We hadn't planned on it, but we stayed in Escalante for a second zero day (no miles hiked). Woke up this morning and assessed how our bodies felt: still tired. Rest more please? So we are. One of the many wonderful things about the Hayduke, it's only 800-1,000+ miles. Around two months if one goes … Continue reading One more day…

Getting ready to catch up on blog posts and rest the feet for the afternoon. We're in Escalante for a zero day. This is my favorite town in southern Utah! Every one we meet is incredibly nice. And it's easy to settle into all sorts of interesting conversations. Escalante also has a small community of … Continue reading The charms of Escalante

When I hike long trails I often marvel about where I started my day and where I finish. This morning we woke up on a giant bench of red Kayenta formation in Stevens Canyon, a wild, remote feeling place. Tonight we are at The Prospector in Escalante. Running low on food (~1.5 days worth) and … Continue reading From Stevens Canyon to Escalante

A starry morning, awake before dawn, but lying in my bag. I watch an owl hop about in the cottonwood above us, then silently drop to the ground. Sorry little mouse or lizard - though you are a gift to the owl. Then our day began. And what a gorgeous day! Hard to believe we … Continue reading Over the Waterpocket Fold into Stevens Canyon

In the early morning we pack up and watch the walls of Hall Creek Mesa emerge from the dusk and change color. Black, to gray, to, dull brown, to a faded brown red. For much of the morning we walked the dry bed of Halls Creek. Big meanders. Often soft sand. Some cruiser gravels. The … Continue reading In awe of Halls Creek Narrows

A wonderful, beautiful, relaxing day. We got to our cache. Got food and water. Then hiked into Lower Muley Twist Canyon. Gabriel and I were delighted by the red rock, smooth slickrock, desert varnish and giant alcoves. Juniper growing out of small seams. Lush shady cottonwoods and box elder. Vibrant colored wildflowers!  This is a … Continue reading In love with Lower Muley Twist Canyon

My favorite song for the last few years is by Alberta singer-song writer Corb Lund.  Well everything is better with some cows around/ Livin in town sometimes brings me down/ Let me bestow this western blessing that I have found/ May you always have cows around. I found it fitting to sing this song while hiking the … Continue reading Everything is better with bison around

All night the wind howled in the tree tops. But it was calm (and dust free) on the forest floor. The last forecast we read noted winds 15 to 20 mph. Late afternoon gusts to 40 mph... hmmm. Get up and over was the plan.  Hiking over the Henry Mountains is a treat when conditions … Continue reading Blown over the Henry Mountains

After a restful, productive zero day, time to return to the Hayduke. We had estimated the time to take care of last errands and hitch would have us back on trail by 1 pm. Two clean hikers, shiny, kinda small white packs. How long could it take to get out of town? Turns out most cars … Continue reading Into the Henry’s… please

Days on trail: 13, total trail miles: 211.5 More to come on hiking in to the heart of Bears Ears National Monument, crossing the Colorado River for the second time, scrambling up the narrow chimney, and crossing the Dirty Devil River 10 times. It was fun! Things went smoothly and we were surprised at how … Continue reading Dark Canyon to the Dirty Devil River