couple of hikes

The powers that be un-diverted the right-hand fork of Millcreek from the Pack Creek firefighting efforts and it's running again, much to the relief of area wildlife and dog hikers.  On Saturday, H dropped Milton and me off at the trailhead just before 7 a.m. and then headed back with his MTB to Moab Brand Trails where he did the same ride we'd done Friday, without Circle O and without crashing.  Milt and I were the first ones there and the only ones there for a while; we didn't even see another person until we were more than halfway back out at 9:20.  Which is not to say we were the only ones there: we scared up a big mule deer doe not too far from the left-hand/right-hand creek juncture.

A river runs through it again

There was enough water to refill all the pool and although there isn't a huge flow (whether due to time of year or some continued diversion, I don't know), there is enough that the tadpoles and minnows have come back.  Milton happily splashed and waded - even successfully swimming a little bit - as canyon wrens trilled their songs from the cliff walls.  When we got to the upper cowboy hottubs, we crossed the creek and walked on the shady side, managing to stay almost entirely out of the sun until after 9 a.m.  We went up to the hitching post by the Steel Bender 4x4 intersection, pausing there for snacks.  Other than bird song, it was still and very quiet.

The sun also rises

Just to mix things up, we walked in the creek for some of the way back.  We met seven dogs on our way out but it really wasn't that busy, not for a weekend.  We texted H, who'd gotten home after his ride, and he came and picked us up - service with a smile!

Quiet morning

On Monday, Milt and I did the same hike (it's really too hot to take a dog without water), with pretty much the same results: not that busy, sticking to the shady side, canyon wrens, etc.  One noted difference: when H came to pick us up this time, he brought the cooler and we had a couple of mid-morning parking lots beers, as one does on a holiday.  One envious guy parked nearby half-jokingly asked if he could buy a PBR off us but his disapproving wife put a kibosh on that and we didn't have to share.  

Lizard?!!??!?