fourteen miles

 If you've got to do fourteen miles, you could do worse than doing it on the Pipeline Trail in SLC's Millcreek Canyon.  If you start at Rattlesnake Gulch and walk to Elbow Fork, it's cake.  (Sort of.  I mean, you're still doing fourteen miles.)

Nice day for a hike

On Saturday, A did just that, leaving the house a smidgen before 7 a.m. and getting to the Rattlesnake Gulch trailhead at quarter after 7.  Traffic was light and there were just a few cars in the trailhead parking lot.  It has literally been since the first year we moved to Utah that I've set foot in Rattlesnake Gulch.  That's how the Pipeline Trail is accessed: .7 miles basically straight up, with loose rock underfoot.  The first mile took me about 24 minutes due to footing and steepness; the second mile was almost eight minutes faster, since I was on Pipeline.  

Looking down on the road below

The temperature started in the 50s and didn't get out of the 60s; it was a mix of sun and clouds and, with the Pipeline Trail being largely shaded, it was quite pleasant for a hike.  Also, once attaining the Pipeline Trail, it is good footing, with a gradual uphill climb to Elbow Fork, with the exception of the steep, switchback-y climb from Church Fork to Burch Hollow.  I made good time, settling in for sub-20 minute miles - mostly around 17-18 minutes.

Leaves - and seasons - changing

I hit the seven mile halfway point just before Elbow Fork.  It seemed silly to turn around in a random spot on the trail, so I continued up to Elbow Fork, noting the changes wrought by this summer's construction.  I swapped out my food wrappers (bagel, fig bar, trail mix) for new food for the downhill (potato chips and Swedish fish) and kept on walking.  Per usual, my feet started hurting a bit around miles 9-10; by the time I was descending Rattlesnake Gulch they were pretty sore.  I finished up with 14.26 miles in 4:37 hours, took my trail shoes off as soon as I could and pounded a beer and a coconut water barefoot in the parking lot.

Snek

I usually do my long hikes on Sundays but picked Saturday for this hike since it was an odd-numbered day, which means off-leash dog day in Millcreek Canyon, which means fewer MTBs on the trail.  I was pretty pleased with this decision, as it would have been VERY annoying to have to step aside for many MTBs over the course of fourteen miles.  Instead, the trails were foot-traffic heavy (not that heavy, actually, I expected it to be much busier than it was) and I entertained myself (no headphones/music) by counting who I met: 40 trail runners, 89 hikers, 45 dogs, 3 MTBs and one rattlesnake (early in the morning, still so cold from the night before that he didn't even lift his head).

literal dog days of summer

On a recent weekend in Moab, we did some dog sitting for a friend.  He and his family had to go out of town for a funeral and asked us if we could watch their seven month old lab-pit mix named Marshmallow.  Of course!  We love dogs!  I mean, it's been decades since we've had a puppy in the house but we're experienced dog owners.

Same size but Marshmellow is WAY beefier

We three went over to their house the night before so Milton and Marshmallow could reacquaint themselves.  Milton met him for the first time in June (when he was MUCH smaller), and they spent the evening chasing each other around the yard.  We had brought Milton over for a second meeting in July (when he was BIGGER) and Milton was not impressed with the size or the energy.  This time, with Marsh as tall as Milt but brawnier, Milton wasn't having any of it.  Marsh wanted to play so badly and was in Milt's face; Milt issued correction after correction (barks and snaps) and the puppy just didn't get it.  An inauspicious start.

Calm in the car

Friday morning we took care of our exercising: H ended up doing a five mile trail run with M (after suffering a flat tire on his road bike just a block from hom) while A did the 10.3 mile Pipe Dream - Hidden Valley - Moab Rim hike (which was a bit of a suffer-fest as I felt dehydrated and drank nearly all my water - which I almost never do.  

Our friends dropped Marshmallow off around 1 and Milton was again unimpressed.  Our neighbor and her dog were home so we introduced them ... and Marshmallow, who had no chill at all, was sharply corrected several times by Moscow.  That night was a little rough too: although crate-trained, the puppy was nervous and cried/whined the entire night.  We all woke up exhausted and Milton couldn't believe that he was stilll with us.

Cutieeee

But it went MUCH better from there.  I took the dogs to Millcreek (Milton off-leash, Marshmallow on-leash) for four mile hikes both Saturday and Sunday mornings.  They were well-behaved in the car and Marsh loved splashing in the creek.  He did get a little out of control wanting to meet other dogs, but since he was leashed, it was easier to manage.  He never chewed anything and only had one accident on the kitchen floor; he calmed down for the second night; and he was just such a sweetie, with full-body tail wags and exuberant snuggles.

