but not bitter cold. Still, we slept in to 6:30 to sync getting out of the tent with sunrise. All morning we walked through beautiful forest of ponderosa, Douglas-fir, blue spruce, white fir, limber pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, with aspen and oak just … Continue reading Leave before you get too soft

There is much to love about this day which greatly contrasts with the rest of the Hayduke. It was total luxury compared to what we've become accustomed to. Not what we'd want frequently, but fun for a day. We took a popular alternate to the guidebook route that goes through Tropic and connects to the … Continue reading Hoodoo posh

Yesterday on the road walk into Cannonville and Tropic we drafted a list of criteria for when to take a zero day. (We have fun with checklists.) Criteria include: how we feel physically and mentally, days since the last zero, errands to take care of, town vibe, oh and the weather. We added that last … Continue reading A Tropic-al rest day

A peaceful, beautiful morning gazing in awe at the formations of the upper Paria River canyon. Watching water flow from rocks and little minnows swim into tiny caves. Slot canyon sirens and white towering cliffs with Ponderosa and Douglas-fir. Petroglyphs. Signs of PNW outdoor enthusiasts in registers. Road walking. BLM visitors center in Cannonville with … Continue reading From the red canyon of the Paria to Red Ledges Inn

Red walls in early morning. Peach, gold, and gray walls in late morning. Yellow, orange and coral slick rock for lunch. Purple, pink, mauve, red stripped hills for the afternoon. Red mudstone for the evening. More to come from walking down Hackberry Canyon, up and over Yellow Rock, and up the Paria River. Day 29: … Continue reading A day of many colors

Cache day. Round Valley Draw slot canyon day. CDT friend day. Beautiful Hackberry Canyon day. (More notes to get filled in. But I have been given a curfew. Hiking on tomorrow and marmots are better walkers with rest.) Day 28: 17.7 miles; 420.0 miles total. Camp by Cottonwood tank to bend of Hackberry Canyon south … Continue reading Pepper Flake and Hackberry 

We started the day on the edge of Paradise (Canyon) and road walked to Cottonwood tank. Such a pretty canyon, golden sandstone walls and cliffs with ledges of pinyon, juniper, and oak. Verdant green hanging gardens under shelves. Red tail hawk pairs and swallows flying about, canyon wrens trilling. (Cowpies and all.) As we hiked … Continue reading From Paradise to an ancient redwood

Two songs kept going through my head today. As we'd dip our bottles into Last Chance Creek and its alkaline waters: "Drink it like you mean it" by Corb Lund. Drink it like you mean it, like the serious people doIf you're down and broken hearted and you've got good reason toDrink it like you … Continue reading Slip slidin away

A day entirely comprised of canyon travel, feeling like some of the most out there terrain of the Hayduke. Down Monday Canyon to join Rogers Canyon to join Croton Canyon then turn up Navajo Canyon. Every canyon had its own nature and even the character of each changed by the mile. We'd heard from others … Continue reading Canyon challenge course

It is very convenient to stroll out of Escalante and take care of pre-hike errands. We checked out of The Prospector, walked over to the Outfitters for coffee and an egg-in-a-basket (in honor of Bubbles and DNR!), and dropped off our package and postcards at the post office all before 8:00 am. The postmistress was … Continue reading A delightful puppy and wildflower day