Blaze A Trail

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Slot Canyon Adventure - Wire Pass Trailhead to Buckskin Gulch (Arizona/Utah border)

My daughter and I spent 3 Incredible Days Exploring Canyons and Iconic Views of the Southwest - This is the first post of many to come

We took an amazing journey exploring some of the most unusual and eye popping landscape of the American Southwest. Like the picture taken in Wire Pass (above and right), my daughter and I were in awe thinking about the force of the flood waters that flow through these slot canyons annually. In our 6-7 mile day hike, we only explored a small portion of these slot canyons.

Perhaps we'll return one day and make the full trek as described below:

"The Hike - No one’s died here–yet. But the odds mount every time a dark cloud crosses the sky. This tortuously twisting sandstone bottleneck is the longest, deepest slot canyon in the Southwest (and probably the world). Its narrow walls carve a 12-mile gash through the southern Utah desert, although most hikers bypass the first of those pinched miles by starting at Wire Pass, a tributary that enters Buckskin from the south and plunges them right into its tightest squeeze. The extended exposure to flash flood danger makes Buckskin one of the country’s most dangerous slots: Rarely more than 10 feet wide, the eerie corridor is 400 feet deep at its junction with the Paria River. Most chilling: The entire length of sandstone wall is virtually insurmountable–except for a single escape hatch at the Middle Route, about 8 miles in from Wire Pass. Should thunderstorm-bloated flood waters come charging down the tunnel, you’re no better than a bug in a firehose." Excerpted from Backpacker.com "America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Buckskin Gulch, UT"

A piece of drift wood is lodged 50-60 feet up the canyon walls in Buckskin Gulch.

After researching all the stories about this remote slot canyon, we planned for a day hike but packed gear to survive multiple days in the event of an emergency. The trailhead is 8 miles off the highway on rough forest roads. Depending on the season and recent weather events, the slot canyons can have water flowing making them impassable without hiking through it, at times as much as thigh deep. Sturdy water shoes and multiple layers were worn in anticipation of possible water crossings. We carried more water than needed for a day hike. Medical, survival gear, food/snacks extra clothes, fire starters and items to make a temporary shelter were also carried.

We also discussed what to do in the event something happened to me. My daughter needed to be aware of her surroundings and know how to hike back to the car alone to seek assistance. She carried a spare key to the car and was instructed on how to start the car for heat and/or drive slowly on the forest road back to the highway.

Too funny: Upon arriving to the trailhead, we were greeted with about 30 cars in the parking lot! As remote as this place was, spring break and good weather brought many to enjoy the slots. Most hikers had packs like ours but we actually ran into a foreign tourist who was alone and carrying nothing. We discussed the unnecessary risk this woman was taking with no water or gear.

Since the day she was born, my daughter has always searched for heart-shaped rocks, clouds, flowers or other things in nature. It’s something we do together wherever we go. She appears in the middle of a heart on the canyon wall in Wire Pass.

Trail leading to Wire Pass Slot Canyon:

A Great Day in the Gulch

There was so much to be thankful for. We had great weather. The sun above painted the canyon walls in the most beautiful colors. Everywhere our eyes searched was met with wonder - very few people on this planet have experienced something as truly remarkable as this.

Perhaps we will return to Buckskin Gulch. Perhaps we will hike the entire length of Buckskin through to Paria Canyon one day? Or, perhaps this is the last time we’ll ever be here. No matter what, we will always remember the hiking adventure and time spent together in one of the most unusual places on earth.

"I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart,

I’m writing the book on your wonders.” Psalm 9:1

Visit Part 2 of this trip: Horseshoe Bend
Visit Part 3 of this trip: Antelope Canyon
Visit Part 4 of this trip: Monument Valley
Visit Part 5 of this trip: Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Visit Part 6 of this trip: Grand Falls, Arizona (aka "Chocolate Falls")

For more photos visit: Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch @ Blaze-A-Trail.com

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sedona's Snowy West Fork Trail

OK. Here's the breakdown. You have a meeting in Sedona in the morning and plan to slip in a short hike to capture the snow laden red rock cliffs before hustling home to Phoenix for your daughter's Christmas band concert. Then while pulling into town you notice that, even though we had a statewide storm that dumped snow everywhere, two days later the entire south facing canyons were completely devoid of any snow. Even though Northern Arizona had the COLDEST temperatures of the entire country this week, the Arizona sun is so powerful that my plans to capture the red rock mountaintops in snow were vaporized. Not to give up that easily, could I squeeze in a trip deeper into Oak Creek Canyon to find the elusive snowcapped red rocks? You know it!!

Sedona's West Fork (of Oak Creek) Trail located in the Call of the Canyon Recreation Area is quite possibly the most beautiful of all hikes in the State (at least in the top 5 for most hiking enthusiasts.) The only problem is, everyone knows it. Whether it's spring, summer or fall, you can generally expect to hike with at least 100+ other folks on the trail (it's still worth it so don't let that stop you.) However, this time would be different. Pulling up to the trailhead there were about three other cars in the parking lot. Perfect. But, was there snow? More than I expected!

I find some of the greatest joys in life happen by accident. Having no intention of hiking this trail originally, I was so blessed to be out in this winter wonderland. The cold air was crisp, not a sound except trickling water and the occasional hiker. Crossing the creek a half dozen times was challenging with slick rocks and ice but the rewards were ever present. Pristine wilderness and red canyons laced in fresh fallen snow. For an Arizona & Phoenix native, this is not something one sees but only a handful of times over the course of a life. Alas, it was time to make it back for my daughter's concert which, after changing out of my hiking garb behind a Safeway grocery store (in my car) down the street from the school, I quietly slipped into my seat just as the kids were coming out to perform. My daughter played her heart out on clarinet and it capped off a very memorable day indeed! Merry Christmas everyone.

Visit Blaze-A-Trail.com for more...

Antelope Canyon - Take 2

This is my second trip to the lower Antelope Canyon. It's still as breathtaking as ever with new perspectives, new angles and new lighting and exposure. Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Mt. Rainier NP Backpacking Adventure

This is the first (of hopefully many) overnight backpacking trips with my kids, nephews and brother-in-law to the area surrounding Mt. Rainier NP. The kids learned firsthand how to pack for an overnight trip with necessary provisions like water, food, sleeping bag, pad, medical and survival gear, etc.

The Naches to Dewey Lake Loop is about 7.5+ miles round trip with several areas of gradual elevation gains. The descent to Dewey Lake as our destination the first night was met with excitement and joy. When the backpacks came off, the kids left the dads to set up camp while they fished and hunted frogs and snakes.

Dewey Lake at Sunset

The approx. 800 foot climb out of Dewey lake back to the Naches loop was an epic challenge for each kid but well worth the reward of incredible views of Mt. Rainier for the rest of the hike.

This pristine wilderness adventure is the perfect trail for kids learning to backpack and parents who are learning to backpack with kids! For more pics, go to Mt. Rainier Backpacking Trip @ Blaze-A-Trail.com