Ross
Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2012
- Messages
- 295
Man, it’s hard to choose your favourite photos as there’s so much amazing stuff in the South West, so rather than break this up to small trip reports I’ve thrown in this circular road trip into one TR.
After a week of canyons on Lake Powell - a few shots here -
![9X2A7527imp.jpg 9X2A7527imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77880-6935eb51f02df6debea9ca17c237bc12.jpg)
![9X2A7392imp.jpg 9X2A7392imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77875-3b5e89deddc9010f242c364a514e235b.jpg)
![9X2A7466imp.jpg 9X2A7466imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77878-1a4d86ef7dfa3548a41eab0e81309dff.jpg)
![9X2A7410impcrop3.jpg 9X2A7410impcrop3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77876-258a170c144f8bc42cb52a26079a3921.jpg)
![9X2A7500imp2.jpg 9X2A7500imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77879-517cd64cedc2862b2036fb31f7cd1f75.jpg)
![9X2A7579imp.jpg 9X2A7579imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77882-605fd4bab40b44d874dc0802f282f97f.jpg)
![fullsizeoutput_403imp_edited-1.jpg fullsizeoutput_403imp_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77890-2b76d284a58f4e610b2c11b686ffd1eb.jpg)
![P1010209imp.jpg P1010209imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77899-39ef2fc169b143c0ce06aed70c505bdd.jpg)
I headed to Monument Valley for a couple of days relaxation, but the planned off-road overnight trip there couldn’t go ahead because a sandstorm had made the 4WD track impassable. Instead I just took in a sunrise and later did the touristy loop tour which, when I last did it about 20 years ago, wasn’t allowed in your own vehicle but now it is..
![IMG_0954imp3.jpg IMG_0954imp3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77893-21f96561459384b70c8578870e948484.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_1821imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1821imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77901-991acacf75b0b362ff3c34de64af8092.jpg)
![IMG_0967imp.jpg IMG_0967imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77898-2305ac966e6f80f28169b6cf9571a31b.jpg)
![IMG_0963imp.jpg IMG_0963imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77896-187326bd8fc5e5d0a0330c1dee1d3760.jpg)
A drive to the Vermillion Cliffs gave me about 4 hours to hike around the sandstone domes and slickrock until at sunset I found a patch of beautiful
Soft sand to lay down for the night,
![thumb_IMG_1830imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1830imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77873-4ba4fb4f8f187cd11f2623323c25d0d3.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2006imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2006imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77877-be7783a08a26fcbf002cddc70fa4e1f4.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_1998_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1998_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77883-d9ffa46c9bbeebc247ab5310546c71d5.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2017imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2017imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77884-6760c9b2fcf2c4ef6b57b86700019f5c.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_1953_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1953_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77881-72eecf6a847f53de2e45fc3ec5d9236d.jpg)
Giving the finger!!
Bac
k at
ar
Excited about what sunrise would bring as there was an area in the distance that I knew nothing about but which looked an interesting place to explore.
Indeed when I awoke another 2-3 hours of hiking fairly aimlessly flew by.
My DSLR has been destroyed in a soaking on Lake Powell so these were all taken on an iPhone, and not a recent model. I wonder how much better they might have been with my DSLR.
![thumb_IMG_2028imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2028imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77886-57401f1d2aaf14483fc2379007761e5a.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2050imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2050imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77891-f30d448455211880b18e256e06fe49a3.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2044imppano.jpg thumb_IMG_2044imppano.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77888-36239138943d3393aa4cd7a45328d322.jpg)
Back at the car by late lunchtime, I drove to another nearby area I’d visited a few years ago - this time wandering around with no particular target in mind for another very pleasant 3 hours. It looked promising for pictures and didn’t disappoint.
![thumb_IMG_2061imp2.jpg thumb_IMG_2061imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77892-02f0fb1ad8365b7dca54f23971db7227.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2086_1024panoimp_edited-1.jpg thumb_IMG_2086_1024panoimp_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77894-99c1b3d3606ec9cd9d95e47e73f24401.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2149imp2.jpg thumb_IMG_2149imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77895-3a14959ad95a452c145b3f610b0c352d.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2096_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2096_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77897-be551b025f9726fc95c981e3aaa720c7.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2147_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2147_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77900-bad0cf204793f0e0416089bb1f630488.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2079imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2079imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77902-d8b74686a5514d03e796bf6d239d2ae8.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2093imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2093imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77903-7c0970aa3225585d1fe7bddd461f180a.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2082_1024imppano_edited-1.jpg thumb_IMG_2082_1024imppano_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77904-1738d71eb4d66380c10101c99070e55b.jpg)
Living in Europe, most of my trips have specific places in mind to see so it was fun to do rather more vague exploration in that area.