BOOP!

When his family picked him up in the early afternoon Sunday, the house seemed bigger and it was very, very quiet.  All three of us (Milton especially) were exhausted - puppies are a LOT!  Sweet, but a lot.

twenty-five (years, not miles)

On August 25, we celebrated our twenty-fifth (!)(!!)(!!!) wedding anniverary.  Amazingly, we have been out in Utah for most of our marriage, despite having met, originally lived, and married in Maine.  To celebrate the occasion, we took the day off.

This hawk was entirely unimpressed with us

First order of business was a family hike.  In Millcreek Canyon, the odd-numbered days are the off-leash dog days, so that synced up perfectly.  We didn't want to go anything too long and settled on the Desolation Trail to the Salt Lake overlook.  The last - and first, and only - time we've done this trail was back in July 2011.  After doing it again now, we are kicking ourselves for having left it for so long.  It's a great trail!  About five miles round trip, mostly shaded with mostly packed dirt underfoot, it rises steadily (about 1,200 elevation gain) but never steeply.  

Thirsty work

The fact that we were there early on a random Tuesday morning certainly helped - I suspect this trail is very, very busy on the weekends.  We encountered fewer than five people on our way up; while there were definitely more people heading in as we headed out, it wasn't ever what I'd call busy.

At the overlook

There are lots of picnic tables at the trailhead (also a four-stall outhouse), so we got out our cooler and sat in the shade, having celebratory post-hike beers and recounting some of the last twenty-five years.  We did some more recounting back at home, dragging out the photographs from our wedding (everyone was so young in 2001!).

Holy moly

And then because I decided I didn't want to cook on our anniversary, we three went to the Watershed, the local scruffy dive bar with a big vegan menu and a big dog-friendly patio.  Their misters were going full-blast; the waitresses and the bouncer fawned over Milton; and we enjoyed our vegan buffalo wings and vegan bacon (vegan) cheese (vegan) burger with great relish.  

Smooch!

Here's to the next twenty-five!

middle (august) management

On a recent, mid-August long weekend in Moab, it was still hot. (It would have been just as hot if we had stayed in SLC for that weekend, dang lingering high pressure/heat advisory.)  But you expect it in Moab: same elevation as SLC but further south.  So we did what we've been doing all summer* which is: getting up before the sun, getting on the trail at sunrise and getting our exercise done well before noon.  On the one hand, you're all WOOHOO I got all my exercise done before noon!  On the other hand, you're like OMG now what do I do, I can't crack a beer yet lol.

We drove down mid-afternoon Thursday so we could take Friday off.  Friday found all three of us on the Pipedream trail: H and M doing a five mile trail run and A doing a seven mile hike.  The fellas left first and we crossed paths as they were heading back.  It was pretty quiet out there.  Then, H did a solo 26-mile road ride on the bike path.  Then there was lunch, reading, catching up with neighbor A and, eventually, beer.

Prickly

Saturday was much like Friday, only not quite.  While H did a six+ mile Pipedream trail run, A and M instead drove to Millcreek for a four mile hike and creek splash.  We saw a trail buddy who gave us a heads-up about fairly recent bear scat in the canyon (bears have been venturing down into Moab from the LaSal mountains since the heat is impacting the vegetation they usually eat this time of year), and Milton got a bunch of dog cookies from a lady at the trail head.  After that, both H (25) and A (21) did a road ride on the bike path.  Then there was lunch, reading and, eventually, beer.

Finally, Sunday found Milton taking a rest day (after an extended neighborhood stroll) and H and A back on their road bikes.  H did 20 miles but A only managed ten, after getting a flat in the same place as her last flat, just south of the Arches NP entrance.  That's only a two-ish mile walk back to Lions Park, though, so I hike-a-biked there (three different cyclists stopped to see if I needed help) while H hied it back to the house to get the truck and the dog and come pick me up.

That was pretty much it.  We got back to the house, cleaned it and ourselves up, stopped in Green River for a delicious Krenshaw melon and were back in Sandy mid-afternoon.

* Seems like forever, really.  This has been such a hot summer - we can't wait to be cold again.  Remind me that I said that when I'm bitching about how cold January is.

pie and beer weekend

Here in Utah, July 24th is Pioneer Day, the state holiday celebrating the Mormon pioneers' arrival in 1847.  For the non-Mormons among us, it is known as Pie and Beer Day and is a welcome day off from work.  Since it fell on Friday this year, we of course loaded up the car with t-shirts and the dog and went off down to Moab.  "In July?" you say, "isn't Moab stupid-hot in July?"  Well, yes, it did hit 106F but in all honesty, it really wasn't that much cooler in SLC, thanks to the heat dome parked over the west.

