blown away

By Tuesday it had gotten hot (i.e., into the 90s F), so we planned to do our hike up in the La Sals: higher elevations = cooler temperatures.  To make a loop of at least part of it, we (Milton included) drove north of town and followed the Colorado River to Castle Valley where we picked up the La Sal Loop Road.  We parked in one of the trailhead parking lots where the Kokopelli and Whole Enchilada trails cross the road and where there were several shuttles dropping off MTBers to do the lower section of the WE.  Although the WE trail is super-popular/busy, at this time of year most folks were doing the lower section; we only encountered three MTBers coming down from Burro Pass.

 Hold onto your hat!

It was CRAZY windy, by the way.  Like, hold onto your hat windy, even with the chinstrap.  I was getting an earache - and worrying a bit about my eardrum in the windward ear.  We did the section called the Hazard County trail, up and across Bald Mesa, from the La Sal Loop Road to Warner Lake campground, and back again.  When we were in the trees it wasn't so bad but out on the mesa, the wind was nuts, and even windier when we headed back down.

This little guy outsmarted our dog

The trail is single-track, dirt and some loose rock, with some tight switchbacks in places.  When we got up on Bald Mesa, the views were fantastic, with the red rock of Moab and Castle Valley spread out below us and the still snow-capped La Sals looming overhead.  

Sure doesn't look like the desert

The Hazard County trail ends at the Warner Lake road; the Whole Enchilada trail follows the road up, then jumps on more single-track to circumnavigate the campground and continue to Burro Pass.  We walked through stunning aspen groves to the lake (pond, really), making sure to talk loudly and blow our whistles from time to time - there had been relatively fresh bear scat on the road just outside the campground.

Beautiful aspen groves

With everything still closed for the pandemic, we had the lake and campground to ourselves, so we checked out the lovely little cabin ($50/night, sleeps four, closed until further notice) before retracing our steps.  Too windy for beers back at the truck, we kept going on the loop road to Ken's Lake.  It was still ridiculously windy there - we had intended to give Milton swimming lessons but it was wasn't pleasant enough to do more than huddle behind the truck and rehydrate with oat sodas.  Swimming lessons will have to wait for another time.

Bear poop!

Hike stats:  8.17 miles; moving 2:46/3.0 m.p.h.; overall 3:20/2.4 m.p.h.; 2,200' elevation

Would love to rent this cabin someday