rocky roads

A cold front was due to move in midday on Sunday and we wanted to get some trail time in before it happened. We also wanted to stay south of town, knowing we'd be ensnared in traffic when it was time to head back to SLC, so we headed out to the Sand Flats Recreation Area, avoiding that line of vehicles waiting to get in by parking at the Hell's Revenge exit lot.  It was a bit cloudy but the sun was breaking through in spots, highlighting cliffs in the distance.

The cliffs lit right up

As we walked in the out-door and started climbing on the sandy, rocky 4x4 trail up to the level of the sandstone fins, we had the place to ourselves, other than a few ravens playing in the increasing winds, doing barrel rolls and dive-bombing each other.

Enlarged so you can see that Domino's delivers

We did much of the same route we had done last Thanksgiving weekend by following Hell's Revenge in reverse, then hopping onto the Slickrock trail for a bit.  Then we got back onto the HR trail in time to watch a bunch of vehicles coming down (and going up) some really steep sections.  The winds really started to pick up as we headed for the HR entrance, whipping stinging sand into our faces.  Milton hates to wear his goggles but I think they would have helped in this situation.  We exited the trail, coming out on the Sand Flats road by the entrance station, and walked back along the road to where we had parked the car.

Domino's goes where no delivery has gone before 

The skies were darkening quickly so we opted for a speedy pack-up and departure, driving through heavy winds (I felt bad for anyone tent-camping at that moment) and sprinkles of rain until we got to Green River.  A quick burger and fries at Ray's marked the end of our weekend as we got back on the highway, drove through very light snow at Soldier's Summit and finally arrived back in SLC to temperatures in the 30s.  The taste of winter wouldn't last long (temperatures warmed up throughout the week) but it did remind us that it's on its way.

This is actually so steep - the photo doesn't do it justice

Hike stats:  5.27 miles; moving 1:56 hours/2.7 m.p.h.; overall 2:18/2.3 m.p.h