I awake after my restless boondocking night to see Debbie outside my window walking her dogs, the ever-entertaining Rupert and Elliott.   I have originally announced my plans to do a “solo acclimatization” hike on my first day, but Debbie assures me the group hike will be “doable,” with plenty of photo stops along the way (READ:  Opportunities to gasp for breath, slow my pounding heart, and steady my dizzy, swirling head.)

I am torn.  I have already selected my solo hike for the day, a nice level “wash,” equivalent to a gravel road.   But I think back to one of those “team building” work outings from 20 years ago at Martha’s Vineyard when I sat out the beach volleyball game because I didn’t want to look like a klutz in front of my co-workers.  What do I remember about that day 20 years later?   That I missed all the fun.   I have proven Mark Twain right when he said “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”  I am still disappointed that I didn’t join in on the fun that day.  So I decide to swallow my pride and join “The Gang” for the group hike.

View from the Scenic Highway

The trail head is located at the end of the parks Scenic Drive, which meanders 16 miles RT along the edge of the Waterpocket Fold, the buckle in the earth’s surface for which the park is known. A group of Navajo sandstone domes resembling the D.C. Capitol Building, and towering rock ridges known as “reefs” give the park its name. The Scenic drive ends at Capitol Gorge trail head.

“The Castle,” a famous park landmark.

This will be my first hike since Grinnell Glacier three weeks ago, and my first hike with the Box Canyon gang.  We are hiking to the “Golden Throne,” which is only 3.5 miles round trip, but it has an elevation gain of 700 ft.  Still, that sounds ridiculously easy.  But after my pounding altitude headache in the Albuquerque Walmart parking lot 2 nights prior, I am apprehensive.   As we pull into the parking lot for the Golden Throne trail head, I tell Debbie, “I have a knot in my stomach the size of one of these boulders.”

Those aren’t ants across the way, they are cyborg hikers. 😉

Debbie keeps me company on the uphill slog.

Catching up…

The others move at a rapid pace up the steep uphill climb, while Debbie and I share conversation at a slower pace. She even fakes being out of breath occasionally so I don’t feel so bad. 😉 Before I know it, we have reached the Golden Throne, only everyone agrees, it looks nothing like a throne. It is recognizable only by its golden color.

The Golden Throne

Overlook of the Scenic Drive below

As we crest the top and see the “End of Trail” sign, I am relieved to see the lunch bags come out, as this means a welcomed rest stop.   It would be interesting to have a time lapse photo at the top, as each one wanders across the top of the bluff, looks over the edge to the vast expanse of canyon below, meanders out on the overlooks,  and takes turns guessing what the “throne” actually looks like.   Answers range from a big bread pudding to a giant recliner with footrest.

Box Canyon Mark and Bobbie

Jim and Gayle explore the edge of the overlook.

Look at the white rock on the left to see Jim on his own throne…

The trip back down the trail is swift.  As we all reconvene in the parking lot, it seems as if some have not been satiated by the three mile hike.  Someone poses the question, “Want to hike the Capitol Gorge Trail since we’re here?”   I am as surprised as the others to hear myself responding, “Sure, I’m in.”