Finally, we toured Natural Bridges National Monument!

Natural Bridges is the first National Monument established in Utah.  How did Teddy Roosevelt know about this place way out near the Glen Canyon area?  We've RV'd near the Monument many times in the past, but never stopped to check out this park.  Glad that we stopped this time.

Although we were disappointed that we couldn't squeeze into their campground (maximum length 26ft with large boulders keeping out the bigger RVs), we did drive the 8 mile loop road.

But how could we just drive the scenic loop?  So we parked at a trailhead and hiked to two of the three famous bridges.  And what is the difference between Arches and Bridges?  Bridges have/had a river flow under them. 

After hiking over 5 miles, we saw two Natural Bridges, up close and personal. We followed the trail to the Sipapu Bridge after walking across the mesa and then down to the wash.  The Sipapu is the  second largest bridge in the world.  Continuing on our hike, we then hiked through the wash to Kachina Bridge, and finally back up to the top of the canyon where our RV was waiting for us.  A fairly strenuous hike; but well worth it.  Now tired, we continued driving on the loop road, and we have to admit, we only viewed the third bridge, the Owachoma Bridge from the parking lot viewpoint.

And where did we camp for the night?  A recommendation from a park ranger:  3 miles outside the park there is an abandoned runway on BLM land.  So another boondock.

Capitol Reef National Park

In Fruita, Utah, in the heart of the Waterpocket Fold, there is an oasis in this desert canyon country.  Mormon pioneers settled this area in the late 1800s, irrigating their fields and orchards from the always flowing Fremont River.  Today the orchards are maintained by the park service, and there are wonderful hikes through the canyons.

There is a 71 site campground set in a former orchard, and still adjacent to apple and pear trees.  With no reservations accepted, we understand why the park service now advices to arrive by 10am to get a campsite.  So after boondocking our first night, we arrived by 8am and secured a site surrounded by Fall-golden trees.  Immediately, we headed over to the Gifford Farm house where we picked up a cinnamon bun, an apple pie, and a strawberry rhubarb pie (all 6").  Over the next few days, we also entered the apple orchard and picked apples...nothing better than fresh picked!

 

So much for R&R........the main event was to hike some special trails.  One day we biked the park road to the Grand Wash trailhead.  Parked our bikes and headed out the wash through the Narrows.  Tall canyon walls closed in to 16 feet, as we walked the wash.

One of Morey's top ten all-time hikes was on tap for another day.  Starting at a trailhead just across from our campground, we hiked up the Cohab Canyon trail to the mesa top, then split off on the Frying Pan trail (called this because there is no shade?), and then to the Cassidy Arch trail.  

After over 7.5 miles and over 1,500 feet in elevation, there was no way we were going to walk back to the campground.  Morey said, no problem, we'll hitch hike; so we surveyed cars leaving the trail head at the Cassidy Arch trail; no takers, so we started walking.  A car approached, and we were successful snagging a ride back to the campground.  Whew!

Boondocking..................

It's about time. 
Being such good planners, making reservations where we suspect full campgrounds, were we ever going to boondock?  Well, it happened.

We arrived at Capitol Reef at around 3pm, only to discover that the campground was full (no reservations accepted).  Suggested by the campground host, we headed just outside the Park, to a BLM dispersed area.  We pulled in and secured some property.  Before the sun set, we weren't alone!

A week at Zion National Park

We knew that Zion was a very special place, but after spending a week here, we realized that this is a very, very special place.  Pulled BIW into one of the recently remodeled campsites; paved, level, and lots of space for our screen house, and chairs.

Joining us were our RV friends, Gail & Dan, and my sister, Kathy, and her husband Mel.

Over the week, we did a number of incredible hikes.  From just outside the park boundaries we took the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point.  After a little over three miles of hiking, we found ourselves overlooking the Virgin River valley at Observation Point.  And without the 2,500 foot climb!

Another day we headed toward Angels Landing (this time with a 2,000 foot climb); up Walter wiggles to the West Rim Trail.  If we had only brought our overnight backpacks...so magnificent, we wished we could continue this hike for another 14 miles.

 

And then to cap it all off, we hiked the Narrows.  This time we rented waterproof boots, waterproof leggings, and an official Zion walking stick.  Slogging up the Virgin River, we carefully stepped through the rocks, around sandbars, all to get to some incredible sights.  Morey did lose his footing on the return, splash; but all was okay; and Ruthie shared some of her dry clothes (thanks!). We did make it to Wall Street, Ruthie's goal.

 

Tomorrow we drive out early along  Route 12; a chance to rest our muscles.

The Havasu Canyon Trail

On Ruthie's bucket list for many years, we finally made it to some of the most beautiful water falls in the world.  It took a lot of planning, and lots of perseverance (making phone reservations - the only method; and good luck getting through on the phone, and then good luck getting a reservation for a trail permit and accommodations).

Here is how we did it................

Morey after a number of phone calls, finally got Lodge reservations for two nights in Supai (the only village by the falls).  Included, although we weren't sure, was also the permits to be allowed to hike the trail on Havasupai land.  Supai can only be reached by the trail that we hiked.  No vehicles.

