Hole in the Rock Road - May '12

[AustinCronnelly]

I had originally gathered beta and hoped to take my brother from Montana through Coyote Gulch in early May. At the time I was working 4-10's but due to a large project, I was switched to a regular 5 day work week. With the change in plans, I decided to camp and hit a few day hikes along the HITRR, also hoping to shoot a couple area's on my hit list. I ended up inviting a few more friends and our plans were set in stone. Turns out I was able to get some time off work but decided against backpacking because the new members in our group didn't have the equipment. This move was probably for the better, I don't know if everyone could have handled the miles with a heavy pack. There were pretty smoked after the day hikes I took them on...I don't think they all realized what they signed up for in coming with me. We ended up seeing the highlights, lower calf creek falls, Zebra + Tunnel, Devils Garden, Peekaboo + Spooky and Sunset Arch. The first night we camped along the Left Hand Collete Canyon Rd and 2nd night we camped at Dance Hall Rock, mainly so I had close access for a late evening shot at Sunset Arch. At this point they jokingly tried to mutiny, saying they wanted to come camp in Utah, not Arizona. Here are a few pictures of the highlights.

I also got a flat tire on HITRR on the way out.

Camping first night

Damn Lens Flare

Zebra

This was really cool. I took a couple quick snapshots and then went further up the canyon. I noticed a bird intensely watching from above the slot and didn't want to agitate the bird any further.

Great light at Sunset Arch.

The crew in the Dry Fork of Coyote

Featured image for home page:

 

[Dave]

That picture with the bird's nest is amazing... such a testament to life in the desert. One flash flood and all of the work in building/tending the nest is wiped out.

 

[John Fowler]

NIce report. ladigue_99 and I also saw the bird nest with eggs on May 13.

 

[AustinCronnelly]

NIce report. ladigue_99 and I also saw the bird nest with eggs on May 13.

Just missed you, we were there on the 12th.

 

[Nick]

Great shots, Austin.

 

[ladigue_99]

I like your capture of the nest, I wish I had thought of that kind of view, I only took a couple of details.