half enchilada

There was an ulterior motive for the increasingly-longer hikes A did this past summer: training to hike half of the Whole Enchilada MTB trail in October.  (Technically, what I did was somewhere between half and three-quarters, but "Half Enchilada" is easier to say.)  The WE is an iconic Moab MTB trail, starting way up in the La Sal mountains and dropping over 7,000 feet in 28 miles to the Colorado River.  I have always wanted to ride the WE but have come to abandon that dream - there is no way I will ever be a good enough MTBer for it.  But I can [section-]hike it.

At the start

We've actually done a lot of the WE over the years as short day hikes (the Hazard County portion, middle and lower parts of the Porcupine Rim, little bits up by Warner Lake).  What I was fixing to do was to hop on where Hazard County segues to the Kokopelli Trail at the La Sal loop road and then walk to the river; that would leave just the very first part up to Geyser Pass untrodden.  We settled on Tuesday for me to do it, having noticed over the years that Tuesdays seem to be the least busy in Moab; since the WE is a very popular trail, I wanted to be on it with as few MTBers as possible.

UPS

The only problem with waiting until October is that you have to wait for the sun to come up.  About 6:45 a.m. we three got in the truck and drove to the trailhead.  This took 45+ minutes (it was a little further than we remembered it being) so it was light enough when we got there, although the sun hadn't come up over the mountains yet.  I shouldered my pack (fairly heavy with extra water, lots of snacks, a first aid kit, knife, whistle and a long sleeved shirt for sun protection), waved goodbye to H and M, with promises to text my progress, and headed off down the Jimmy Keen connector to the Kokopelli Trail.

LPS

It took a couple of miles for my nerves to calm - I was a little worried about black bears and/or mountain lions, plus I had about eighteen miles ahead of me - but soon I settled into it.  It was cool and quiet, with no one else around and fantastic views.  I was just on JK for a quarter mile, then followed the Kokopelli, which is a kind of boring, rutted 4x4 road in that bit, to the Upper Porcupine single-track.

Castle Valley overlook

Because the WE is such a popular trail, it is very well-signed.  The UPS (and the next section, the Lower Porcupine single -track) is in part of the Sand Flats Recreation Area, so there were a number of exit options to the Sand Flats road, campgrounds/pit toilets and the Raptor Route MTB trails.  I crossed paths with two MTBers on the UPS (hike running total: 3.6 miles) and the LPS but as it was so early, my guess was they had gotten on the trail from one of the campgrounds.

From whence I came

The LPS connects with the Porcupine Rim trail near the Castle Valley overlook (7.5 miles).  This is the last chance to bail out: the Porcupine Rim segment is eleven miles and pretty much the only way out is through.  The first half of the PR is also a combination trail, both MTB as the WE and a 4x4 route.  This bit was probably my least favorite: it was getting hotter and since it's a 4x4 road, it's wide and loose and rocky.

The PR is forever

When the WE and the 4x4 road diverge (12 miles), I felt like it was the home stretch (not quite).  I switched to my long sleeve shirt and kept on walking, now back on single-track.  It was on this segment that I finally started to encounter MTBers (14 miles), making their way down the WE.  The trail goes along the rim of Jackass Canyon, where I got my first glimpse of the Colorado River.  But when the WE turns to follow the cliffs above the river, there are still two miles to go - which was a bit of a mental blow.

First view of the Colorado River

No way out but through, though, so I kept going, drinking my water, getting out of the way of descending MTBers (only thirteen all told) and making it to the end of the WE where H and Milton were waiting for me.  With beer, coconut water and Gatorade!  I ended up walking 17.84 miles in 6 hours and 16 minutes, suffered no blisters (although I was a little worried about that), tried to eat from my snacks (soy curl jerky, Swedish fish, trail mix, fig bars and homemade potato chips) every three miles and made sure to drink water every mile at a minimum.

Finished!

I can see the appeal of a long distance through-hike where your main/only job is to put one foot in front of the other.  I didn't listen to any music or other media, just tromped along quietly for six hours.  I'm really glad I did it and am really glad I trained for it: although my feet and lower back were a little sore, my legs felt fine, even after all that distance.

It's important to hydrate post-exercise

csa wrap up

 Well, anyone who was coming here for the CSA content (lol), I apologize.  I just didn't keep up with it, especially trying to get halfway decent photos - although we did keep up with our CSA boxes as best we could.  Box #13 had a variety of apples, a couple of corn on the cob, some tomatoes, an onion or two, potatoes, an acorn squash, a butternut squash, green peppers and some Anaheim chiles.  We weren't able to pick up #14 so we paused it and instead got two boxes at our last pick-up for the season.  This meant we got two winter squashes (a butternut and a spaghetti), two pie pumpkins, 4 ears of corn, two red onions and lots of potatoes and apples.  