Morning light against the cliffs

The heat just means you have to get up and get going early, if you're of a mind to do things outdoors.  On Friday, while H did a five mile trail run, A and Milton drove to Millcreek Canyon for a four mile hike.  The creek is still flowing, but not a lot.  We made sure to be out the door by 6 a.m., getting to the trailhead before the sun had come up over the La Sals.  This time of year, if you go early enough, this hike keeps you out of the sun until the last quarter mile or so, so it's a good one with dogs.  After the trail time, H and A got on their road bikes for a 21 mile ride along the river/up to Arches NP/back along the river.  It was a bit too late in the morning for A, however, who struggled with the growing heat.

Total goober

So on Saturday, H did a six mile trail run, and then did a solo road ride (20 miles), while A and M returned to Millcreek for a 5.8 mile hike.  This time we went up the canyon a little further, crossing over to the other side (and flailing somewhat through the prickly plant matter) for the walk back down canyon.  We paused to chat with another hiker and throw a ball for his rescue dog (Milton watched, completely baffled as to why anyone would want to chase and retrieve a ball), and then chatted briefly with our neighbor A and her dog.  She was getting an admittedly late start and decided to bail out on Millcreek and instead drive up into the mountains for a hike to Clark Lake.

Art shot!

Sunday qualified as a partial rest day in that none of us went out on foot (other than an on-leash neighborhood walk for Milton).  But H and A got on their road bikes and did another 20 miles on the bike path.  Since we hadn't gone hiking/running first, we were able to start before 7, which definitely helped with the heat.  A was faster than she'd been on Friday (but by no means fast).

Goober in motion

Other weekend activities included reading, crossword puzzles and drinking beers with friends.

hiking and riding

After A got back from her back-east/family trip, during which H and Milton got to spend ten days in Moab (not all fun and games: H had to work during the week), we all had four days at home in SLC before heading right back to Moab for the long holiday weekend.  As is evident in this blog, we go to Moab for all the long weekends, if we can, and tend to try to stretch them out by a day or two as well.  This time we went down Thursday afternoon and came back Monday afternoon.

All these teeny lizard tracks in the sand

It got hot (but not as hot as it's gonna get) down there, with temperatures increasing through the weekend.  So we made sure to get up and get going early, so that Milton could accompany us on all the Milton-accessible activities.  And when it got hot in the afternoons, we left him snoozing in his crate at home while we went to a bar to watch the World Cup group stage games.

Dunno what this one is

On Friday, while H did a two mile trail run, A and M went to Millcreek Canyon.  We got there a little after 6 a.m., just as the sun was coming up, and were the second vehicle in the parking lot.  We did our usual four mile loop - out along the rim trail, then dropping down into the canyon just above the cowboy hot tubs, then walking out along the creek.  The water is low but still flowing.  We didn't see anyone until we got below the creek juncture, and even then it was just a handful of folks.  

This one's a paintbrush

Tourism is down this time of year: people who live in Utah and Colorado know that it's just too hot for activities, so it's mostly Europeans or folks from back east who don't know any better/are locked into summer travel because of schedules.  We have friends in the hospitality industry and I know they worry during the slow season.  But gosh, for those of us who don't like crowded trailheads, this is nice, despite the early morning starts.

This one's a goofball

After the trail time, and before it heated up too much, H and A did a 21 mile road ride, along the river / up past Arches NP, back along the river.  There were very few people on the bike path but there were quite a few noseeums - ick!

spring break (back half)

 Wednesday:  Some weather actually moved in and it was cold and rainy in the morning.  Still, H and Milton did their short trail run, managing to get back before it really started raining, although they did get caught in it coming back from Dave's.  When it had dried up. A and M went out for a six-miler on Pipe Dream, while H did a solo road ride.  50s is too cold for me for biking but just fine for hiking.  After an chill afternoon of reading, A and H walked over to our friends C and F's house for some yard beers and good conversation.  The fact that they are dealing with an infestation of attic raccoons made for a lively discussion.

