Friday, April 21/2017

Our trail for the day

Heading out

Today we are off to do the back trail to Wilson Arch - a natural arch formed by wind erosion of the sandstone.  It can be seen from U.S. Highway 191 and is a popular stop for the camera enthusiasts.

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The trail started out as the typical red colored sand but was soon inundated with slick rock and got rough.  Of course John can never stay on the designated trail and we were soon on a trail marked "more difficult" before too long.   This particular trail took us along the base of a massive rock formation and we found ourselves weaving our way on an awesome trail of sand and juniper bushes.  It climbed over and around plenty of sand hills and through what can be described as juniper forest with a few pinyon pines scattered in amongst all the juniper.  It truly was a sweet trail and the "more difficult" title didn't really apply although it did take us up, over, around and through the trees and sand instead of straight on the main trail.

Squeezing through the boulders

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This trail eventually spit us out onto the main trail and we continued on towards Wilson Arch.  We soon found ourselves out of the sandy trails and accessing slick rock.  Once we made the initially steep climb onto the slickrock, we followed the white paint trail marking to keep on the trail.

Crossing the slick rock

More beautiful scenery awaited us and the camera was never too far from my hands.  Again we marvelled at the harsh environment all the time appreciating the diversity of the incredible continent we live on.  Kay even mentioned that one never really knows what is in the back country unless you get off the highway.

Booko climbing the rocks

We travelled several miles over and around the rocks bumping along the very rough trails.  There was even a bit of shelf trail and at one point my fear of these trails got the better of me and I actually got out of the side by side and walked a short distance until I could get my panic under control.  It was on this stretch of trail that I vowed to punch John in the face when I saw him - God, he knows I hate these shelf trails!!  I survived this and Kay and Henrietta rode like champs!!

A little arch along the way

Last night's snow on the mountain

Climbing some steeper slick rock

Wilson Arch

After several miles and numerous side trails, we eventually got to the Wilson Arch Overlook.  It was pretty cool to see the highway and the vehicles through the arch.
The wind was howling like crazy on the overlook and actually had been pretty nasty for most of the day.  We were out of our shorts and into sweats and jackets for today's ride.  A huge change from tank tops and flip flops, I must say!!

Of course we had to get the "selfie" in for the day!!

US highway 191, Utah

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This trail was a spur trail so it was time to head back the same way we had come, minus all the detours we took to get here.   We found Indian Bathtub on the way back and I was unable to Google any information on it so really do not know why it is so named.

Indian Bathtub

We eventually got back to the shelf trail and although I was on the inside this time, it really didn't matter as I knew my life was in jeopardy once again!!  Kay kept telling me to close my eyes and go to my happy place!!  Yea, well sometimes that just doesn't work!!  Once again though, we made it through without incident!!
We traversed the slick rock and down the steep descent to the sandy trails and made our way to where we had popped out from the "more difficult" trail.  John did not take this same trail back.  He chose to stay on the main trail and we did pass several "more difficult" trail signs along the way and although the trail was rough and we encountered a few rocky stairsteps, the trail really was not that difficult.
The wind had accompanied us for most of the day and it was starting to wear on Kay and I.  I for one would be truly glad to get back to camp, shower and get some rose water on my face.   We all had windburn and it had been a long, rough riding day!!

Back at camp

Back at camp, the wind still blew but had settled a bit.  John started a fire and we sat around it for a bit.  I got the umbrella out at one point just so that it would block the wind.  That worked for a while then it was time for all of us to take refuge inside the camper.  Ahhhhh, the beauty of sitting inside where there was no wind.
It will be a travel day tomorrow in the hopes that we can find a place with much less wind and maybe, just maybe, no bloody thorns, prickles or red ants!!  Life is still Good though!!  Just "trying" at times!!