We met our friends, the Zamostny's, at the closest RV campground, Grand Canyon Cavern RV Park,  where we could leave our RVs for a few days while we hiked into the canyon.  (65 miles to the Hilltop trailhead.)  While at this Cavern RV Park, we checked out the kitschy "Radiator Springs"props. (as in the Disney Cars movie), and all the old stuff..............memories from our childhood.  Was this old tourist spot near Peach Springs the inspiration for the movie?

At 6:30 the next morning, we drove to the trailhead and then after checking in,we started the 8 mile
hike down into the canyon to the village of Supai.  A steep trail with a drop of over 1,000 feet in the first mile, it fortunately leveled out and took us down a wash and between towering canyon walls at a less precarious drop.


Arriving at the village of Supai, with a small grocery store, a "restaurant" with few choices, and the Lodge, we caught some glimpses of the Havasu Creek and its incredible blue turquoise waters.  We were glad that we booked the Lodge for a couple of nights after the arduous descent.

Navajo Falls

The next day we hiked another 6 miles, through the campground (maybe we'll stay here next time?), along the creek, and past the three magnificent waterfalls; all with the blue turquoise water.

First was Navajo Falls.....

Then Havasu Falls, with the pools at the base where we should? have gone swimming.  The travertine walls on both sides of the falls added to this spectacular place.

Havasu Falls

Then to Mooney Falls where there is a long ladder that gets you down to its base.  After talking to a number of braver and younger campers, we deferred on the long rickety ladder route, but did climb on the rocks and gaze down at the roaring water.

Morey crossing the creek to one of the campsites.

Mooney Falls

On our final day, we hiked back out to the Hilltop trailhead.  Backtracking, we hiked the 8 miles and climbed 2400 feet.  We started in the early morning to try to avoid the sun and heat at midday.  Didn't do too bad as we emerged at the trailhead at 1:30pm.  The last few miles were steep and hot, but we were proud of our accomplishment!  






We did spot the mule train carrying the Gatorade down to Supai.


For the readers:  We discovered that there is a helicopter that will transport you to and from Supai (for the less hardy), and there are also mules (we saw too may of them galloping through our hike) that will carry backpacks and supplies.  So maybe next time, we will stay at the campground between the blue turquoise waters and have the mules carry our packs?

A little break in the action

With our completed hike down into the Grand Canyon, and another trip planned in a few days, we took a few days to explore at a lower energy level.  First we headed over to Lees Ferry noting the Vermillion Cliffs on the drive.  More canyon beauty.

We set up camp at a small National Recreation Area campground and took a walk to where Lee's ferry was in operation at the turn of the 20th century.  When we got down to the "put in" place on the Colorado River, we realized that this was the place that we, along with Michael and our friends, had started our 5 day river raft trip.  It was great to see the River.

Then we headed to Desert View campground on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  We had been here 4 years earlier, and as remembered, it was quiet with few tourists, and great views of the Canyon.  A day of rest and a time to recharge our batteries for what was to come!

once again, The Canyon is Calling

We hadn't been at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for over 25 years.  For our return, we camped for 5 days with our motorhome.  The North Rim is a much quieter, more treed, and more rustic setting than the South Rim that we visited last time we were RVing out west.  Our campsite overlooked the rim and even had cell service transmitting from across the canyon from the south rim.




We spent a couple of days checking out the North Rim's Lodge and cabins, and some short walks at the rim.  But the big event came when our RV friends, Gail and Dan, arrived.

The last time we hiked into the canyon was in 1975; a two day trip from the south rim to Phantom Ranch and back.  One of our fondest memories was after we arrived back at the south rim early, we had to beg for a lodge room, and then the next day we could hardly climb the few stairs in the hallway.

This time, we hiked with Gail & Dan down the North Kaibab Trail leaving from the North Rim near the campground.  Our planned route included seven miles each way and 4,200 feet in elevation change, carrying full packs including our tent, sleeping bags, cookware, clothes and food.  We were unable to secure a back country permit earlier, but with our persistence stopping every morning at 8am at the office, we successfully got one of the last campsites at our chosen Cottonwood campground.

What an incredible hike!  There is nothing that compares to hiking into the Grand Canyon with the incredible vistas, the changing rocks, and the trail.  These pictures don't do the vastness and beauty of the canyon.

                 

For our overnight, we set up camp at Cottonwood campground.  Cooked a meal of Mountain House freeze dried food, and went to sleep on a one inch pad.  But who could complain with great company and then the stars came out. Up at 6am to trek back up the 4,200 feet elevation back to the Rim.






As I'm blogging the evening that we returned to our motorhome and the prospect of a nice comfy bed, I know I'll wake tomorrow feeling great.  It's been a few years after 1975, but both of us feel great!  And another change was that this time we hiked in late September with temperatures on the rim in the 50s/30s, and temps in the canyon in the low 70s/50s.  The leaf colors added to the canyon.  Our last canyon trip was in June, and it was hot!