Corn on the cob in mid-October?  The last few ears have been a little starchy and tough, so rather than battle our way through that again, I cut the kernals off the cobs, parcooked them and froze the corn for future use (I haven't had corn chowder in about a million years ...).  I processed about half the apples we've got (we have a LOT of apples) into apple pie filling; I'll do more of that and also some applesauce, which is easier, for the rest as they aren't our favorite apples for eating fresh.  And all those squashes?  Well, just this morning I roasted a pumpkin, an acorn and one of the butternuts - all for Milton.  That boy loves his squash.

Squishy squashes

falling back on an old favorite

 I didn't have a huge hike planned for this weekend, so on Sunday, after the sun came up enough to brighten the sky, I headed up to Alta to do my new favorite eight mile loop.  It had been over a month since I was up there and the differences were stark.

Aspens aglow

For one, the wildflowers?  Way past peak.  Everything is brown and gold and crispy right now.  I didn't see a single bride or influencer!  As I made my way up to Catherine's Pass through the Albion meadows, it was so cool and quiet.  While there were cars in both the lower and the upper lots, it was so much less crowded.  I saw one trail runner and one hiker on my way up; there were six other hikers at Catherine's Pass when I got there.

Moody scene

It had been a glorious 46 F when I started hiking, which meant I wore some light fleece gloves for the first 1.5 miles until my hands warmed up.  I had to put them on again about halfway down when a light breeze picked up.  It was wonderful being a little bit chilly again after the hot summer we've had.

Definitely past peak (still pretty, I think)

There were a good number of critters out and about with me: lots of those little ground squirrels that look like skinny chipmunks, two different sets of a mule deer doe with nearly-grown twin fauns, and some very chunky pikas who meeped loudly at me as I went traipsing by.

Just before the cutest pika ever started meeping at me

As I came out through the campground (closed), there were definitely more hikers milling about, heading towards Cecret Lake.  It was nothing like it had been in July, though, and I was appreciative of that.  Where were all the people?  It sure seemed like they were heading to Snowbird's Oktoberfest: there's only two weekends left, so if you're looking to get your 'fest on, get going!

Squatchin'

csa box the twelfth

I know that this year was a terrible year for Utah farmers, what with the early warmth that made the fruit trees flower too soon, only to be taken out by two severe cold snaps, plus the very very hot and very very dry summer.  I also enjoy supporting local businesses whenever possible (the smaller the better).  All that being said, I found this past week's CSA box #12 to be a bit underwhelming.  We got a small watermelon, an acorn squash, a couple of ears of corn, a bunch of apples, an onion or two, a green pepper or two and a decent number of (really dirty) potatoes.

The corn we ate right away and while the smaller ear was pretty good, the larger one was subpar.  I chunked up the watermelon and unfortunately it was not as good as the prior week's - a little mushy this time.  The acorn squash I roasted and mashed for Milton (that dog loves his squash) and the apples will be made into apple pie filling for the freezer.  The onions, potatoes and peppers will get eaten, for sure, it just wasn't that exciting a box this time.    

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).

csa box the eleventh

 Box #11?  Already?  I mean, I'm ready for summer to be over (way too long and hot) but I'd really like fall to last a long time.  But box #11 means we're almost at the end.  I didn't take a photo this week but this is what we got: a carton of raspberries (kind of squishy but still tasty), a small watermelon, a tomato, some plums (squishy, unfortunately), apples, two red onions, two lemon cucumbers, a couple of ears of corn, some tomatillos, jalapenos and some purple-skinned potatoes.

The corn, berries and melon were all eaten fresh; the watermelon was much better than the last one we got.  I made the tomatillos, an onion and a couple of jalapenos into a chile verde-ish sauce that we ate with rice and beans.  The potatoes got turned into baked potato chips (really good snacks for hiking since they're salty and carby).  And I'm going to quick-pickle those weird little cucumbers, I guess, because I can't think of what else to do with them.

twelve miles

 Another incremental increase to A's hiking: twelve miles on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail on Sunday.  It hadn't cooled off quite as much as I had hoped overnight, with a 7:15 a.m. temperature in the low 70s.  But the sun was still behind the Wasatch mountains, and it was partly cloudy and windy, so conditions were better than they could have been.  The BST is dry and dusty (we need rain) and I pretty much had it to myself from the Hidden Valley Park trailhead to the Corner Canyon trails.