The loop then went way out of Arizona/Utah again to somewhere I’d left before feeling I had more to see. Years ago with a small rental not suited to sand I’d stood at the turn off for the 5 miles to Font Point at sunrise without seeing a car. It then got too hot & too late - we had to check out our motel - to hike the somewhat dull & sandy 10 miles. This time I was again disappointed to only get an AWD & not a 4WD but I risked it & I was fine. With increased visitor numbers to the parks there were also two other cars there this time, although it was sunset when more people would go.
I do love the barrenness of badlands ( as well as the Springsteen song)
![9X2A6835imp.jpg 9X2A6835imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77865-cfa5ae75c0918d4a5eae6a33f755e6bb.jpg)
Inspired by that view the next morning I decided to take the longer, sandier & riskier drive to the other best rim point. Sunrise and August with temperatures hitting 110 I would be alone but I reckoned with enough water army 7am I could still hike 10 miles to paved road if the vehicle did get stuck.
I got 4/5 the way when I reached a steep hill. I could have continued all the way ok but my concern was getting back up it so I hiked the remainder. This view was supposedly not as good but I liked it as much.
![9X2A6816imppano37x5.jpg 9X2A6816imppano37x5.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77863-6a4e9d8e739442e5b78d8a5db483e690.jpg)
![9X2A6816imppano37x5crop_edited-1.jpg 9X2A6816imppano37x5crop_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77864-8bdd87a074c022be9d68a339c1521fba.jpg)
![9X2A6864imp2.jpg 9X2A6864imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77867-2b5add9d82a335d97db9832b725986bb.jpg)
![9X2A6839impcrop.jpg 9X2A6839impcrop.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77866-5e46545f01a520b65cc0371042194fff.jpg)
The hike back to the car was ok but I realised why people don’t hike in summer. But I had another slot to do nearby with another 2 miles uphill!
There’s a few nice slots in the park - not Utah quality - but enjoyable.
![9X2A6874imp.jpg 9X2A6874imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77868-ce98a655128b6c3505e77b94ad3ef572.jpg)
![9X2A6902imp.jpg 9X2A6902imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77869-cb97258f3706379f6dad4e692c8174bb.jpg)
Then after an evening under the Superstitions it was on to Petrified Forest NP.
![9X2A7036imp2crop3pano.jpg 9X2A7036imp2crop3pano.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77870-e8efa45d201563315ab9e99c657264bc.jpg)
![9X2A7037imppano 2.jpg 9X2A7037imppano 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77871-412713aa534ad012c0c1fd2047c27f46.jpg)
Cloudy most of the time, we had a nasty shock at one viewpoint when a sudden thunderclap and bolt of lightning came out of nowhere and sounded really close. We could see a Long way but had not heard or seen anything approaching prior to that & I don’t remember much after.
![9X2A7073imppano7.jpg 9X2A7073imppano7.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77872-f7ec8751ded08dd75a9b09ae02db2e20.jpg)
![9X2A7058imp2 copy.jpg 9X2A7058imp2 copy.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77905-115b2dc846c114fdbe912931ef4bddf2.jpg)
A dawn drive to Grand Falls was followed by an eqully grey day until sunset produced a great rainbow.
![9X2A7097impsmaller_edited-1.jpg 9X2A7097impsmaller_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77906-dbb141fe7150d366d5da1f5897fe044a.jpg)
![41453389_10157030150227590_162319346830409728_n.jpg 41453389_10157030150227590_162319346830409728_n.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77907-8094a90458d2ac31b2b6e945884f06f8.jpg)
The loop was completed by another attempt at the trip in Monument valley but this time forest fire smoke made visibility so bad that it wasn’t worth getting up high for the view.
So instead another day was spent deeper in the Vermillion Cliffs Monument hiking off the sand tracks courtesy of my friend Jack. There were colourful looking areas of slickrock patterns I’d been frustrated to leave on a previous visit so we were able to check them out more fully. As we headed out Jack picked an inspired spot to camp which fortunately retained water from recent rains.
