Third Time's A Charm: ADVENTR Jeep III

[IntrepidXJ]

Drifting Around Indian Creek Country II
Friday – Sunday, January 6-8, 2023


This weekend I headed down into Indian Creek Country so I could explore more of this amazing part of the canyonlands region while also getting in my first pair of Bag Nights for 2023. Of course, I also hoped to find some new rock art and ruins along the way, too. I really enjoy coming to this part of the northern Bears Ears region during this time of the year since the weather is usually pretty mild and the crowds are non-existent. All the photos from the weekend can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/01/drifting-around-indian-creek-country-ii/

Indian Creek Country Colors by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Anthropomorph Boulder II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Granary by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Right Side of the Long Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Harts Draw Road by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Ruin Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning Horizon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Magenta Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr​

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[IntrepidXJ]

Valley of Shining Water: Along the Pahranagat Trail
Thursday – Sunday, January 12-15, 2023


This holiday weekend I took an extra day off from work on Friday so I could spend four days hiking, camping and searching for petroglyphs in the warmer temperatures of the Pahranagat Valley in Nevada, which straddles the transition zone between the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts. But just like during my recent New Years weekend, the weather would have other plans for me this weekend. The full Trip Report can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/01/valley-of-shining-water-along-the-pahranagat-trail/



Into The Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Jared in the Narrows by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Shields Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Evening Glow at Camp by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Gathering Site by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Two-Track Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Rocks Wilderness by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


North Pahroc Range Snow by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Moab Meanderings: Both Sides of The Portal
Saturday, January 21, 2023


This weekend I decided to stay close to home and went on a day trip to Moab. I hiked trails on both sides of The Portal (Stairmaster Trail and Portal Trail) and then grabbed a burger from the Moab Brewery before heading back home. All the photos from the day can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/01/moab-meanderings-both-sides-of-the-portal/



Wall Street by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Gold Bar Rim by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sandstone & Snow by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Old Folks Home by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Portal View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Snake Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

A Brief Stopover in Petrified Forest National Park
Arizona Winter Loop | Saturday & Sunday, January 28-29, 2023


We recently found out that Diane would have a little time off from her clinical rotations before going back at it in mid-February and then she would be pretty busy until her graduation in May, so we decided to load up the Jeep and head down to southern Arizona in search of some warmer temperatures for a week. One of my main goals this trip was to spend a couple days exploring the Sky Islands and Chiricahua National Monument in the southeastern corner of Arizona, but since it’s a long drive to get there we broke up the initial drive by spending a night at the Painted Desert Ranger Cabin near Petrified Forest National Park and did a little hiking while we were there. I just can’t pass up an opportunity to spend a little time hiking in the backcountry of that amazing park when we are nearby! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/01/a-brief-stopover-in-petrified-forest-national-park/



Jasper Forest by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Wildhorse Wash Sunset by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning at the Cabin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Devil's Playground by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Fallen Slab Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Down the Wash by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Overhang Petroglyphs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The Sky Islands of the Chihuahuan Desert
Chiricahua National Monument to the Pedregosa Mountains and Dragoon Mountains
Arizona Winter Loop | Monday – Wednesday, January 30 – February 1, 2023


After a brief stopover in Petrified Forest National Park we continued south through Arizona on our way to the Sky Islands of the Chihuahuan Desert in the southeast corner of the state. After leaving Holbrook we would cross the canyon of the Salt River and then follow the Gila Valley until we reached Safford and eventually Willcox later in the evening. Since I knew we would be arriving late I had booked a hotel room in town to stay at before we continued on to Chiricahua National Monument first thing in the morning. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/02/the-sky-islands-of-the-chihuahuan-desert/



Chiricahua Dawn by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Grotto by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Balanced Rock by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Inspiration Point by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sugarloaf Mountain Fire Lookout by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Chiricahua Mountains Sunset by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sunset View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Halfmoon Tank Reflection by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Cochise Stronghold Overlook by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Jeep View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Council Rocks by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Council Rocks Road by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Tucson Mountains: King Canyon to Wasson Peak
Arizona Winer Loop | Wednesday – Thursday, February 1-2, 2023


After leaving the Sky Islands late on Wednesday afternoon we headed northwest into the Sonoran Desert near Tucson so we could spend the next day hiking in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, which we had not been back to since our Honeymoon Adventure in 2017. During that previous visit we really only had time to tour the park roads and go on a short hike to the petroglyphs of Signal Hill, so I was looking forward to hiking a little deeper into the park this time. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/02/tucson-mountains-king-canyon-to-wasson-peak/



Golden Gate Mountain Evening by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Saguaro Evening by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


King Canyon Petroglyphs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


King Canyon Trail by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hazy Tucson Mountains II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Wasson Peak Trail by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Wasson Peak Summit by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hugh Norris Trail by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Picture Rocks Petroglyphs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The Picacho Mountains to the Superstition Mountains
Arizona Winter Loop | Friday, February 3, 2023


After spending a day walking among the saguaros near Tucson it was time to continue heading north as we started the long drive back since we wanted to make it home late on Saturday evening. We had hotel reservations to spend the night in Camp Verde later today, but there were a couple stops we wanted to make along the way as we left the Sonoran Desert and made our way over the Black Hills to the Verde Valley. We were up well before sunrise on Friday morning, packed up our camp and left in the dark shortly before dawn. On our way towards Phoenix we left the interstate and reached the foot of the Picacho Mountains just after sunrise so we could spend a couple hours searching boulders for petroglyphs, which is one of our favorite things to do. And we found plenty! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/02/the-picacho-mountains-to-the-superstition-mountains/