Views of the south valley

At Corner Canyon East Bench trailhead (or thereabouts), I veered off the BST and kept heading up into Corner Canyon on the old dirt road.  The road climbs steadily the whole way for another 2.5ish miles to the Peakview trailhead.  That trailhead parking lot was pretty full: I was starting to see more MTBers at this point.  When the dirt road ended, I still needed some distance to hit my six mile turnaround, so I got on the Hoof-and-Boot trail (hikers/runners and horses only - no bikes).  This was a great trail - at least this portion of it - packed dirt switchbacking through gambel oaks beneath the cloud-covered Lone Peak cirque.  

Hoof and Boot

At 6.1 miles I turned around and went back to the car exactly how I'd gone out.  I saw a couple of wild  turkeys and a red-tailed hawk.  I was trying to be good about eating (a slab of savory zucchini bread, homemade potato chips, a raspberry fig bar and some Swedish fish) and remembered to drink water every mile at a minimum.  There were more folks on the BST for the return - the suspension bridge was actually crowded.  I got back to the car in just over four hours (12.15 miles, 4:08 hours) and was happy to get my trail shoes off, just as a little bit of rain blew through.  No blisters - yay!

Lone Peak in the clouds

giving thanks

Due to work schedules, we weren't able to drive down to Moab until Wednesday morning, Thanksgiving Eve.  This actually worked out well: we were packed up and on the road by 7 a.m., rolling into town well before 11 and with no traffic to deal with.  We unloaded and unpacked, and then H and Milton went for a trail run on Pipe Dream (4 miles) while A did a town walk (3.2 miles) to see what was happening in town.  It was busier than we expected, no doubt due to the very nice weather we were having as well as complete lack of snow in northern Utah.

Not the winning cards

We did stroll over to Woody's for a beer and were inadvertently sucked into Bingo night, which was very well attended by the locals.  During the shorter and shorter off season, Woody's makes an effort to become more of a community resource, with Bingo, trivia, karaoke, Science Moab talks and other events to bring in local engagement.  It may be a scruffy dive bar but it's got heart.

Not a cloud in sight

It was absolutely gorgeous Thanskgiving morning: clear and bright and warming into the 40s with only a light breeze.  After we let it warm up a bit, we did a family hike at the Navajo Rocks MTB trail system.  We parked at the lower lot and walked up towards the upper lot, putting together a six mile out-and-back.  The parking lot was nearly full when we got back to the car and we watched MTBers and trail runners coming and going as we had post-hike beers.

At the midpoint

We had invited our neighbor to come over for Tgiving dinner but she already had plans.  So it was just us with our vegan pot pies (with stuffing instead of top crust - delicious), mashed potatoes and gravy.  Carbs for everyone!

Marie Callender frozen pie crusts 

are accidentally vegan - woohoo!

 

pleasant little jaunt

Milton had a vet appointment scheduled for Monday (teeth cleaning and removal of a small lipoma on his right rear leg - all went well and he is nearly all recovered, just mostly annoyed at having antibiotics shoved down his throat twice daily and having to wear a cone for two weeks), and we had to go back to SLC on Tuesday, so our best bet for a hike was Sunday.  It was another beautiful day - not cloudy, as forecast - so we three loaded up in the truck and headed out of town, down the Potash Road to Culvert Canyon/Jeep Arch.  We didn't get the earliest start, lingering over Dave's coffee and waiting for it to warm up, but there were only a couple of cars there ahead of us.

Local humor at Dave's Corner Market

H and I had both opted to wear shorts, despite the temperatures being in the 40s (high 40s), and within fifteen minutes both of us had shed our long sleeved outer layers; with the strong sunshine, 40s/50s is super pleasant in the desert.  We did our regular route, opting for the left hand veer of the loop, so we would come to the arch clockwise.

H going into the light

When Jeep Arch was in view, we did see a couple of people silhouetted beneath the arch, but they had moved on by the time we got there.  We didn't linger, continuing around the loop, and then dropping into the canyon wash when we were able.  

That one pop of yellow

It was like we were the only people on earth, making our way down the wash.  There was enough water in spots that Milton could wade, although the pools looked pretty stagnant.  (He didn't care.)  There were a number more cars at the trailhead when we exited the culvert, but our people-free experience just proves that earlier is better if you don't want crowds.  Hike stats: just under 4 miles, which is always shorter than I think.

