Heckel's Adventures

Tues, September 4, 2012 :   First we leisurely explored Yuba Lake a bit (after enjoying an awesome shower!)   We then left Yuba Lake and later arrived at Kodachrome Basin Campground (after a couple missed turns and approximately 3.5 hours of travel).   Our camp at Yuba Lake How do you not stop for lunch at Larry's when in transit and riding with Larry?? The first Arch encounter as approaching Escalante  We located our campground in Kodachrome Basin next to a virtual stone penis and scrotum (site #15). We enjoyed good early evening shade to take refuge from the sun and heat. The campground had good showers and flush toilets.   Kodachrome Basin   We began with a hike to Shakespeare’s Arch, a 3 mile loop, and had a thunderstorm move in while hiking that prevented the slick rock cross country adventure portion of the hike. Nice views of the arch with blue skies above did precede the storm invasion however. S...

Wed, September 5, 2012 :   Drove to Escalante, then beyond slightly to a hike beginning at the Calf Recreation area between mile markers 75 and 76.   The hike roundtrip was 6 miles, with the majority over sandy terrain making for a more strenuous hike than one would expect.   The hike had 15 interpretive sites along the way:   Granery (2 in fact), box canyon for calves, pictographs, and culminating in the Lower Calf Creek Falls at 3 miles (in and out total is 6 miles).   We enjoyed a nice snack next to the falls, took numerous photos, and waded in the cool water.   We did see some trout in the stream that the falls feed (has brown, rainbow, and brook trout present). Blue Jay at camp starting the morning View in a canyon en route, this was taken from the Kiva Koffeehouse stop over Kiva Koffeehouse stop over Start of our hike at the Lower Calf Creek Falls Pictographs  The falls I have so many pictures of the falls, wh...

Thurs, September 6, 2012 : Drove to Bryce Canyon National Park ($25 to get into the park – a 7 day pass where there isn’t enough for 7 days of adventure). First, and most substantial, hike of the day included the Navajo to Queen’s Garden Loop (3 miles and 600 vertical). The hike for us began at Sunset Point, it then descended down “Main Street” with numerous switches along the Navajo trail. Numerous vistas of the“ampetheater” were amazing. We then joined the Queen’s Garden trail, ascending more gradually than we descended. The last 0.8 mile drive up to Sunrise Point did include a steeper ascent without the advantage of as many switches. The hike concluded in the 0.5 miles along the Rim Trail back to Sunset Point. View from Sunset Point Little chipmunk on "Main Street" of the Navajo Trail Looking down along "Main St" A better appreciation of the switches down "Main St"  View from Sunrise Point ...

Fri, September 7, 2012 :   Drove from Kodachrome Basin to Zion Canyon Campground.   The drive included a 1.1 mile tunnel in Zion NP to access the main entrance via the east entrance.   The tunnel took 3 years to build and is quite impressive.   We arrived at Zion Canyon Campground and RV (quality Inn as well)….not terribly impressed….not planning to stay there again.   The site at times had an odor, the showers were dirty, and it was jam packed despite being after the Labor Day holiday.   We then had lunch at the Pioneer Lodge (great Cobb salad and good French dip). After setting up the Weasel, we headed into Zion.   We did not realize that you could not access the main areas from your own car.   We promptly returned to camp (to park) and figured out the shuttle system.   We began with the Emerald Ponds, via the Zion Lodge stop.      View from the bridge starting our hike to the Emerald Ponds Alongside the fi...

Sat, September 8, 2012 :   We woke to an alarm to help get the busy day underway, getting up at 0645.   We decided not to spend our time making breakfast and cleaning dishes, so we made our way through town, and again found ourselves at the Pioneer Lodge (waiting 3-4 min for it to open at 0700).   Another great meal, with each of us ordering a ham and cheese omelet.   We returned to camp to make lunch and then drive onto the visitor’s center. Upon arriving at the visitor’s center, it was quiet, not many cars.   We caught the shuttle at 0810 and a good portion of us on the shuttle got off at the Grotto.   We then hiked to Angel’s Landing, 1488 vertical in 5.4 miles (round trip).   Trailhead from The Grotto to Angel's Landing The hike took 3.5 hours, and reminders to self to only look at the path immediately ahead…not to look down.   The views were amazing.   The approach for the last 0.5 miles required holding onto chairs for the ...