winter weather (part one)

 A long weekend for Christmas? Yes, please, and we drove down to Moab after work on Wednesday: there was a northern Utah storm scheduled to come in and we wanted to get over Soldier Summit while it was still dry.  This time of year, we had to do most of the drive in the dark but, for us anyway, dark roads are a lesser evil than snowy/wet roads.  When we got into town 8 p.m.ish, I was surprised to see so many cars at a number of the motels lining Main Street - this is supposed to be the off season!

H was already on vacation but I had a couple of hours of work to get through before my time off actually begain.  After that was done, Milton and I drove up to the Sand Flats Recreation Area and parked at the radio tower for a short hike.  We went out Fins 'N Things to the Grandstaff Canyon overlook.  It was overcast and cool, but definitely warm enough whilst moving.  On our way back, we decided that we hadn't been out long enough and took some time to explore a couple of side washes, then turned left (instead of right, back the way we came in) onto FNT.  We went out a little ways, exploring more washes.  While we were poking around, a group of five side-by-sides rumbled by on the jeep road; we sat on a sandstone dome and watched them but they never even saw us.

After getting back to the car, we stopped in at the Slickrock trailhead so M could eat some breakfast and I could pound a beer.  There were around five other vehicles there: a couple of dog walkers, one MTBer with two huskies and a van-life dirt biker.  From there, we did a couple of quick errands (liquor store and City Market, both busy) before heading home to clean up.  Milton headed straight to bed when H and I strolled over to Woody's for a beer: they were going to be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we wanted to support local businesses while we could.  (We managed to support more local businesses on Xmas Eve by going to the Spitfire.)

Blurry photo #1 of the weekend

On Friday, Christmas Eve, it was again overcast when we got up.  H and I went straightway into developing our Bloody Mary recipe.  This took some time so it was late morning before Milton and I got our stuff together for a hike.  H was at that time neck-deep in a 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle so we waved goodbye as we set off.  

It was sprinkling when we left the house.  By the time we got to the Moab Rim trailhead - I had chosen this trail because I figured it might be a little cleaner being more rock than sand - it had upgraded to light rain.  I waffled for a minute as I didn't have anything waterproof to wear: both H and I had forgotten our raincoats when packing for the trip and I hadn't been able to find my poncho.  But we were already at the trailhead and it was fairly warm (low 40s) so we went for it.  Amazingly, we weren't entirely alone out there.  There were three other vehicles in the lot when we had gotten there.  M and I met one solo hiker and then a couple with three dogs coming down as we went up the Stairmaster trail (very nice dogs and M was glad to say hi), and there was a solo guy going up the 4x4 road just ahead of us.  

I had hoped to do the Moab Rim loop at the top - out the 4x4 road to Tire-test Hill, down Sand Hill and back through the wash - but by the time we finished the climb, both the dog and I were pretty wet and I figured we'd get chilled if we kept going.  We stopped at the overlook (no view except for the very low cloud ceiling), said hello to that solo guy, and headed back down the Stairmaster.  At this point, it started raining harder: more than light rain but less than a New England soaking rain.  The coolest thing was that there were now all these ephemeral waterfalls that hadn't been there on our way up less than an hour before.  

Being completely drenched by the time we got back to the car, both Milton and I got a little chilled as I tried to dry us off a little.  Luckily, the drive back is short and we warmed up quickly once in the house.  The rain stopped a half hour after we got home.

twenty-one months

The last time I went skiing was March 8, 2020, just days before the pandemic came crashing in on us all.  

I sent H on up to Alta by himself on Saturday, in part to scope out the ski bus/Albion lodge routine and in larger part because he needed to get up there on some decent snow.  The change from two weeks ago, when the hillsides were all brown, was marked and he actually had a really good day.  The recent midweek storm (that trapped us in our house until 11 a.m. when the plow came - because the 1-3" that we were forecasted to get in the valley turned out to be 12"+) brought a couple of feet to the Cottonwood Canyon ski areas and that made all the difference.  It was cold but the snow was in great shape and he did numerous runs in Catherine's Area, scoring first tracks each time.

That's more like it

Of course everything open was entirely tracked out by the time we got there on Sunday - but the snow was still pretty good.  We hopped the bus around 7:25 (masks required) and got off at the Albion Day Lodge (since non-guests are no longer welcome at Golderminer's Daughter Lodge.  We were early enough that we grabbed a table by the window to read and put our boots on; we nabbed free cubbies in the entryway for our bootbags; we were second in line in the new singles line at the Sunnyside lift.  It's sure to get much more chaotic after Christmas but for now, a good start!

