how spring is your valley

We didn't plan ahead very well and ended up casting about for a Saturday hike right then on Saturday morning (despite best intentions to start making plans the night before).  As it was already 9 a.m. - a late start for April hiking in Moab, even during a pandemic - we decided on Hidden Valley since the drive to the trailhead would be quick.  Even so, there were at least five other cars in the parking lot, which is more than we've seen all winter and spring.  Hidden Valley is a popular hike and we weren't surprised by the other people.

 In his happy place (mine too)

With Milton happily ranging ahead, we made quick work of the initial steep uphill section where we passed a young family on their way up and a couple of couples on their way down.  To our surprise, we were passed by two trail runner dudes on their way up - they were really fast because it wasn't like we were poking along.

View towards the Colorado River

Once we got up to the valley portion, we had the trail to ourselves.  It was a gorgeous morning, super-pleasant in the sunshine, and we both agreed that we could walk on a trail like that forever: smooth surface, firm but not hard underfoot, with just a gradual incline.  The scenery helps too, with the green grasses surrounded by the red rock cliffs.

A dude and his dog

When we got to the pass, we decided to keep going down to find the Moab Rim trail; our hope is to one day make a giant loop out of these two trails.  We weren't exactly sure where the trail junction was, however, and wanted to do a little recon.  It's actually not that far, easily found, and when we realized where we were on the map, we got more eager to do that loop.  We didn't have enough food or water for it, especially not with Milton, so we've saved that for another day. 

Clouds on the La Sals, per usual

We did find another trail that we hadn't done and that was doable, an out-and-back to a Moab valley overlook.  There was some up involved: it was actually a pretty steep jeep road, some gravel with some sections of giant, smooth slabs.  Just before we got to the top, it got steeper, curving up a slickrock bowl to the rim. 

Doesn't get much prettier than that

The views were fantastic, showing the whole Moab valley from the La Sals and Ken's Lake to Arches National Park, with the Sand Flats Recreation Area directly across from us.  Our return trip retraced our steps.  We saw quite a few more hikers as we finished up the valley section, including two large groups, and a lot of dogs.  Despite the people, we still heard the trilling of canyon wrens as we finished up the rocky section and got back to the car.

Tired and happy.  And dirty.

Milton, once again, may have overdone it.  After a bowl of water and a handful of dog biscuits, he napped in the dirt while we drank our beers, not even lifting his head when other hikers walked past.  It was never hot during our walk but it is the end of April, which means that the sun is getting stronger.  Since he is an all-black dog, he can overheat so we're working on something to help with that.  In the meantime, he still likes to bake himself in the spring sunshine after a hike.  Who doesn't?

Hike stats:  7.93 miles; moving 2:34 / 3.1 m.p.h; overall 3:12 / 2.5 m.p.h.; 1,790' elevation