back to hidden valley-moab rim

The first time we did this hike (June 2020), we didn't take Milton.  We weren't sure quite how long it was or how hot it would get.  This time, we knew we could do it in just over ten miles (10.05 actually) and, being well into the fall, we knew he wouldn't get overheated.  Without getting too much of an early start, we set out from the house, getting onto the Pipedream trail via the Jackson entrance and walking south towards the Hidden Valley trailhead.

Moody morning

There were a number of cars at the HV trailhead and we passed a couple of groups of hikers (including a very friendly golden retriever) as we ascended the cliff and walked up the valley.  After pausing at the saddle to tell some folks how to find the petroglyphs, we descended the other side and headed down towards the Moab Rim trail.  Milton had stuck pretty close to H until this point; now he started ranging widely, chasing after whatever critters he thought he was sniffing.  

"I think that was a rabbit"

When we got to Sand Hill, we had a choice: go down the hill and through the wash or continue on the main trail on the rock, up and over Tire Test Hill.  We knew that it would be slightly shorter through the wash so we went that way, knowing that Milton's miles were adding up rapidly.  We also suspected that there might be water in the wash after the rain the night before.  Sure enough, there were a number of full puddles and potholes for Milt to splash into and drink from.

As we walk through the valley

There wasn't much action on the Moab Rim trail while we were hiking out on it.  We were a little disappointed but once we got to the truck (as before, H had driven it over and ridden his bike back in the morning) for our post-hike beers, the entertainment commenced.  We watched a group of six or seven jeeps deflate their tires and then head up the trail, easily handling the Devil's Crack and Z Corner obstacles; shortly thereafter, a side-by-side followed them up and then passed them after the Z Corner.  We also saw five or six MTBers coming down the Portal Trail across the river - and we applauded them for it.  That trail is not for the faint of heart (or wobbly of bike-handling).

Milton on the Moab Rim trail

Milton was so tired that afternoon that we didn't even have to sneak out to go for a beer at Woody's.

Taking in the river views