christmas in the desert (2)

It was absolutely gorgeous Monday morning (not least because we weren't at work).  Once it warmed up, Milton and I prevailed upon H to do a short hike with us.  We drove north out of town, then parked in the large-ish lot between the highway and the bike path before you get to Moab Brand Trails.  This is where the MTB trail Killer B can be accessed.  

Heading up Killer B

Longbranch

We went up Killer B (very steep switchbacks or an alternate hiking trail) to Longbranch (I really liked this stretch with its varied terrain) to a short stretch of Deadman's Ridge, which dropped quickly to the paved bike path.  We walked down the paved path - keeping an eye out for descending cyclists (of which there were none) - and then jumped on a short portion of Sidewinder, then finished up our loop on the paved path.  We had never done any of Longbranch, Deadman's Ridge or Sidewinder before so it was good to tick some of those off; we just need to finish the other bits of DMR and SW to have done all the trails at Moab Brand Trails, either on foot or on MTB.  (Distance: 4.11 miles)

Teeny arch at the Long Branch

and Deadman's Ridge intersection

It was a little cloudier Christmas Eve day.  H wanted to trail run and Milton, refusing to admit to any cumulative fatigue, wanted to go with him.  We all three went up to Sandflats Recreation Area where we had to share the Slickrock parking lot with all of four other vehicles - and only saw one dirtbiker while we were out on the actual trail.  H and Milt did a five mile run while A did an hour's hike, out just past the Abyss overlook and back.  (A also gashed her finger on a port-o-potty slide bolt and WOW let me tell you that it stung to rub hand sanitizer into it.)

At the Abyss overlook

We swung by Josie Wyatt's for a couple of $2 PBRs (Woody's being closed Xmas Eve and Xmas Day) and then that was about the end of it.  In the morning, we called our families to wish them merry things, did a 3.1 mile town walk, cleaned the house and then headed north to SLC.  There was weather due to come in but we avoided it and, being Christmas, the traffic was really quite light for the drive.  

Comin' in hot

It was about as un-Christmas-y as you could possibly get, with low key trail time, beers with friends and lots of crossword puzzles and reading.  But it was also relaxing and quiet and pressure-free - which is the greatest gift of all.