Looking back from whence we came

On the way back, we pulled over along Wall Street so we could watch the rock climbers while we had surreptitious post-hike beers and snacks.  There were all kinds of people there: college kids, families with kids, 30-somethings, tourists taking photos of the rock art and a 70+ year old trail runner who'd won his age group in Saturday's trail marathon.

That hole was the size of a quarter

Gorgeous day, no notes.

can't be mad tho'

It has been unseasonably warm and dry this October/first half of November (How many years do we say it's "unseasonably warm" before we accept the fact that the climate has changed and warmer is the new normal?  Asking for a friend.) and it's throwing off all the ski resorts, having to push their opening days back, and then back again, and then back again.  Brian Head had very optimistically said they were going to open November 7 ... as of the date of this writing, they're hoping for November 21.  Also 11/21: Alta and Park City.  Solitude is shooting for 11/19, Snowbird 11/27 and Snowbasin 11/28.  All subject to change, of course, which it definitely will do unless the weather also changes.

In-town colors

In the meantime, the unseasonably warm and dry fall weather has been very enjoyable, especially down in Moab.  Both H and I had Veteran's Day (Tuesday) off of work and we finagled a long weekend out of it by taking Monday as well, driving down Friday mid-afternoon.  Traffic was much less through Utah County and between Spanish Fork and Price, but it sure seemed like Main Street was hopping when we got to Moab, with lots of folks in town for the Moab Folk Festival.  Fewer side-by-sides, more post-modern hippies.  (Who am I kidding?  There's never fewer side-by-sides.)  We swung by Woody's Friday night for a post-drive decompression beer, and got to catch up with our friend C, which was great as we hadn't been sure we'd get to see him this weekend.

Dry Anasazi beans (got

'em at Moonflower Co-op)

Despite being forecasted for overcast, Saturday was pretty clear.  Chilly to start, but warming up nicely as the sun rose higher.  A and Milton set out for a Pipe Dream hike first, then H followed later for a trail run.  The dog abandoned me for H as he passed us on the first leg of the out-and-back; I had to leash Milton so he'd stay with me when H came back by.  That last bit was less fun for both of us, but at least he towed me up the hills.  (H: 4.86 miles; A: 4.5 miles; M: somewhat more than that).

Over 600 miles on the one on the

right - time for new shoes

Determined to enjoy the afternoon, we three walked to the Spitfire later for beers (FYI pitchers are not any better a deal than by the glass), then had an early backyard firepit with our neighbor A and her dog.  Both H and neighbor A are early to bed people so the time change (even though we hate it) at least allows some star-gazing before bedtime.

fall things

 Somehow, the autumn shoulder season seems shorter than the spring one: in the spring, you have to wait for the snow to melt to get out and do things in the mountains, but in the fall, you have to wait for it to snow to go out and do things in the mountains (and the ski areas get cranky if you tromp around on their newly-made snow).  Solitude says they'll open in a couple of weeks and Alta is claiming three weeks to open.  But it is over 60F and brilliantly sunny on the first Sunday in November so I feel like they may be being optimistic.

Not like New England colors,

but still pretty

We didn't have much planned for the first November weekend.  Milton and I did our five mile Dimple Dell loop both Saturday and Sunday mornings; the strong sunshine made it feel warmer than the high 40s.  H got a little chilled but managed a road ride both mornings, pretty much the latest in the season he tends to ride in SLC.  We did a bunch of chores - laundry, sweeping out the garage (oh boy did it need it), making soups and chocolate chip cookies, vacuuming (oh boy did it need it).  And, with the gorgeous weather, we felt compelled to do a tailgate in the garage while we still could.  I'm sure our neighbors can't wait for it to get cold enough for us to do our drinking indoors.

the watershed

 On Saturday, we hooked up with E and K (Milton's girlfriends) and went for lunch and beers at the newly-rechristened Watershed in Midvale.  Formerly The Midway, once their Bar Rescue contract was up, they immediately renamed the venue, got rid of all the kitchy carnival decor and improved their patio set-up with a roof, windbreak and big gas firepits.  They had also recently instituted a big vegan menu, in addition to their regular one, and we felt that it was important to go check it out.  Also: beer.

E and K were already on the patio, cozied up to a firepit with a bloody mary and seasonal pumpkin spice white russian.  After ordering our beers and checking with the waitress, H fetched Milton from the car to join us.  Our waitress was smitten as M turned his charm on her and the other folks sitting next to us.

