Coalpits Wash, that is! Here’s how it goes down while hiking with the Red Rocks gang:
A little after dark, an email pops up from one of the members of “the gang.” There is an informal distribution list, but the email most typically comes from Gayle, Mark, or Bobbie (by proxy from Mark) because they are the “ring leaders” by default. Some might say the “pushers” to those of us neophytes who have just become hooked on their drug of choice, Red Rock Dust. “Who’s up for a hike tomorrow?” (“Candy, little girl??”)
How many hikers does it take to open a gate?
This beats the heck out of the “Brown Bag Lunch & Learn” sessions at Amex!
Next comes a wave of emails from the followers. There are usually a flurry of questions. “How long is the hike? What is the elevation gain? Are dogs allowed?” This is where a “grasshoppah” like me must be really cautious. Answers from the “Sensei” are typically vague. “Oh, just a couple of steep parts, but otherwise flat. Nothing you haven’t done before. Only around 5 miles, give or take.” Best to do your own homework. I recommend Joe’s site as a second opinion. 😉
I would never have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes, but this is how the “Postcard Photographer” makes postcards. He shoots on the run…
“Disneyland’s Skull Rock”
“There’s more than one Disneyland, Grasshoppah!”
Hopefully, a location has been determined by bedtime, so one knows whether it is going to be higher elevation, sun versus shade, or scrambling involved. This at least helps with the wardrobe choice. Miraculously, we have been hiking in tee shirts and shorts nearly every day, but you don’t want to wear the flimsy shorts if there is going to be scrambling involved! (which I unfortunately learned the hard way!)
Soft Serve Ice Cream Mountain
Peterman risks getting his pants dirty for the shot
But speaking of “scrambling,” that typically describes the early morning hours, as a frenzy of emails begins back and forth between as many as 12 people regarding where we will rendezvous, what time we are meeting, who is riding with whom. As much as I have learned to add a few miles to the trail length estimate, I still haven’t learned to shave a few minutes off the meeting time estimate. These guys are ALWAYS early, and more than once I have been caught with my toothbrush still in my mouth while my ride is idling outside.
Once at the trail head, everyone gathers around to hear a description of the trail, options to turn around for those who want a shorter hike, and once again it is reiterated, “Hike to your own comfort level.” This informal chat is comparable to a dive briefing, where depth, length, and highlights of the dive are shared. Then we’re off! The group expands and contracts like an accordion (some may say “donkey-like”) as we move on up the trail. Leaders and followers leap frog as the order is as fluid as the conversation.
Today, we are doing a loop trail, which is my favorite. I love the variety of a loop hike, and also not having to worry about backtracking over scenery already visited, or retracing steps through the more challenging spots.
But this loop hike is particularly beautiful because of the variety it offers. We will start out along the Chinle trail, which skirts a shallow canyon on the left, while being dwarfed by a jagged wall of majestic red sandstone off to the right. This trail is littered with left over chunks and buried logs of petrified wood from a partially buried petrified forest.
Who’s in the “compromising position” now, Gayle? 😉
Next will be a little scrambling through a boulder field, climbing down giant rocks worn into smooth, dry waterfalls by powerful flash floods. We will follow Scoggins Wash on down until we intercept Coal Pitts Wash, where we will meander back through a radiant field of golden Cottonwoods. Oh, and the best part? There is another “Disneyland” along the way!
Finishing out the loop, the “donkeys” are headed home.
Hope you enjoyed the hike!
Ha, ha, ha, ha …. I kept scrolling up and down, scouring through the photos while imagining a real gypsy camp with clothes lines stretched across campers in Latin American style, while everyone was gathered round the campfire heating a boiling washtub with you and a couple of members of the group standing around stirring the pot of clothes. Imagine my surprise! (No, I am serious this time.) But even though I missed seeing what I hoped, I have to admit that you once again nailed-it in the photo department. What an interesting hike! And always, what great photos! Love and keep those adventures coming!
Another great hike. I enjoy following you and your adventures.
Earlier today I was back pack shopping… $50-300.00, I was in shock!
Next time you’re all out, could you line everyone up and snap a pic of their back side. lol, just kidding. I would love to hear why certain packs were purchased and what each person likes or dislikes about their pack. I also noticed some are bigger and some are small… I’m wondering is one person designated to carry the first aid kit or does everyone carry their own? How much food, water and weight should one expect to carry for a day hike?
Thanks
“Then we’re off! The group expands and contracts like an accordion (some may say “donkey-like”) as we move on up the trail. Leaders and followers leap frog as the order is as fluid as the conversation.”
Wow. Just Wow…Engaging Prose, as magnificent as your Postcards! A top ten post, for sure. Going to be tuff to raise this bar 🙂
Mark
Great read! Love the description 🙂
This is a very neat trail. Love the mushroom!
You got it Mark, she is the best of the best. Love you girl. Fab shots. You are my rock to get thru what I have to. Love you.
Very funny. At least I was wearing long pants!! Hee haw;-)
Donald — Thanks for pointing out that my subject line may have been a little too “cheeky.” LOL! I added another line to clarify…
Lisa — Thanks for the comment! I did “survey” my fellow hikers and got enough answers for another blog post! haha! It seems that some carry nothing more than they will need for the hike, while others carry enough to rescue the entire gang! 😉 The REI.com website has a good list called “The 10 Essentials” that is a really good starting place. I love the Osprey packs. I have two, one big enough for an overnighter, and one just for day hiking. They seem to fit me better than most…
BC Mark — Thanks for the nice comment! If one can’t find inspiration in Zion to raise the bar, well then, I need to turn in my hiking boots!
Pam — I loved it too! But then I seem to say that about them all these days. Definitely more to Zion than what’s in the park brochure, I am finding!
Contessa — Your strength and stamina is an inspiration! Love to you too!
Gayle — You make compromising positions look way too graceful!
Thanks for letting me tag along in spirit as I can’t be there with you guys. (One of these years…I mooned over Mark’s descriptions the last 2 years and now look forward to his yearly journey to Utah in November)
Wish I was there!