![9X2A7813and8imp.jpg 9X2A7813and8imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77889-0b4b03f80532b608bf79a455611e4998.jpg)
![9X2A7721imp.jpg 9X2A7721imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77885-f6518ae9b4e7829f7d01c77174a6ee83.jpg)
![9X2A7738imp.jpg 9X2A7738imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77887-34a4ac6010c4146d7a2e79e5c12c6b3f.jpg)
After a week of canyons on Lake Powell - a few shots here -
![9X2A7527imp.jpg 9X2A7527imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77880-6935eb51f02df6debea9ca17c237bc12.jpg)
![9X2A7392imp.jpg 9X2A7392imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77875-3b5e89deddc9010f242c364a514e235b.jpg)
![9X2A7466imp.jpg 9X2A7466imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77878-1a4d86ef7dfa3548a41eab0e81309dff.jpg)
![9X2A7410impcrop3.jpg 9X2A7410impcrop3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77876-258a170c144f8bc42cb52a26079a3921.jpg)
![9X2A7500imp2.jpg 9X2A7500imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77879-517cd64cedc2862b2036fb31f7cd1f75.jpg)
![9X2A7579imp.jpg 9X2A7579imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77882-605fd4bab40b44d874dc0802f282f97f.jpg)
![fullsizeoutput_403imp_edited-1.jpg fullsizeoutput_403imp_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77890-2b76d284a58f4e610b2c11b686ffd1eb.jpg)
![P1010209imp.jpg P1010209imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77899-39ef2fc169b143c0ce06aed70c505bdd.jpg)
I headed to Monument Valley for a couple of days relaxation, but the planned off-road overnight trip there couldn’t go ahead because a sandstorm had made the 4WD track impassable. Instead I just took in a sunrise and later did the touristy loop tour which, when I last did it about 20 years ago, wasn’t allowed in your own vehicle but now it is..
![IMG_0954imp3.jpg IMG_0954imp3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77893-21f96561459384b70c8578870e948484.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_1821imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1821imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77901-991acacf75b0b362ff3c34de64af8092.jpg)
![IMG_0967imp.jpg IMG_0967imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77898-2305ac966e6f80f28169b6cf9571a31b.jpg)
![IMG_0963imp.jpg IMG_0963imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77896-187326bd8fc5e5d0a0330c1dee1d3760.jpg)
A drive to the Vermillion Cliffs gave me about 4 hours to hike around the sandstone domes and slickrock until at sunset I found a patch of beautiful
Soft sand to lay down for the night,
![thumb_IMG_1830imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1830imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77873-4ba4fb4f8f187cd11f2623323c25d0d3.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2006imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2006imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77877-be7783a08a26fcbf002cddc70fa4e1f4.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_1998_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1998_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77883-d9ffa46c9bbeebc247ab5310546c71d5.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2017imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2017imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77884-6760c9b2fcf2c4ef6b57b86700019f5c.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_1953_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1953_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77881-72eecf6a847f53de2e45fc3ec5d9236d.jpg)
Giving the finger!!
Bac
k at
![thumb_IMG_1846imp.jpg thumb_IMG_1846imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77874-a6ad5bebee8763fe105edbef92096bf2.jpg)
Excited about what sunrise would bring as there was an area in the distance that I knew nothing about but which looked an interesting place to explore.
Indeed when I awoke another 2-3 hours of hiking fairly aimlessly flew by.
My DSLR has been destroyed in a soaking on Lake Powell so these were all taken on an iPhone, and not a recent model. I wonder how much better they might have been with my DSLR.
![thumb_IMG_2028imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2028imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77886-57401f1d2aaf14483fc2379007761e5a.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2050imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2050imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77891-f30d448455211880b18e256e06fe49a3.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2044imppano.jpg thumb_IMG_2044imppano.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77888-36239138943d3393aa4cd7a45328d322.jpg)
Back at the car by late lunchtime, I drove to another nearby area I’d visited a few years ago - this time wandering around with no particular target in mind for another very pleasant 3 hours. It looked promising for pictures and didn’t disappoint.
![thumb_IMG_2061imp2.jpg thumb_IMG_2061imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77892-02f0fb1ad8365b7dca54f23971db7227.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2086_1024panoimp_edited-1.jpg thumb_IMG_2086_1024panoimp_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77894-99c1b3d3606ec9cd9d95e47e73f24401.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2149imp2.jpg thumb_IMG_2149imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77895-3a14959ad95a452c145b3f610b0c352d.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2096_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2096_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77897-be551b025f9726fc95c981e3aaa720c7.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2147_1024imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2147_1024imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77900-bad0cf204793f0e0416089bb1f630488.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2079imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2079imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77902-d8b74686a5514d03e796bf6d239d2ae8.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2093imp.jpg thumb_IMG_2093imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77903-7c0970aa3225585d1fe7bddd461f180a.jpg)
![thumb_IMG_2082_1024imppano_edited-1.jpg thumb_IMG_2082_1024imppano_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77904-1738d71eb4d66380c10101c99070e55b.jpg)
Living in Europe, most of my trips have specific places in mind to see so it was fun to do rather more vague exploration in that area.