Desert days

Thursday: After H and M did another short trail run, A and M headed over to Millcreek for a hike that was not along Pipe Dream.  We were the first ones in the parking lot but there were several vehicles there by the time we got back.  There is water in the creek but, due to the record-low snow levels, it is way under where it should be this time of year.  Still, Milton enjoyed himself quite a lot, splashing and wading in the creek.  From there, H and A did their road ride - it was a gorgeous day and NO wind.  We took Milton out for patio beers at the Spitfire in the afternoon and he scored a piece of bacon from another customer who had been saving it for her own dog, but who just couldn't resist giving it to ours.  That evening, we made sheet pan gnocchi and roasted veggies and took it over to our neighbor for dinner together.

Prickly pear (or just prickly?)

Friday:  The weather had been quite nice all week, rainy Wednesday notwithstanding, but now it was starting to get quite a bit warmer, pushing up into the middle 80s.  H and Milton did a trail run on Pipe Dream; then A and Milton did a hike on Pipe Dream; then H and A did their road ride.  We did go out to Woody's for a quick beer, but swung by the first Arts & Ag market of the summer over at shady Swanny Park.  

Serious thorns

Saturday:  By Saturday, Milton was definitely showing some cumulative fatigue.  Still, he did a short trail run with H and a town walk with A.  He didn't even complain that much when H and A set out for their road ride.  The afternoon was spent weeding, changing smoke detector batteries, and one last beer at Woody's - where another patron left $20 in the jukebox for us to play.  

In his happy place, on a trail

Sunday:  And then it was done.  We did a shorter (16 mile) road ride, moped around, cleaned the house, moped around, packed the truck, moped around, and drove back to SLC.  Vacation over.

Now that's a view

remote

 Sometimes we go to Moab and H has to work.  That's what happened the last weekend we went down.  We'd planned to go Thursday, taking Friday off, but deadlines didn't allow it and we drove down Friday afternoon instead.  (When H let the people he was dealing with know that he would be unavailable for four hours that afternoon/evening, they were all, are you kidding?  Like it is inconceivable to city folks that there are place where you can't be online - like whilst driving through Price Canyon and the desert, for example).  

Hot dog

So H was pretty much tied to his computer all weekend.  He was able to get out for a trail run Saturday and Sunday, and I dragged him off for a Woody's beer Saturday late afternoon, but other than that, he didn't get to have much fun.  

Milton and I managed to enjoy ourselves a bit more.  Saturday we went out for a Pipe Dream/Pipeline trail loop.  We didn't leave until 8:30 a.m., however, and it ended up being a little too warm for M with the strong sunshine (6 miles).  On Sunday, we went to Millcreek a bit earlier.  There were lots of nice dogs to meet and Milton got snacks from three different people.  He also played chase with another dog towards the end of the hike and very much overdid it.  We just hung out at home for the rest of the day, reading, and it was very pleasant in the shade.  

Rabbitbrush (?)

Since we hadn't gotten to take Friday off, we took Monday instead.  Sort of.  While H worked, Milton and I did a three+ mile town walk to give him some space.  And as soon as we got back to SLC Monday afternoon, H got back on the phone/computer.  Oh well.  Sometimes it happens, and it hasn't happened much recently, so we're grateful for that.

sixteen years

Happy moveiversary to us: we moved to Utah SIXTEEN YEARS AGO!!!  On every moveiversary, I like to do a year-end summary post; like last year and the year before, this year has also seemed a little diminished.  H again preferred to focus on his trail running, so we hardly did any hiking together.  I didn't get a ski pass this year and, to be honest, didn't miss it all that much.  We are very lucky people, we know this.  And despite getting older and set in our ways, we are lucky to be able to continue to be as active as we are.  Here's what this past year - we count our "years" from October through September, given when we arrived in Utah - looked like.

October - We always start our "year" with a vacation week (ten days, really) in Moab, with hiking and MTBing and H's really successful trail marathon, plus a coyote sighting on Pipe Dream, hanging with our neighbor and cheering on the Moab 240; bought a new washing machine.

November - First snowflakes in Moab and SLC; A doesn't get a ski pass but H does get to sublet the ski locker again; new bar (to us): The Midway; A starts baking in earnest; Thanksgiving in Moab; Alta opens with a 21" base.

December - Friendsgiving with E and K; the ski bus starts; skiing for H (cold and not much snow); A's college friend and her family are in town; Christmas in Moab (porcupine tracks in Mill Canyon).

January - H takes the week between Christmas and New Year's off to ski (crazy long lines); A makes a vegan Wellington for NYE dinner; snow; coyote sighting in Dimple Dell; H has a 3.5+ hour ski bus ride home one stormy ski day; MLK Jr. long weekend in Moab (hiking and it's cold).Fe

February - Skiing and long lift lines; A gets a new library card; M enjoys going to work with H; President's Day weekend in Moab (6.5 hours and hellish driving to get there); Alta finally gets some snow; skiing.