About to score some tasty pow

It was a beautiful day - cold, but warming to around 30 F by noon, and sunny.  We went directly to the Supreme chair and for our first three runs there, it was like we had it to ourselves.  It being my first day back, I stuck mainly to groomers.  H was happy to have someone (me!) to talk to in the lift lines and on the chairs, so he skied with me for most of the time, except for a run down No. 9 Express - not entirely successful as it had set up some from the day before - and when I had to go in to warm my toes for a bit.  We switched to Sugarloaf and then moved to Collins.  Things started to fall apart a bit then: the Collins lift was having mechanical or power issues and kept shutting down; the Sunnyside lift was too eventually, which took some finagling to move around the resort.  We did a run on the Wildcat lift and then made it back to Sugarloaf for some more runs.  

My ski pants still fit!

We called it quits early and jumped on the bus back down to the valley.  We'll need to do some fine-tuning of the logistics - part of why we left early was because we were hungry and Alf's no longer allows outside food - but it looks like we can make it work for ski season 2021/2022.

happy holidays

May we all enjoy the outside as much as possible in 2022!

 

desert interlude

Our first December Moab weekend was a quick one, scooting down Friday midday to avoid snowstorms (we did pass through a small squall while going over Soldiers Summit: visibility was terrible but it was short-lived) and returning Sunday (we had debated getting up early Monday and driving north then but work became pressing enough that wasn't feasible).  Short but sweet, with sunny skies, cold temperatures and a bit more snow in the LaSals.

It was cold, though.  Here's the issue with outdoor winter recreation: if you want a full day - of skiing, or hiking, or whatever - you have to get going early because the daylight doesn't last that long, and that means you have to dress for colder temperatures.  For instance, it was in the high teens on Saturday when we got up with the sun.  If you want to let things warm up - to the low 30s, for example - you have to delay your start until around 10:30 a.m., which means you just don't have much available daytime left for longer hikes.  We opted for warmer temperatures so that meant shorter hikes: more than six miles, fewer than seven.

Zephyr

We also opted for shorter drives, not wanting to waste the daylight in the car.  On Saturday, we drove to Moab Brand Trails, turning left and parking on the road rather than driving down to the main parking lot.  From there we jumped on the north portion of the North 40 trail, then connected to the Zephyr trail which, if followed to its conclusion, leads to the Klondike Bluffs trail system.  Zephyr goes out along the rim of the continuation of Sevenmile Canyon and I was hoping that we'd be able to find access to get down into the canyon. 

The trail is multi-use and easy walking.  Three MTBers passed us but we didn't see anyone else - we are finally in the off season in Moab.  We never found out if we could get down into the canyon, though, because we had to turn around at the Arches National Park boundary: you can go through (just close the gate behind you) but dogs aren't allowed on ANP trails.  It was unlikely that anyone would have caught us but we do try to be conscientious recreators.  We backtracked a little ways and then turned off onto other 4x4 roads that led us north before connecting with the Copper Ridge Road (also a 4x4 dirt road).  This jeep road runs from Moab Brand up to (at least) the Sovereign trail system, so we knew it would take us back to where we needed to be.  It did and we had hot cider (spiked with applejack, for those inclined to such things) waiting for us there.

Circle O

We had another slow start Sunday morning (H was determined to finish his new jigsaw puzzle and I was immersed in a library book) and then decided to just load up the car and do a quick hike on our way out of town.  So back to Moab Brand trails, where all three of us did the Bar M/Circle O route that Milton and I usually do when H cold-weather MTBs.  There were several vehicles in the parking lot and we saw a couple of MTBers on Bar M, but once we got out onto the Circle O slickrock, we didn't see anyone else.  Lovely.

and so it begins

I had written a whole long post about how frustrated and annoyed we are at the changes Alta has made, becoming more and more unfriendly to local skiers.  I deleted it all because we don't need that kind of negativity around here.  But yes, Alta is changing and it's really disappointing.  That being said, ski season has begun!

There's no snow in them thar hills

H missed Alta's opening day (November 24) because we were in Moab.  His first days of the 2021/2022 ski season were December 4 and 5: he drove up because (a) the UTA ski buses aren't running yet and so (b) the new pay-to-park program is not running yet.  This year I kept my pass (having cashed it in last year) but I sent H on without me so he could scope out this year's scene.  

