return to pritchett canyon

 It had been just over six months since we had done Pritchett Canyon for the first time but with the ridiculous levels of traffic to get to/return from anything north of Moab, we were looking for something on the south end of town.  The OHV lot on Kane Creek Boulevard had a fair number of vehicles and trailers in it but most of them must have been headed out towards Chicken Corners because we only saw six jeeps and four dirtbikers during our hike.

Super pretty Pritchett

The group of jeeps caught us at the Brickyard obstacle.  We stopped and watched them there and then at the Chewie ledges a little further on, chatting with some of the guys until one of them got cocky, tried to go up without knowing the line and broke an axle.  We left them behind then and continued up the canyon.

The lead guy really knew what he was doing

Pritchett Canyon is very pretty: narrow with high walls and intriguing side canyons for the first part and then widening out for the last bit.  The trail surface is varied, with chunky rocks, slickrock ledges and sand.  Because it has been so dry, the sand was like pink dust, puffing up with every step.  (Afterwards, even though we brushed him off, Milton's white feet stayed pink.)

This is the guy who broke an axle

We met up with the dirtbikers just after they'd come off the top of the pass at Yellow Hill.  They weren't really sure where they were - so we told them - and it seemed like a lot of the massive obstacles which this trail is known for were not all that much fun for bikes.  We made it up to the pass and then turned right around to retrace our steps (H had to be back for an afternoon video conference), passing them before they'd gotten very far.  We leapfrogged them back and forth - and had to work around the jeeps (only four of them now) who were working their way up Rockerknocker - until they finally got flatter ground after Chewie and took off.

The DBers were working hard

The midday sun was strong but temperatures were quite reasonable, now that we've gotten into October.  Milton overdid it (of course) but from overexertion, not overheating.  When we got back to the parking lot for a quick beer before H's meeting, there were more BASE jumpers throwing themselves off the cliffs, and the Kane Creek road was busy with side-by-sides and MTBers.  We said hi to one MTBer who was pushing his bike up the lot, having crossed the creek below, and I asked him if he'd just ridden Jackson's Trail.  "Dude!" he answered, "I came down it but I wouldn't say I rode it!"

Looking back down canyon from the pass

We finished our beer, put the tired dog in the truck and headed home, with no traffic delays.  H had his meeting and then we spent the afternoon working on my cruiser bike's brakes, reading and taking neighborhood walks.  Solid day all around.

Pink shoes!

Hike stats: 9.14 miles; moving 2:56 time / 3.1 m.p.h.; overall 3:32 / 2.6