John Morrow
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2015
- Messages
- 1,065
I was delighted that about a week before departing for the desert, my friend Lori called to say she'd take a week off of work and fly into Grand Junction to join me for a few hikes. I crafted a plan for a couple backpacks and secured permits. It had been 10 years since we'd been in Southern Utah together and she'd never been to Canyonlands nor Greater Bears Ears. We started with two nights in the heart of Canyonlands National Park Needles District. Our plans for Bears Ears backpacking were continually modified as the Zags Men's hoop team made their run to the NCAA Championship Game. But, this is a Canyonlands report first.
April 1:
I picked up Lori at the Grand Junction Airport around noon. We had time to shop for food in Moab, pick up our permit, pack and hike into our first camp at Elephant Canyon EC1 Camp, a short hike from Elephant Hill TH.
Elephant Canyon Evening by John Morrow, on Flickr
Not sure what is going on here... by John Morrow, on Flickr
April 2:
We packed up leisurely, hiked to the Elephant Canyon/Chesler Park junction, and stashed packs. Then we did the wonderful hike to Druid Arch at the head of Elephant Canyon.
Lori heads toward Druid Arch by John Morrow, on Flickr
deepening canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
vertical by John Morrow, on Flickr
infamous (poor afternoon light) by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then back down canyon and on toward Chesler Park for our second night camp at Chesler Park CP4 Camp. Once again I explored for routes to Chesler Wash/Virginia Park to no success.
Down Elephant Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
Lori for perspective by John Morrow, on Flickr
Arriving into Chesler by John Morrow, on Flickr
CP4! by John Morrow, on Flickr
Evening Light by John Morrow, on Flickr
April 3:
Another leisurely morning and great (camp) neighbor conversation and we were off to complete the Chesler Loop Trail back to the TH.
Fins to Ernies Country by John Morrow, on Flickr
Above Elephant Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
Chesler Park by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then it was time to find a Television to watch the Final Four Gonzaga vs. UCLA and it did not disappoint!!!!
April 1:
I picked up Lori at the Grand Junction Airport around noon. We had time to shop for food in Moab, pick up our permit, pack and hike into our first camp at Elephant Canyon EC1 Camp, a short hike from Elephant Hill TH.
Elephant Canyon Evening by John Morrow, on Flickr
Not sure what is going on here... by John Morrow, on Flickr
April 2:
We packed up leisurely, hiked to the Elephant Canyon/Chesler Park junction, and stashed packs. Then we did the wonderful hike to Druid Arch at the head of Elephant Canyon.
Lori heads toward Druid Arch by John Morrow, on Flickr
deepening canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
vertical by John Morrow, on Flickr
infamous (poor afternoon light) by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then back down canyon and on toward Chesler Park for our second night camp at Chesler Park CP4 Camp. Once again I explored for routes to Chesler Wash/Virginia Park to no success.
Down Elephant Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
Lori for perspective by John Morrow, on Flickr
Arriving into Chesler by John Morrow, on Flickr
CP4! by John Morrow, on Flickr
Evening Light by John Morrow, on Flickr
April 3:
Another leisurely morning and great (camp) neighbor conversation and we were off to complete the Chesler Loop Trail back to the TH.
Fins to Ernies Country by John Morrow, on Flickr
Above Elephant Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
Chesler Park by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then it was time to find a Television to watch the Final Four Gonzaga vs. UCLA and it did not disappoint!!!!