Picacho Mountains Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Boulder Petroglyphs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Boulder Petroglyphs by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Wall Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Casa Grande Ruins by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hieroglyphic Canyon Trail by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hieroglyphic Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Hieroglyphic Canyon View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Beneath Secret Mountain: The Palatki & Honanki Ruins
Arizona Winter Loop | Saturday, February 4, 2023


After spending the last seven days in Arizona it was unfortunately time to start heading home. But first, we would be spending this morning visiting a couple ruins and rock art sites in the Red Rock Wilderness near Sedona. This would be our very first time in the Sedona area, and even though we knew it would be a little more popular and crowded than we would like we were a little interested to see what this area was all about. Before we had left home on this trip I had booked the earliest tour at the Palatki Heritage Site for Saturday morning, and even though the site was closed at the time due to muddy roads, I hoped that it would be open by the time we got there, and thankfully it was! The full Trip Report can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/02/beneath-secret-mountain-the-palatki-honanki-ruins/



Red Rock by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Palatki Ruins by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


High Shields by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Big Shield by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Honanki Ruin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Pictograph Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Moab Meanderings: Moab Area Rock Art XXXX
Saturday, February 11, 2023


After spending last week around southern Arizona, I was looking to stay a little closer to home this weekend and figured a day trip to Moab in search of rock art was in order on Saturday. There is a very nice petroglyph panel that I’ve been looking for on and off for about twelve years now, so I thought it was time to finally continue the search for that one again since I thought I might have a good idea where it was this time. I left home early on Saturday morning, arrived in Moab shortly after sunrise, and began my search…



Canyon Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Patch Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Panel Behind the Tree by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Tall Man Petroglyph by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Entrajo Canyon Chamber by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Birthday Bear Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Across The Great Wall at Arches National Park
Saturday, February 18, 2023



I was originally planning to spend all three days this holiday weekend in the Bears Ears region, but a winter storm had come through earlier in the week that dropped some snow in the area, so I figured I had better postpone that trip for a little while since the roads would probably be a melting muddy mess. Although we got a fair bit of snow in Grand Junction from the same storm, it looked like Moab was mostly spared from new snow, so on Saturday morning I decided to head that direction for one last day trip this winter before things really start to get busy down there. I went to Arches National Park so I could finally do a hike that I’ve been thinking about for many years, which would be to hike across The Great Wall. I’ve driven below The Great Wall may times over the years and thought it was finally time to hike across the top of it for a closer look! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/02/across-the-great-wall-at-arches-national-park/



Below the Wall by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning Wall Walk by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Rock Pinnacles View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Courthouse Wash by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Sandstone Wandering II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Heading Back by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Barbed Arch by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Back on the Sandstone Spine: Comb Ridge
Friday – Sunday, February 24-26, 2023


After unsuccessfully trying to get on the Comb Ridge twice this year already, I almost gave up a third time this weekend as yet another winter storm system moved through the area during the week. However, later in the week I decided to take my chances and head down that way anyway. I had some alternate plans, just in case. I’m glad I ended up going since conditions on Saturday were very nice with dry roads and the high temperature reaching sixty degrees. It was lovely spring-like weather and I was glad to be out exploring the Bears Ears region once again! Of course, then conditions quickly changed again on Sunday morning- but more on that later. The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/02/back-on-the-sandstone-spine-comb-ridge/



Comb Canyon Exploring by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Tall Wall Ruin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


The Tooth by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Tooth View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Cleft Ruin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning at the Rim by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


San Juan River by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Grid Sheep Panel by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Atlatl Panel Detail by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Snow Squall by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[Opus]

Now THAT is a photo dump! Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[LKG]

My new JLUR finally showed up in Western Colorado yesterday, so I thought it would be nice to start a thread here where I can share selected photos from the adventures I frequently go on. Although I will be adding a couple minor modifications to this Jeep, my rock-crawling days are long behind me and I purposely get the Rubicon model so I can keep things simple and not have to do much to it since it will get me everywhere that I want to go as it is. I prefer to spend my time exploring the outdoors every chance I get rather than wrenching on my Jeep in the garage.

Ordered: 12-29-21
Window Sticker: 3-18-22
Delivered: 5-11-22

Here are a couple of quick photos taken with my phone yesterday when I got it home:

Saying goodbye to my 2016 JK at the dealer.

You have impeccable taste my friend, I just picked up my Sting Grey JLUR last Thursday.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Swett Creek: The Canyons of Trachyte Creek IV
Saturday & Sunday, March 4-5, 2023


This weekend Diane and I headed down to the Trachyte Creek area just north of Mount Holmes and the Little Rockies to go on an easy overnight backpacking trip into Swett Canyon. This is now the fourth year in a row that I have explored the tributaries of Trachyte Creek in early March, and it’s an area that I have enjoyed getting to know a little more intimately over these past couple of years. Since I did not get to do as much backpacking last year as I would have liked, I am hoping to change that this year starting with this hike- and I’ve already got plans for plenty more! The full story can be found here: https://adventr.co/2023/03/swett-creek/



Diane by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Swett Creek II by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Diane III by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Swett Creek III by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Swett Creek Narrows by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Swett Creek Bend by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Swett Creek Camp by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Evening View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Culvert Vision by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

 

[SaintNick]

What a great thread. I've been to a lot of these places and want to go to many more of them. My iPhone is not quite as good as your skills. I also will be doing the Deep Sleep and Vector GGB. I would love a flat floor, but my dog needs a back seat. Can't wait to move to Utah soon.

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