March - A goes to Maine for a week and H and M go to Moab, missing her terribly; we do our first Sandy garage tailgate (and get chilled); turning to spring in Moab; storms at Alta; skiing.

April - Days of unhealthy air in SLC; successful foccacia baking (!); spring skiing; Easter Jeep Safari in Moab; trees in bloom in SLC; wildflowers beginning in Moab; Utah Royals game; Alta closing weekend and 534 season inches at closing.

May - Traditional spring break week in Moab (flowers, hiking, cycling, seeing N and L when they're in town for a wedding, Moonflower Co-op and renew Sand Flats annual pass); backcountry/snowshoing day at Alta; Memorial Day weekend in Moab (cookout with C and F); Dimple Dell walks for A and H; H trail-runs and cycles.

June - Yardwork begins (overdue); Pride party at E and K's; Dimple Dell walks; starting to get hot; we make our hike list hahahaha; Juneteenth in Moab (M catches a ground squirrel); H trail-runs/cycles.

July - A hikes at Alta and Snowbird; CSA starts; July 4 holiday in Moab (hiking - including return to Gold Knob - and cycling, cooler than normal); H trail-runs/cycles; Pioneer Day holiday weekend in Moab (wildfires, bowling alley beers, cookout with C and F).

August - A goes to Maine for a week and H and M go to Moab, missing her terribly; Dimple Dell walks with M; A and H get summer colds; wildflowers in the Wasatch; A hikes at Alta (including ridge run); H trail-runs/cycles.

September - Labor Day weekend in Moab (hiking, cycling, yard work); A finds new trails to hike at Alta; backyard hangout with E and K; more time in Moab; Dimple Dell walks with M; A bakes strawberry jam bars; H trail-runs/cycles.

And now, October 3rd, happy new year!

smoky

The American West is on fire.  Utah Fire Info shows (at this point) 136,000+ acres burned in state, with 135 natural starts and four times as many human starts (humans: please stop being so stupid).  That of course pales in comparison with what Arizona is going through: the Dragon Bravo Fire on the Grand Canyon's north rim has burned through over 114,000 acres - just that one fire alone.  We in the west desperately need monsoon season to start.

Sunrise Thursday

We had strung together a Moab long weekend around the Utah state holiday on July 24.  As soon as we got through Price, the wildfire smoke showed up: first from the Monroe Canyon fire near Richfield, UT, and then the blown-in smoke from the Dragon Bravo fire.  Green River's air was thick with smoke and as we turned off I-70 towards Moab, you couldn't see the LaSals.

Sunrise Friday

The smoke did clear a bit and each morning, the air quality seemed to be the best.  So Milton and I headed off to Millcreek for our hike, and H headed off to Pipe Dream for his trail run.  But by late morning, the air quality deteriorated and we were a bit reluctant to get out there on our road bikes and breathe in big lungsful.  This led to one of the least-active weekends we've ever spent but we did get a lot of books read.

Saturday sunrise

We did do a little more than that (a little).  We did some yardwork, trimming back some overhanging trees.  We rode our MTBs to the bowling alley bar for beers, just to mix it up a bit.  (For the record: bowling alley beers are not any cheaper than Main Street establishment beers, more's the pity.)  And we went to a cookout at our friends' house Saturday evening, so we were even social!

The morning light really  

shows off all the gray hairs

It was weird when we got back to Salt Lake where the air was clear - usually Moab's air is much better than SLC's.  It's so dry though.  We really, really, really need it to rain ... but without lightning, would be preferable.  Maybe monsoon season will start up soon.

Trail stats: A and M: 4 miles each day; H: 4 miles Thursday, 3 miles Friday, 5 miles Saturday. 

holiday long weekend

 What? We put together a long weekend over the holiday and went to Moab? SO UNUSUAL.  After picking up our first CSA box on Wednesday, we skedaddled down to the desert as is our wont.  The drive was uneventful and fairly light traffic-wise.  Most Utahns and Coloradans seem to give southern Utah a pass during the summer months, knowing how dang hot it is; most of the tourists are from away.  But we got a gift from the weather gods this time and the temperatures on the 3rd and the 4th didn't even hit 90s (!!!!).  And when it did warm up for the weekend, it still stayed below 100F, which we all appreciated.

