Like everywhere else on the planet these days, Utah is stupid hot. The last time we were down in Moab, it topped out at 108F and didn't really cool off at night. We went from air-conditioned car to air-conditioned house to air-conditioned bar ... you get the idea. That sort of heat is dangerous to be out in: you need to take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and make sure you stay hydrated. And if you want to be out on the trail, you gotta go early to capture the coolest part of the day.
It was a state-holiday long weekend (Pioneer Day or, if you aren't Mormon, Pie-and-Beer Day) but even so, with the heat Moab was not that busy. H reassured me of this as we drove out to a Castle Valley-adjacent hike Saturday morning: he had gone for a road ride first and I was fretting that the trailhead parking lot would be too full by the time we got there. He was right. There were only two other cars in the lot when we got there. No need to fret this time.
Our starting time was around 8 a.m., which normally would be kind of a late start in this heat. But we were hiking in a narrow canyon, with our feet in the creek the whole way, so it never actually got hot until the last half hour or so. We each had two liters of water in our hydration packs, plus I was carrying an extra liter or so - not for Milton, who had the lovely creek to drink from, but in case we ran into any ill-prepared hikers. It happens.
We met one guy on our way in: first we met his dog, who looked confused, and then fifteen minutes later we met the guy who was heading back down the canyon, muttering, "I don't know how we got separated when there's only one way in and out." He had a point. (When we finished the hike, he wasn't still there so we assume he found his lost dog and left.)
There was not as much water in the creek as there has been on previous hikes but there was still a healthy flow. I was slow, picking my way over the rocks and utilizing my hiking poles, while H and Milton were ahead of me, pausing now and then to make sure I was still coming. Milton loved running and splashing in the water, and seemed to enjoy jumping the whole thing when he thought it looked deep. (It was only ever knee-deep at most.) He did not enjoy the waterfall itself - too loud and splashy.
The way out was uneventful as we simply retraced our steps. We did notice a stretch of canyon wall decorated with muddy handprints; this is the kind of art-in-nature that I can appreciate, as it will simply wash away without a trace after the next flash flood.
We met fewer than ten hikers on their way in, and a couple of dogs. Milton was too tired to do more than say a cursory hello, however, and after we downed our Gatorades and beers, we got out of there. It was nearly 11 a.m. and things were starting to heat up in earnest. Hike stats: 8.24 miles; moving 2:44 time/3.0 m.p.h. speed; overall 2:56/2.8; 570' elevation.
Monday, Milton and I were on our own for another water-friendly hike, while H did a longer road ride. We went back to Millcreek and did our loop: out along the rim, while the sun came up over the mountains, down into the canyon and up the creek to a much easier crossing, back down canyon on the shady side past the cowboy jacuzzis and out. It was moderately busy for how early it was, mostly with dog-walkers, looking to avoid the heat.
The five creek crossings were much, much easier than last time. The creeks have come down a lot and were barely more than ankle-deep at the crossings. Last time, it was knee-deep and moving quickly enough that Milton got concerned about the current. Not so much now but still plenty of water to keep cool and hydrated, an oasis in the desert.
P.S. On Sunday, we got back on our MTBs and did a great morning ride at Moab Brand Trails (without the dog). We road nearly thirteen miles and were out for about an hour and twenty minutes. There were hardly any people there but, strangely, quite a few very annoying gnats. We haven't been MTBing that much this summer (see above re: hot) and it felt good to get back on the bikes.
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