Red Rock canyon country ride.
With spring break in full force and the start up of Easter Jeep safari beginning; I had one goal. Thats to go on a ride with as little traffic as possible. We started the day in the Island In the Sky NP. We left the Island Top via Long Canyon trail also known as Pucker Pass. Its a very scenic and well groomed 98% graded trail winding its way down to the Colorado River along Pot Ash Rd. We kept our speeds low and we’er able to spot 4 Big Horn Sheep as we dropped down into the canyon. Once at the river bottom we drove along the Colorado river north-east to Hwy 191; then north to Willow Springs Rd.
The second leg of our three leg trip began with showing the others how crazy the BLM dispersed camping area can get this time of year. Its like a Jimmy Buffet concert. All walks of life. People camping in Prius’s to Earth Roamers, 5Th wheels and old remodeled school buses. A few miles passed the camping area and on the outside boundary of Arches NP we stopped to examine a few dinosaur tracks left in the rock. Entering the Park on Willow Springs Rd; we turned left and headed North on Tower Arch Trail. Its about 10 miles to the Arch from that point. The trail offers all types of terrain. Sandy wash bottoms, shell rock hill climbs, slick rock obstacles, rock gardens and sandy narrow canyon walls. I’d say it’s not really a trail to test your skills or Equipment but more of a scenic drive on steroids. Going West to East I would rate it a moderate rather than Difficult drive like the Charles A. Wells trail guide does. After our time spent viewing Tower Arch; we worked our way towards Salt Valley; up and over the rock garden (extremely boney) hill climb. We descended down the Sandy section of the trail with a number of 1 and 2 foot step downs surrounded by soft powder sand. It’s easily understandable why this section of the trail would be rated difficult if going the opposite direction. Turning South-east on Salt Valley rd we entered the heart of Arches National Park. The valley is massive with no structure or human presence other than the road down the middle. So much of this area reminds me of Baja back in the 80’s.
The third leg of the trip was the dreaded pavement. Taking our time headed down the main Arches Hwy to their front gate and visitor center. Just the drive alone through the park is an eye opener at how amazing this area is. Do to having such a great time I lost count on the vehicles we passed or waved at in the dirt along the way. However I think it would be safe to say less than 20 other trail goers. It was a full day of Backcountry travel.
With spring break in full force and the start up of Easter Jeep safari beginning; I had one goal. Thats to go on a ride with as little traffic as possible. We started the day in the Island In the Sky NP. We left the Island Top via Long Canyon trail also known as Pucker Pass. Its a very scenic and well groomed 98% graded trail winding its way down to the Colorado River along Pot Ash Rd. We kept our speeds low and we’er able to spot 4 Big Horn Sheep as we dropped down into the canyon. Once at the river bottom we drove along the Colorado river north-east to Hwy 191; then north to Willow Springs Rd.
The second leg of our three leg trip began with showing the others how crazy the BLM dispersed camping area can get this time of year. Its like a Jimmy Buffet concert. All walks of life. People camping in Prius’s to Earth Roamers, 5Th wheels and old remodeled school buses. A few miles passed the camping area and on the outside boundary of Arches NP we stopped to examine a few dinosaur tracks left in the rock. Entering the Park on Willow Springs Rd; we turned left and headed North on Tower Arch Trail. Its about 10 miles to the Arch from that point. The trail offers all types of terrain. Sandy wash bottoms, shell rock hill climbs, slick rock obstacles, rock gardens and sandy narrow canyon walls. I’d say it’s not really a trail to test your skills or Equipment but more of a scenic drive on steroids. Going West to East I would rate it a moderate rather than Difficult drive like the Charles A. Wells trail guide does. After our time spent viewing Tower Arch; we worked our way towards Salt Valley; up and over the rock garden (extremely boney) hill climb. We descended down the Sandy section of the trail with a number of 1 and 2 foot step downs surrounded by soft powder sand. It’s easily understandable why this section of the trail would be rated difficult if going the opposite direction. Turning South-east on Salt Valley rd we entered the heart of Arches National Park. The valley is massive with no structure or human presence other than the road down the middle. So much of this area reminds me of Baja back in the 80’s.
The third leg of the trip was the dreaded pavement. Taking our time headed down the main Arches Hwy to their front gate and visitor center. Just the drive alone through the park is an eye opener at how amazing this area is. Do to having such a great time I lost count on the vehicles we passed or waved at in the dirt along the way. However I think it would be safe to say less than 20 other trail goers. It was a full day of Backcountry travel.