First day selfie

Plus there's been no new snow for weeks and with a 30" base, I knew the skiing wasn't going to be that good.  When H texted me from the Wildcat base parking lot when he got there on Saturday, he said that the bowl we descended on our Emma Ridge hike earlier this year was completely bereft of snow.  In December.  That's not good.  It was busy enough that it got skied off within forty-five minutes.  He stuck it out long enough to count as a ski day and then was home by 1:30 p.m.

Did I mention no snow?

H skied Sunday too (I had actually intended to go with him, to the point of dragging out my skis and poles and boots and clothes, but ended up bailing in the end).  It was slightly less crowded and still plenty sunny but noticeably colder, with a consistent chilly wind.  He was definitely in a better mood - even a mediocre day of skiing is generally better than a day of not skiing.  As for me, I managed to move my ski gear upstairs to the mud room so now I'm poised and ready to go next time.  Hope we get some snow!

Best ski vehicles ever

sevenmile (not seven miles)

On Saturday, H wanted a town day: he needed a book and was hoping Back of Beyond would have some more Zane Grey.  I had been to the library just days previously (and Milton can't read) so the two of us drove north of town, turned onto Route 313 and pulled into the shockingly busy parking area just before the S-curves.  There were five other cars already there!  For Sevenmile Canyon!  I was incredulous but, as it turned out, we only saw two other people and we were on our way back out back then.

Oh that sky

Once again, it was pleasant in the sun but chilly in the shade; there was even some ice in some of the side canyons where the sun never reaches this time of year.  We worked our way up, including the side canyons - one of which brought us right underneath where'd we'd been on Thanksgiving during our Wipe Out hike - for an hour and a half, then turned around and walked out the main canyon.   This fork of Sevenmile Canyon is not as sandy as the south one but it is still challenging to walk in spots.  Soft sand is not my favorite.

Unsurprisingly, I'd had no cell service whatsoever in the canyon so I pulled over into the Moab Giants parking lot to text H that we were heading home.  We had just gotten into town when he texted me back that I should swing by Dewey's.  I did, finding a shady parking spot (although Milton, being the sun-worshiper that he is, probably would have preferred a brighter one) right out front, which I was surprised at, given how busy town was.  H and I had a beer, chatted with the bartender, and then we headed back home for a quiet night in.

falcon flow

 Another chilly morning (and no particular rush to be anywhere on the Friday after Thanksgiving) meant that we didn't get up to the Falcon Flow trailhead at the Sand Flats Recreation Area until 10:45 a.m., for a hike on this newer MTB trail.  There were a handful of other cars there so we knew we'd need to keep an eye out for bikers; all told, we saw twenty-one MTBers so it was only barely busy.  H had ridden this trail from the upper end to this entrance but I'd never been out on it - it was clear nearly from the start that FF will be a trail I walk and not one I ride.

M hustling to catch up

It's easy hiking though, if you're not lugging your MTB along.  The trail is rubbered in pretty well so it was never super sandy, instead mainly a nice combination of packed dirt and ledges.  There is some up and down and a couple of no-fall zones (if you're on a bike) but the footing is good.

Cushy footing that

With this being our third hike in three days, we could tell Milton was slowing down a little bit, staying close to H more often than not.  At one point, when he and H were on one side of a wash and I was on the other, he (Milton) stopped to watch me, came back a few yards to check, and then, when he was sure that I was going the right direction, turned around and sprinted to catch up with H.  I guess I know where I stand in the pack - at least he came back to check on me!

Funky beehive sandstone formation

When we got back to the trailhead, it was full to overflowing with vehicles - people had definitely waited for it to warm up before hitting the trails.  We quickly surrendered our coveted parking spot and drove back to the Slickrock parking lot for beers and sandwiches.  There were lots of people (MTBers, hikers, dirt-bikers, 4x4 folks) and a couple of other trail dogs milling around too but M was too tired to do more than look on interestedly as he crunched his post-hike biscuits.

wipe out

Thanksgiving morning was clear and chilly so we did wait for it to warm up a bit before heading out on our hike.  We kept in mind the hordes of people from a prior T'giving attempt on Arches NP and drove right past the park entrance (big line of cars) and up to the main (upper) Navajo Rocks trailhead.  There were more vehicles/MTBers there than I expected - does nobody go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving anymore? 

Pretty little wash

We weren't doing the Rocky Tops loop this time, however but heading out on the jeep road that follows the cliff wall towards the Monitor and Merrimac buttes, something that I've been wanting to check out for some time.  It's no good for hiking in the summer as there is no shade and no water; and since it's a 4x4 road, it can be pretty busy in the spring and fall.  In the winter, however (and this counts as winter, I've decided), we had it all to ourselves.  Several times we thought we heard engines coming our way but it just turned out to be echoes bouncing of the red rock from miles away.