Posies

Despite the cooler temperatures, we didn't veer from our usual summer activities much.  On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Milton and A did their Millcreek loop, getting to the trailhead before the sun came over the LaSals and enjoying the quiet on trail.  We did meet some nice people and dogs, and heard canyon wrens, and the creek water, while low, was cool and refreshing to walk through.

Creekside

In the late mornings, H and A then did their road rides on the bike path.  There is definitely less traffic - bike and pedestrian - on the path these mid-summer days.  That will change when we turn towards autumn, of course.  The first two rides were standard operating procedure: from the house to the river, up and then down the river, up to (and in H's case, past) Arches, up and down the river again and then home.  On Saturday, however, A got a flat tire at Arches.  We had the stuff needed to fix it - everything except any shade.  So while H rode straight home, A hike-a-biked back to Lions Park.  (A couple of kind folks, one on a MTB and one on a road bike, stopped to see if they could help.)  When H showed up in the Subaru at Lions Park, he had also brought Milton, a hat and shorts for A to change into, Gatorade and beer.  We made the best of it and enjoyed surreptitious parking lots beers while talking with tourists from Brooklyn.

The BEST boy

The late afternoons found us supporting local businesses (going out for beers) and the early evenings were spent back at home, with dinner and library books.  We aren't wild and crazy but we do know what we like.

summer has definitely arrived

 Both H's and my work recognize the Juneteenth holiday so OF COURSE we took advantage and made it into a long weekend in Moab.  It had been three (!) weeks (!!) since we'd been down there and the heat had kicked into high summer gear in the meantime; the water had evaporated from the toilet bowls (!!!).  We knew it was going to be really hot for a couple of days, and then really windy, and then a cold front was going to roll in and make things really crazy, so we planned accordingly.  This meant going to Woody's as soon as we got down there Wednesday evening, getting out of the house whilst the A/C cooled things down.

New sticker at Woody's Tavern

On Thursday, the holiday and the hottest day (104F) of the long weekend, Milton and A did an early morning hike (4 miles) at Millcreek.  Like, getting there a little after 6 a.m. early.  It was still warm, not really having cooled down overnight, but that time of morning, our route is almost all shaded, so it was actually fairly pleasant.  The creek is still flowing up there - before getting diverted and going dry through town - so Milton got to splash and wade.  H also took advantage of the relatively cool early morning temperatures to go for a 3 mile trail run on Pipe Dream.  That trail is not shaded in the morning, by the way.

Sunrise hitting the cliffs on the far side of the valley

A and H then did a road ride on the bike path: 21 miles for A, who turned around at the entrance to Arches, and 24+ for H, who continued up the hill a little further.  This would end up being the only road ride for A - it got too windy - although the vintage Schwinn did get taken out for some errands.

Such excitement (such a goober)

Saturday looked very similar to Thursday: a Millcreek four-miler for A and M; nearly five miles trail run for H; and then a shortened, twelve mile road ride for H.  It was not quite so hot (only high 90s) but it was very windy, and of course it always seems to be a headwind and never a tailwind.

It's a good day if you get slobber on your nose

on repeat (2)

 The second half of our long holiday weekend looked quite a lot like the first half.  Again, Milton and A did the Millcreek hike first thing in the morning, although on Sunday we went a little further upstream, crossing over by the beaver trees (former trees felled by beavers) and coming back down on the other side.  It had been a while since we'd been on that side and the trail has not seen nearly as much foot traffic, even fading out in a couple of places.

Cobbles exposed

There was certainly plenty of foot traffic in the left hand fork of the canyon, where the waterfalls are.  Sunday was apparently the busiest day: on Monday, we talked with a guy who was housesitting in one of the homes near the entrance to the canyon and he said that cars were parking all the way out to the main road and three separate ambulances came in Sunday to rescue people.  Sorry we missed that (sarcasm).

Still shady this early

H and A's late morning bike rides were similar too: A did the 21 mile version while H went a little further, starting up the hill past the Arches NP entrance a ways to put together a 24 mile ride. On Monday, the ranger hanging out at the Arches entrance told A that they only had to have one ambulance on Sunday, so Arches for the win!

Like having my own private canyon

The Moab Arts Fest was going on all weekend, and they lucked out on the weather, as after Friday high temperatures didn't even get to 90 - a gift for this time of year.  And we lucked out too, as we were able to keep windows and doors open a lot of the time and the A/C didn't even come on.  Pretty sure at least that will be diffferent the next time we get down there.  

alfjk;asd

on repeat (1)

We go to Moab a lot (obviously).  And sometimes when we're there, we just don't feel like driving to go do stuff.  There are trailheads for hiking and MTBing everywhere and some of them require a lot of driving from town; going to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands requires 45 minutes in the car, for example.  So when we don't feel like driving, we tend to repeat the same trails, like Pipe Dream or Millcreek (which, yes, technically requires driving but only five minutes).  When we were down in Moab over Memorial Day weekend, we did not feel like driving and fighting the crowds.