So needy

Despite the road noise (900 East, just south of Ft. Union), it was quite nice there on the patio.  The firepits are surrounded by shelves for food and beers, although the glasses did get pretty warm.  We talked with the bartender and he was enthused for it to get even colder, saying that he figured it would stay relatively comfortable well into the winter.

So flirty

Food-wise, we all ate off the vegan menu.  K got the buffalo wrap (okay/would not get again but really good garlic fries); E got the vegan nachos (huge and quite good); H got the garlic cheeseburger (not overly garlicky and Beyond Burgers are not his favorite, although that is a personal preference not a dis); and I got the costra tacos with vegan asado (delicious but super-messy, and the salsa was excellent and spicy).  The vegan asado was also a Beyond product and I have to admit that I really wasn't sure that it was plant-based.  

So, a bar with a dog-friendly patio and decent vegan bar food, only a 10-15 minute drive from our house?  Bravo, The Watershed - we'll be back.

vacation middle (2)

We mostly have good weather in Moab, it being a desert and all.  But Wednesday was really the last good weather day of our vacation week.  And I think we did a pretty good job of taking advantage of it.

Gap as we made our way down

While H did a five mile trail run and an 24.3 mile road ride, A and M hiked down Grandstaff Canyon, from the Sandflats antenna to the Colorado River.  We've done this several times before, most recently just in July (the Squirrel Episode).  We may not do it again for a while.  In July, it wasn't too overgrown but this last time, the going was tough once we got down to the creek.  Numerous times we just couldn't press through - forcing our way through Russian thistle over the dog's head left me badly scratched - and we scrambled up high, along one of the benches for much more of the upper hike than we have in the past.  Milton is such a good hiker, really agile and good at finding the trail, but the prickly parts weren't fun for him either.

Art al fresco

We made it out and H picked us up, having packed lunch and beers for some post-hike picnicing at our spot above the bike path/river.  That afternoon, after getting cleaned up, we walked to the in-town ball fields to meet our friends C and F and watch their four year old son play soccer.  That kid is far better than anyone else on his team and scored like eight times in a fifteen minute game.  After that, we strolled back to their house for a yard beer, and when it was time for their son's dinner, bid them farewell and strolled over to Woody's for a bar beer.

From whence we came

Thursday brought some rain.  We tried to time it for activities and did pretty well, all things considered.  A and M did a 2.2 mile town walk while H did a 4 mile trail run.  After a late morning grocery run (A had to shelter under a tree for a few minutes on the walk back), the weather cleared up.  H and A got their bike ride in and, more than that, rode all the way up "the hill" on the bike path (28.4 miles, 2:19 time because I'm slow), going up past the entrance to Arches National Park, all the way to the first kiosk at the Moab Brand MTB trails.  Having gotten my bike in for service pre-vacation certainly helped with the shifting and braking - I still much, much prefer riding up hills than down them.

Appreciate that sky

vacation middle (1)

 Monday was another beautiful, clear, temperate day, and we three did a family hike at Amasa Back.  I love this hike: going up Hymasa to the Colorado River overlook, then returning via the jeep road.  It's an acceptable length (just under six miles), never too steep, with some of my favorite scenery in Moab and the potential for entertainment (watching off-road vehicles navigating the obstacles).  Plus the trailhead parking lot is ideal for post-hike beers, with all types of outsdoory-types (MTBers, hikers, trailrunners, off-roader, vanlifers, etc.) to talk to.

Heading down from the overlook

Later that day, H did a solo 24 mile road ride on the bike path; then we took Milton to the vet to get a bump on his leg looked at (lipoma); then we three went to Spitfire to bask in the sun whilst drinking beers on their dog-friendly patio.  We'd all earned it.  And we even had a backyard firepit that night, once the stars came out, after dinner at home.

Yay hiking!

Tuesday we felt quite virtuous, actually.  A and M did a 4.2 mile town walk, sticking to their every-other-day-off-leash routine, while H did a four mile trail run.  Then we humans did a 25 mile road ride - a little further up the bike path than A usually does.  For lunch, we packed a cooler and went to "our" picnic spot above the bike path/Colorado River.  And then the afternoon and evening were spent at home, working through our library books and catching up with our neighbor.

Yay beers!

vacation beginning

 Since we got our little Moab place, we really don't go anywhere but there anymore.  It's got all we need for vacation: easy access to the outdoors for hiking and biking; easy access to town for walking to beers, food, shopping and friends; world-class landscapes; great high desert environment; dog-friendly.  Every now and again when I hear of a trip friends took, I get a momentary pang and think, "Ooh, that sounds nice."  And then I remember that we can go to Moab whenever we want and I appreciate our privilege.

