Third Time's A Charm: ADVENTR Jeep III

[IntrepidXJ]

Stillwater Canyon: The Green River in Canyonlands
Friday – Wednesday, September 16-21, 2022


Although this trip was on the Green River and I only took my Jeep to the boat ramp at Mineral Bottom, if you have ever driven the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park before, some of this scenery might be familiar, but from a different perspective. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/09/stillwater-canyon-the-green-river-in-canyonlands/



Mineral Bottom Reflections by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


In The Light by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Camp at Dusk by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Snake Handler by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Turks Head Granary II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Paddling Along The Wall by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Mouth of Horse Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning Color II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Little Sandy Beach by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

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[IntrepidXJ]

Million Dollar Highway Fall Colors
Friday – Saturday, September 30 – October 1, 2022


Normally, I would have left from work on Friday afternoon to spend the next full week exploring canyons in southern Utah, but I have a concert to go to on Sunday evening and decided to delay the start of that trip until Monday. Instead, I headed up into the mountains to go hiking this weekend, but the weather changed those plans and I ended up just taking some photos of the fall colors and snow along the Million Dollar Highway. More photos can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/10/million-dollar-highway-fall-colors/



Peak in the Clouds by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Mill Creek by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Colorful Mountainside by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Mountain View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


San Juan Triangle Fall Colors by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Canyons of the Escalante: The Box of Pine Creek
Monday, October 3, 2022


After heading down to Escalante I met up with a friend and we started the week off with a warm-up hike into The Box of Pine Creek. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/10/canyons-of-the-escalante-the-box-of-pine-creek/



Upper Box Fall Colors by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Trees & Stone by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Green & Red by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Box of Pine Creek by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Red Canyon Rainbow by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Canaan Mountain: Water Canyon to the White Domes
Southern Utah Wanderings | Tuesday & Wednesday, October 4-5, 2022


Hiking to the White Domes from Water Canyon has been on my to-do list for over a decade, so I was excited to finally make it there last week. The full story and plenty of photos can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/10/canaan-mountain-water-canyon-to-the-white-domes/



Water Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Above The Chamber by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The White Wave by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Two Domes by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


White Dome by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Back to Water Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Hand Petroglyph Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Fiftymile Point to Davis Gulch & The Hole-in-the-Rock
Wednesday – Friday, October 5-7, 2022


Camping and a little more hiking near the end of the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/10/fiftymile-point-to-davis-gulch-hole-in-the-rock/



Sooner Rocks Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Davis Gulch by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Jeep & Fiftymile Point by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Navajo Point Sunrise by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Realm of Rock: Elephant Hill to The Grabens
A Last Minute Trip into The Needles | Friday – Sunday, October 14-16, 2022


It was just another beautiful weekend Jeeping, hiking and camping in The Needles. Even though this was the busy 'Fall Break' weekend in southern Utah, we managed to keep away from the crowds. I guess I also got my new Jeep on it's first real trail when I drove over Elephant Hill, too. As always, the full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/10/realm-of-rock-elephant-hill-to-the-grabens/



The Squeeze by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Silver Stairs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Little Graben by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Confluence Cliffs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Confluence by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


New Bates Wilson Campsite at Night by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning Light at Camp by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Headed Home by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Exploring Desert Stone: East Canyon to Harts Draw
Tracing the Historic Route of the 1859 Macomb Expedition, Part I
Friday – Sunday, November 4-6, 2022

I cannot conceive of a more worthless and impracticable region than the one we now find ourselves in. I doubt not there are repetitions and varieties of it for hundreds of miles down the cañon of the Great Colorado, for I have heard of but one crossing of that river above the vicinity of the Mojave villages, and I have reason to doubt if that one (El Vado de los Padres) is practicable, except with utmost care, even for a pack-mule.

Captain John N. Macomb, Jr.
November 1, 1860

After being sick and stuck at home over the past two weekends I was really ready to get back outdoors again this weekend! Since I haven’t done much hiking in a couple of weeks I wanted to take it easy this weekend and thought this would be a good opportunity for me to finally start on a project that I have been thinking about doing for over a decade. That project would be to follow part of the historic route of the 1859 Macomb Expedition into the Canyonlands region. Members of a small detachment from this expedition were quite possibly the first non-native Americans to view and describe what is now Canyonlands National Park and leave written and graphic records of what they saw. If you are interested in learning more the full Trip Report can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/11/exploring-desert-stone-east-canyon-to-harts-draw/



Although I have driven most of the Jeep trails around Moab in the distant past, Flat Iron Mesa was one of the few that had eluded me all these years, so I thought it would be nice to at least drive out to the overlook for sunset.


Kane Creek Fall Colors by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Flat Iron Mesa Sunset by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


I started Saturday morning below the edge of the Great Sage Plain in East Canyon.


East Canyon Road by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Along the way I stopped to visit McComb Arch, though I think they meant Macomb Arch...


McComb Arch (Macomb Arch) by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Entrada Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Next I found La Tinaja below Casa Colorado, which was an important water source along the Old Spanish Trail.


Casa Colorado by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Baird Bridge


Baird Bridge by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


After crossing Dry Valley I went for a short hike into Hatch Ranch Canyon to find Ojo Verde.