Funky little flower

Thus, the first two days of the long weekend looked very similar.  First thing in the morning, Amanda and Milton did a four mile Millcreek Canyon hike, getting there early before the hordes.  We went out along the rim trail, then dropped down to the creek for the return.  We only saw a couple of people out on the trail but by the time we got back to the parking lot, the cars were starting to roll in.  Temperatures were super nice, especially in the shade.

The water is low but still flowing

After the hike, H and A switched gears (literally haha) and went for a 21 mile road ride along the bike path.  This entails going north out of town, then out and back along the Colorado River, then across the pedestrian bridge over the river and up to the Arches National Park entrance, then going back across the bridge, out and back along the river stretch and then back home.  The traffic on the bike path definitely increased from Friday to Saturday as more tourists rolled into town.

Cowboy hot tubs

Our Friday and Saturday evenings did differ slightly.  Friday found us at Woody's and then with a backyard firepit, watching the stars come out.  But on Saturday we went to C and F's house for a BBQ with several of their friends.  They've got a great backyard, cool and shady, and as it was a little cooler than Friday, the afternoon/evening was quite pleasant.

recovery

 After the big race, H was supposed to recover for 72 hours.  So Sunday morning, A and Milton did 4.7 miles out and back on Pipedream (1:38 hours).  We had to re-route a little bit to give a wide berth to a coyote who was being very vocal about our presence.  (Milton didn't seem to care but A was nervous.)  

Pipedream

When we safely returned, A and H did a 21 mile road ride on the bike path (1:30 hours) because obviously a 21 mile bike ride is "recovery."  And later that evening, we "recovered" further, catching up with our neighbor and her dog.  Milton even chewed on a tennis ball!  (He only does dog things like that when he's with another dog.  Never when he's alone.)

Dog things

On Monday, A and Milton did their usual Millcreek loop (just under 4 miles - I was sure that it was longer than that).  H and A did a repeat of the 21 mile road ride since H was still recovering.  We attempted beers at Josie Wyatt's but the $2 draft PBRs are still flat.  Bleh.

Millcreek

fifteen years

Happy moveiversary to us: we moved to Utah FIFTEEN YEARS AGO!!!!  On every moveiversary, I like to do a year-end summary post; like last year, this year has seemed a little diminished.  I didn't sprain my ankle this time, but it was very, very hot this summer, plus H was really focusing on developing his trail running, so we hardly did any hiking.  I only got a ten-pack pass for the 2023/2024 ski season so my ski days were far below the 40+ days I used to have when we first moved here.  Of course, our ski days are down because we are able to go to Moab whenever we want to, and there really shouldn't be any complaining about missing days at Alta because we're instead in Moab.  We are very lucky people.  And we are lucky to be able to continue to be active.  Here's what we did this past year, in broad strokes, for everyone who didn't read through the actual posts.  (Hi, Linda and Perry!  We know you read them!)

October - We had our fall break week (ten days, really) in Moab, with hiking and MTBing and A's first road ride on her "new" (1990s vintage) Cannondale; our CSA winds down (we learned that Milton likes squash so that's good); Dimple Dell walks.

November - An early first snow and then beautiful weather for the first part of the month, and then it got very November-y towards the end; Thanksgiving in Moab, with a T'giving morning hike with our neighbors and separate hike with other friends; Alta opens over T'giving weekend.

December - Skiing starts but not much snow to start; we sublet a ski locker in the Goldminer's Daughter basement and it is awesome; A starts cooking a lot and skis once; Christmas in Moab.

January - H takes the week between Christmas and New Year's off to ski; A actually makes a real loaf of bread, with yeast; MLK Jr. long weekend in Moab; H starts trail running; Alta gets 87" of snow in one storm cycle; skiing.

February - A does the ME/FL family thing and H and Milton go to Moab; Vertical Diner (so good) and RoHa Brewing with friends E and K; more snowstorms; it begins to get busier in Moab; skiing.

March - A goes to her first drag show (so good); more snowstorms; Alta hits 500 inches; H does an eight mile trail run (his longest); farewell to L and N (two of our Moab neighbors, heading off to new adventures); A plays hooky to ski midweek; H has some deep powder days.