So for our fall vacation - we do a week's vacation in the spring, after ski season ends, and then again in the fall, before ski season starts - we went to Moab.  We drove down Friday late afternoon, noting the increase in traffic on I-15, both for the weekend and for the temperate season.  It took us a wee dite longer than it does when we go down Thursday afternoons, so we stayed in and cracked beers at home rather than venturing out.

Moody skies Saturday morning

On Saturday, we hit the Pipe Dream trail: A and the dog doing a six mile hike and H doing an eight mile trail run.  Later in the day, H ventured out for a quick 16.5 mile road ride.  We got lucky with the weather, at least in the first half of the week, as it was mostly clear and lovely, with highs not getting out of the 70s.  That evening we met up with our friends C and F who had scored a babysittter: we swung by a block party hosted by a local realtor, then moved on over to Dewey's for beers and noshes.  And then that night, we were delighted to discover that our neighbor A had returned home from her summer commercial fishing in Alaska.  (Milton was pretty excited to see her dog Moscow.)

Brand new bar tape on the ol' Cannondale

Sunday was another beautiful day.  A and M did a 3.3 mile town walk (trying to alternate off-leash and on-leash days for Milton so he doesn't exhaust himself).  Then H and A did a 24.2 mile road ride on the Moab bike path.  For a change, it wasn't windy!

So rad

The afternoon saw us three having a picnic up at the Slickrock trailhead parking lot - where H and M did some long-boarding - then a quick stop by Woody's for the humans and a backyard firepit after dinner at home.

csa summer: fourteenth and fifteenth boxes

 The end of the farm boxes for 2025.  We were going to be out of town for box #15 so instead I requested a box of apples to be picked up with box #14.  The apples were huge!  Like, grapefruit-sized apples.  Last year, when we got a box of apples, I was able to peel/core them using my peeler/corer and then cook them all down into apple pie filling.  This year, at least half the apples were WAY too big for that peeler/corer.

So I did the apple pie filling with the smaller ones; and for the big ones, I made orange-cinnamon apple butter in the slow cooker and also unsweetened applesauce on the stovetop.  Jeesh.  Apple stress.  At least they keep a good long while when airtight in plastic bags in the fridge.  (Huge thanks to Freeze Fresh for the storage and recipes - that book is invaluable during CSA season.)

Seriously look at those apples

For the regular produce box, we got a couple of peaches (past their prime) and plums, tomatoes, green beans, onions, pears, green peppers, potatoes and a couple of squashes (acorn and a giant spaghetti).  The tomatoes were chopped for cream cheese bagel toppings; the potatoes roasted; the peppers and onions sauteed for vegan grilled sausage toppings; and the squashes will, of course, be roasted and mashed for that weirdo Milton.

taking the low road

 The next time I got up to Alta for my "exercise loop," I did exactly what I did when I went to Cecret Lake.  Except I took the low road and didn't go to Cecret Lake, which was preferable all the way around.  As before, I parked above Albion Base and walked up the Summer Road until I could access Albion Meadows.  From there, I went up through the Sunnyside beginner area to the Catherine's Pass trailhead, then continued up to Catherine's Pass.  The morning was lovely and cool and there seemed to be slightly fewer people on the trail than the time before.

Heading towards the Apron

From the pass, I continued up to the trail junction for Sunset Peak and turned right to go to the top of Supreme.  In the week that had passed, they had gotten all the new lift towers installed, so that's progress, I guess.   I continued down the cat track/access road and again turned off on the trail that headed in towards Devil's Castle.  When I got in under the Apron, I got scolded by, and then was lucky enough to see, two busy pikas, scurrying about gathering grasses and other vegetation for the winter.  

Devil's Castle view

After I crossed that section, I kept to the right for the low road, where I'd seen some MTBers the last time.  This section of trail is pretty and shady and I had it all to myself.  Even though it looks so different this time of year, not covered in twenty-plus feet of snow, I eventually recognized where I was from having skied in there with H in years prior.  The trail brought me out well below the climb to Cecret Lake and although I did start to encounter people at this point, it wasn't nearly as many as the time before.

The low road

Now, having done both the high road and the low road (eight miles total hike), I can confidently say that in this case, I prefer the low road (contrary to Alta's unofficial motto - for traversing and etc. - to "get high and stay high).