On Tuesday, J, S, Bo and Eph went out to Fisher Towers to climb something there (Castleton?) while H, V, Milton and I drove out the Potash Road to hike to Jeep Arch. The Corona Arch and campground parking lots were quite busy but we were the first people to pull in for Culvert Canyon. V giggled when we said we were walking through the culvert; halfway through, with the sunlight glowing off the culvert's ridges, she was like, this is cool!
One of the things H and I tried to do when coming up with hikes for V was to find varied terrain so she could really experience how different the desert could be. Jeep Arch exemplifies this, from the rocky shelves, to scrambling up below the red stone spire, to the sandy meadows, to coming down through the wash. It's a great representation of varied desert hiking, all wrapped up in not too many miles.
It was pretty windy but this kept the temperature comfortable. We only lost the trail once - I fail to understand why they don't keep the painted blazes going around the WHOLE loop - but managed to stay in a wash until we found it again. For all the times we've done this hike, we have never had to wait our turn at the arch - and this held true again this time, giving us plenty of opportunity to enjoy the 360 degree views.
We spotted a few other hikers coming in as we were heading out, but once we made our way down into the canyon wash we didn't see anyone else. There were several pools for Milton to wade in and drink from; the large pools were definite desert oases.
When we got back to the truck, H had a surprise in mind: another short double session to Middle Earth, because that place is just so cool. There was another car already at the parking area but those two hikers were heading out as we were coming in so, again, we didn't have to share. The sand was pretty damp as we walked in and there was a lot of water in the amphitheatre pool. evidence of the recent wet weather. We scrambled up onto the rocky domes above to show Corona Arch to V (she would end up hiking in there herself on Friday, when J and S went backcountry skiing with Eph in Gold Basin) and then retraced our steps back to the truck, pausing only to pull a cactus thorn out of Milt's paw.
By the time we got back to town, some cumulative fatigue had set in for everyone. We dropped V at their AirBnb and everyone had a quiet afternoon at home. When the climbers came back, J, V and S stopped by to say goodbye - S was clearly tired as I have never seen her so quiet! They would have a few more days in the desert before heading back to Maine. Living out here in Utah, H and I don't see family very often. This was a good visit, packed full of outdoors things and something for everyone.
In case anyone was wondering, Milton was very sad to say goodbye to V. He was pretty tired from four hikes in four days, however, so he just slept it off.
Hike stats: Jeep Arch 4.16 miles; Middle Earth 2.5 miles
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