April - We catch the last weekend of Jeep Safari in Moab and say safe travels to neighbor A (heading off to Alaska to fish for the summer); skiing, including gnarly canyon ski bus rides, A playing hooky again, gorgeous spring ski days, tailgating, closing weekend and 621 inches at closing.

May - We make our list of proposed hikes (hahahaha); spring break week in Moab (and snow in the yard in Sandy upon our return); shoulder season; backyard beers with E and K; Memorial Day weekend in Moab.

June - Slow start to hiking because of so much snow in the mountains; poppies growing in our Sandy yard; Gherkin at Josie Wyatt's; road riding in Moab; A goes to Maine for a week, and H and M go to Moab; backyard BBQ with E and K; MTB in Park City; A hikes Grandeur Peak; H does a 9 mile trail run (longest to date).

July - CSA starts; July 4 holiday in Moab; A hikes Elbow Fork/Terraces and her Alta "exercise loop" multiple times; H goes to NY; Moab flooding; road riding and creek hiking in Moab.

August - H does a 12 mile trail run (longest to date); wildflowers go off (Alta and Snowbird hikes); CSA; road riding and creek hiking in Moab; H does 13.1 mile trail run (longest to date); watermelon margaritas.

September - H does 15 mile trail run (longest to date); A hikes Alta; road riding and creek hiking in Moab; more flooding in Moab; A gets a tattoo; CSA; H does 20 mile trail run (!!!); something new to close the month: City of Rocks camping trip.

And here we go - the next year commences now!

reruns but the desert so it's okay

We were back in Moab for Labor Day weekend, and delighted that it was slightly cooler, as in highs only in the mid 90s.  The fact that we were "delighted" by those temperatures means we have truly given up our east coast cards.  Truly, though, the weather was great with mostly clear skies, which allowed it to cool off overnight.  Good stuff.

A Millcreek morning

Also good stuff: our neighbor is home from her summer commercial fishing in Alaska!  She bought a new boat this year, so it was a bit of a learning curve with the engine and mechanics and new fishing gear.  But she learned a lot, is set up for next spring, and both she and her sweet dog made it all safely.  We spent several hours over the course of the weekend in her shady backyard, drinking beers and hearing her stories while Milton and Moscow did dog stuff.

This is where Millcreek flooded by the Youth Garden Project

Outdoors/exercise-wise, our activities looked a lot like they have all summer.  On Friday morning, while H did a five mile trail run, A and M went to Millcreek.  The monsoonal floods have made a mess from the confluence on down, dropping lots of sand and actually making the lower creekside trail pretty flat to walk on.  Later that morning, A and H did a sixteen mile bike path road ride - H was on his MTB because we hadn't brought his road bike with us, planning for him to use his cruiser for bike path rids, but his cruiser had a flat tire so MTB it was.  Unfortunately, the flooding has completely taken out the part of the path by the vet's office - and if I were the owner of the house next door, I would be getting very, very nervous.

Circle O morning

Saturday H had planned for a longer trail run, so we all piled into the car and drove out to Moab Brand Trails.  H and M did eight+ miles while A did her Circle O loop (across the parking lot cutover to Bar M, to Circle O (counterclockwise), back to Bar M, back to the cutover).  A then did a solo bike path ride (21 miles) because H didn't feel like lugging his heavy MTB all that way.  Can't blame him.

Nervous but festive

For Sunday, while H recovered with a 4.7 mile trail run on Pipe Dream, A and M went up to Sandflats Recreation Area for a quick practice loop walk.  We met a couple of nice dogs and found a very interesting (if you find scat interesting haha) poop out on the rocks.  It was full of prickly pear fruits and too big to be coyote ... could it have been a bear?!!?  There are definitely bears in the La Sal mountains so it's not out of the realm of possibility that a bear wandered down towards town.  Later, A did another 21 mile solo road ride.  Sure do like that little Cannondale - super glad that I bought it.

Moody Sandflats morning

Finally, on Monday, H did a short three miler while A and M went back for the Millcreek loop.  Then, after much debate about avoiding traffic (leaving before noon on Monday or leaving at 4 a.m. on Tuesday so H didn't miss an early meeting), we opted to leave early to hopefully get ahead of the holiday traffic.  We got held up less than half an hour coming down into Spanish Fork, so I guess we did get ahead of most of it, and were back in Sandy with enough time for a long holiday weekend beer perched on the tailgate of the truck.  As one does.

Scat photo below.  Apologies for those who think it's gross - just keep scrolling.