Art shot

The walking is easy: slickrock and sand, and this time of year the sand isn't too deep or loose.  We crossed several washes, heading gradually downhill (downhill the whole way out, by the way) towards the 4x4 feature called Wipe Out Hill.  This spot clearly gets a lot of action: there were lots of fences to keep the various vehicles on the trails where they belong.  We climbed up the hill, coming out right underneath the Merrimac Butte, then started our return trip just as five or six side-by-sides crested the ridge.

Feature under the butte

We found a different jeep road for the walk back, this one a straight shot across the desert meadow.  As we got back to the slickrock shelves, we started to see more folks, including lots of MTBers and a woman walking three dogs, one of them an Underdog foster puppy on her last day before her adoption.  (The puppy was very interested in Milton; Milton wasn't interested at all.)  Back at the parking lot we had sandwiches and beers while we watched the shenanigans - it seemed like half the state of Colorado was recreating in Moab this weekend, taking advantage of the nice weather.

You can't tell how steep this was

The rest of Thanksgiving was just as chill.  We made shepherd's pie for dinner, chasing it with chocolate chip cookies (H doesn't like pie and while I do, I certainly don't need to eat a whole one myself) and cheersing with sparkling rosé.  We attempted a firepit once the sun went down but it was brief on account of cold - the whole day ranged from 38-44 F - and we were happy enough to settle inside with our books for the night.

Oh, hey, a dirt road

yet another rim trail

The Moab area, with all its canyons and mesas, has a lot of rim trails: Moab Rim, White Rim road, Porcupine Rim trail, Hellroaring Rim trail, Hunter Rim trail, etc.  When we drove down early Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving, we got to town early enough to get out for a hike by 11:15 a.m. and decided to try to find a new (to us) rim trail: up above Millcreek Canyon.  On one of Milton's and my Millcreek hikes this past summer, I'd seen a couple of folks and their dogs up on the rim, and then making their way down into the canyon in the vicinity of the cowboy hottubs, and that's what we were looking for.

Yet another dirt road

There's a sign just as you start indicating that you go straight ahead to the falls (where most people go) or turn off to the right to get up to the rim.  The trail fades out quickly, however, as you get up into the wash - we managed to find our way up there to reconnect with the trail but it certainly could benefit from a couple of cairns or a blaze or two.  Once up, we walked along an old road with Millcreek Canyon to our left and a neighborhood of newer houses to our right, nestled into the foothills.  There were a couple of flap poles here and there, including one that was marked "Yet Another Rim Trail" so we figured we were in the right place.  We kept going and when a foot trail turned off to the left, we left the jeep road and descended into the canyon.

Up on the road in the sun was pleasant but down in the shade it was chilly for sure: temperatures all long weekend would be in the mid- to low 50s and mostly sunny.  We followed the trail up looker's right side of the creek, having to pick our way through a couple of flooded spots.  This seemed a little strange until we came into a clearing and saw several big trees that had recently been felled by beavers.  We didn't actually see any of those critters but they are there and they are active.

Lots of work to fell these trees

The water is higher than it was in late summer/early fall.  This wouldn't be a problem except that it was chilly enough that we really didn't want to get our boots wet.  To head back out the canyon required five separate creek crossings of various difficulties.  Milton didn't care, splashing back and forth with glee - until he noticed H picking his way across carefully on stepping stones.  Then, very funnily, Milton would come back across the creek and then intentionally cross over stepping exactly on the stones H had just used.  He did this several times, watching H's crossing carefully so he would get it right.

Back in town, we went out for a beer.  Woody's was closed (staffing shortage: everyone had gone home early for the holiday) so we ended up at the Spitfire.  Somehow we only got charged for half our beers; we left a 100% tip so everyone came out happy about it.

just enough time for a quick jaunt

Quick hike/quick post: On Sunday, before heading north (stupid jobs getting in the way of being in the desert), we went up to Sand Flats Recreation Area for a quick jaunt out on the Slickrock trail.  We didn't have time to do the whole Slickrock trail but managed to be out for a while, climbing up and down the sandstone swells and traipsing through the sandy patches.  There were several jeeps and side-by-sides out there right from the start, and a couple of small groups of dirtbikers; we didn't start to see too many MTBers until after 10:30 a.m. when it had warmed up a bit.

Yet another view of the LaSals from the redrock

With the warm temperatures, the snow is melting from the LaSals.  It's difficult to complain about that (although we need the snow for the water) because 60s and sunny in November is just delightful.