The loop then went way out of Arizona/Utah again to somewhere I’d left before feeling I had more to see. Years ago with a small rental not suited to sand I’d stood at the turn off for the 5 miles to Font Point at sunrise without seeing a car. It then got too hot & too late - we had to check out our motel - to hike the somewhat dull & sandy 10 miles. This time I was again disappointed to only get an AWD & not a 4WD but I risked it & I was fine. With increased visitor numbers to the parks there were also two other cars there this time, although it was sunset when more people would go.
I do love the barrenness of badlands ( as well as the Springsteen song)
![9X2A6835imp.jpg 9X2A6835imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77865-cfa5ae75c0918d4a5eae6a33f755e6bb.jpg)
Inspired by that view the next morning I decided to take the longer, sandier & riskier drive to the other best rim point. Sunrise and August with temperatures hitting 110 I would be alone but I reckoned with enough water army 7am I could still hike 10 miles to paved road if the vehicle did get stuck.
I got 4/5 the way when I reached a steep hill. I could have continued all the way ok but my concern was getting back up it so I hiked the remainder. This view was supposedly not as good but I liked it as much.
![9X2A6816imppano37x5.jpg 9X2A6816imppano37x5.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77863-6a4e9d8e739442e5b78d8a5db483e690.jpg)
![9X2A6816imppano37x5crop_edited-1.jpg 9X2A6816imppano37x5crop_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77864-8bdd87a074c022be9d68a339c1521fba.jpg)
![9X2A6864imp2.jpg 9X2A6864imp2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77867-2b5add9d82a335d97db9832b725986bb.jpg)
![9X2A6839impcrop.jpg 9X2A6839impcrop.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77866-5e46545f01a520b65cc0371042194fff.jpg)
The hike back to the car was ok but I realised why people don’t hike in summer. But I had another slot to do nearby with another 2 miles uphill!
There’s a few nice slots in the park - not Utah quality - but enjoyable.
![9X2A6874imp.jpg 9X2A6874imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77868-ce98a655128b6c3505e77b94ad3ef572.jpg)
![9X2A6902imp.jpg 9X2A6902imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77869-cb97258f3706379f6dad4e692c8174bb.jpg)
Then after an evening under the Superstitions it was on to Petrified Forest NP.
![9X2A7036imp2crop3pano.jpg 9X2A7036imp2crop3pano.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77870-e8efa45d201563315ab9e99c657264bc.jpg)
![9X2A7037imppano 2.jpg 9X2A7037imppano 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77871-412713aa534ad012c0c1fd2047c27f46.jpg)
Cloudy most of the time, we had a nasty shock at one viewpoint when a sudden thunderclap and bolt of lightning came out of nowhere and sounded really close. We could see a Long way but had not heard or seen anything approaching prior to that & I don’t remember much after.
![9X2A7073imppano7.jpg 9X2A7073imppano7.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77872-f7ec8751ded08dd75a9b09ae02db2e20.jpg)
![9X2A7058imp2 copy.jpg 9X2A7058imp2 copy.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77905-115b2dc846c114fdbe912931ef4bddf2.jpg)
A dawn drive to Grand Falls was followed by an eqully grey day until sunset produced a great rainbow.
![9X2A7097impsmaller_edited-1.jpg 9X2A7097impsmaller_edited-1.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77906-dbb141fe7150d366d5da1f5897fe044a.jpg)
![41453389_10157030150227590_162319346830409728_n.jpg 41453389_10157030150227590_162319346830409728_n.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77907-8094a90458d2ac31b2b6e945884f06f8.jpg)
The loop was completed by another attempt at the trip in Monument valley but this time forest fire smoke made visibility so bad that it wasn’t worth getting up high for the view.
So instead another day was spent deeper in the Vermillion Cliffs Monument hiking off the sand tracks courtesy of my friend Jack. There were colourful looking areas of slickrock patterns I’d been frustrated to leave on a previous visit so we were able to check them out more fully. As we headed out Jack picked an inspired spot to camp which fortunately retained water from recent rains.
![9X2A7813and8imp.jpg 9X2A7813and8imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77889-0b4b03f80532b608bf79a455611e4998.jpg)
![9X2A7721imp.jpg 9X2A7721imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77885-f6518ae9b4e7829f7d01c77174a6ee83.jpg)
![9X2A7738imp.jpg 9X2A7738imp.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/77/77887-34a4ac6010c4146d7a2e79e5c12c6b3f.jpg)