Hatch Ranch Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr



This hazy view from the edge of Hatch Point was most likely the expedition's first view of the Canyonlands region.


Harts Draw Rim by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


I caught the sunset from Casa Colorado.


Casa Colorado Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Cedar Mesa Chronicles: Chapter 7
Veterans Day Weekend | Thursday – Sunday, November 10-13, 2022


This year for the extended Veterans Day Weekend I was feeling the pull of the ancients to return to the canyons of Cedar Mesa. Even though I seem to have been neglecting this area for a while now, I decided it was time to follow. Plenty of photos can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/11/cedar-mesa-chronicles-chapter-7/

Moss Back Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Square Room Ruin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Frozen by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Arrowhead Arch by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Canyon Stripes Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Cedar Mesa Sunrise by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Exploring the Cane Spring Desert & Ticaboo Mesa
Friday – Sunday, November 18-20, 2022


Last week I was having some rare troubles deciding where to go this weekend. I was going back and forth between heading over to the San Rafael Swell or the Labyrinth Rims, but when I couldn’t make up my mind I decided it was time to go somewhere completely new to me and see what I could find. Although I have driven through the small community of Ticaboo only a handful of times, I have never actually stopped to hike or explore this area before and thought that this would be a great place to finally check out. Turns out that it was! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/11/cane-spring-desert-ticaboo-mesa/



Trailhead Jeep by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Smith Fork Sunstar by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Smith Fork Narrows I by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Smith Fork Narrows V by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Ticaboo Mesa Road by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Ticaboo Mesa Sunset by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


South South Fork Narrows by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Thanksgiving Weekend Below the Bears Ears
Thursday – Saturday, November 24-26, 2022


This year for the extended holiday weekend we headed south to wander the canyons below the Bears Ears in search of The Ancients, like we typically do at this time each year. You can find all the photos here: https://adventr.co/2022/11/thanksgiving-weekend-below-the-bears-ears/



Granary Sunstar by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Cheers! by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Overhang Sunstar by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Portal by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hoodoo View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Under the Pink Cliffs: Trails of the Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce Canyon National Park | Thursday – Sunday, December 1-4, 2022


Of Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’ National Parks, Bryce Canyon National Park is the only one that I have not done any ‘real’ hiking in before. Previously, my only visit to the park was over ten years ago and during that brief visit I only went on short walks to most of the overlooks along the rim. I was hoping to change that this year, so I made it my goal to plan an extended weekend to Bryce to hike all of the trails within and around the Bryce Amphitheater this winter. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/12/under-the-pink-cliffs-trails-of-the-bryce-amphitheater/



Bryce Canyon Sunrise by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Bryce Amphitheater Sunrise by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Winer at Bryce by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Light on the Rim by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Wall of Windows by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Icy Switchback by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

A Day In and Around the Tenmile Country
Sunday, December 11, 2022


I spent Sunday doing a little more exploring of the Tenmile Country north of Moab. More photos can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/12/a-day-in-and-around-the-tenmile-country/



Narrow Canyon Glow by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sheep Petroglyph by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Tenmile Country Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Alcove Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Bubbling Spring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The Canyons of North Wash
Saturday & Sunday, December 17-18, 2022


Earlier this year as I stood near the rim of Hog Canyon on Trachyte Point overlooking the sandstone wilderness that North Wash cuts through, I realized I had not done much hiking in this area and I made it one of my goals to get back to start exploring North Wash and it’s side canyons later this year. You can read the full story from my weekend around North Wash here: https://adventr.co/2022/12/the-canyons-of-north-wash/



Henry Mountains Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Stair Canyon Sandstone by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Canyon Wall by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Stair Canyon Sunstar by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Lucky Charms by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sandstone Wilderness by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Icy Pool by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Moqui Queen by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Christmas in Arches 2022
Moab Winter Weekend | Saturday & Sunday, December 24-25, 2022


Christmas is here again, which means it was time to spend Christmas Day exploring Arches National Park like we usually do. Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year we headed down to Moab on Saturday morning and did a little exploring around the area before spending the night in town. Then we got up early on Sunday morning and drove to the Devils Garden Trailhead so we could hike out to Landscape Arch at sunrise before we spent the rest of the day in other parts of the park. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2022/12/christmas-in-arches-2022/



Landscape Arch, Christmas 2022 by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Jeep Trail by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Tower Arch View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Block Hoodoo View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Late Afternoon View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Many Triangle Men Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Granary by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Rock Art of the San Juan River
New Years Weekend | Saturday – Monday, December 31 – January 2, 2023


This year for the extended New Years Weekend Diane and I had hoped to do some hiking and exploring along the Comb Ridge and San Juan River, but thanks to the ‘atmospheric river’ that was impacting the weather across the western United States, those plans had to change since the Butler Wash Road was a muddy mess from all access points and I decided to avoid it. That meant we’d be skipping the Comb Ridge this time and instead would be spending our holiday weekend searching for rock art closer to the San Juan River. If you are interested in seeing more photos of petroglyphs, the full Trip Report can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/01/rock-art-of-the-san-juan-river/



Wet New Year by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Dots Panel II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hole-in-the-Rock Man by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Stick Figure Man by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Snake Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


New Year Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

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