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This is going to be the first of three trip reports from a backpacking trip I took to the Lake Powell/Bullfrog area this past weekend. We covered so much terrain and saw so many unique sections of canyon. It would just be too much to stuff into one trip report, instead I'll do one on Maidenwater Canyon, one on Trachyte Creek and one on Swett Creek.
Part 2: Trachyte Creek
Part 3: Swett Creek
April 2012
This trip got bumped around a bit leading up to it. We had originally planned it for the weekend of the April 15th but nasty weather forced it back a week. Luckily, a big high pressure moved in just as the trip began and we had perfect weather all the way through. Unfortunately, DOSS and some things come up at the last minute so it ended up just being myself and my old friend Nate with his dog, Sonny.
We made it down to The Swell a little before sunset and decided to camp at Uneva Canyon for the night before heading on to Maidenwater. It was a little windy and I was hoping being right up against the reef would keep us sheltered. It did. We had a bit of time before dark so we hiked up and checked out the Uneva Mine.
We didn't bring a light with us so we used my cel phone light and hiked in a hundred feet or so.
As we started hiking back out, I realized I was missing a killer sunset so I stepped it up and practically ran most of the way out of the canyon.
The view of the sunset from camp at the mouth of Uneva Canyon.
The last of it as Venus makes it's appearance.
We were up so late that night. I don't get out with Nate often and when we do, it always seems to end in a late night. But we made pretty good time and started heading back down the nasty road to from Uneva Canyon.
We made a quick stop for gas in Hanksville and were on our way with the exception of a quick stop to do a favor for a friend. Jamal over at www.acrossutah.com (@Jammer here on backcountrypost) had just started an epic backpacking trip from Bryce Canyon to Moab and we were lucky enough to help by stashing a cache of supplies for him along the way. If you haven't checked out Jamal's videos from his long backpacking trips, you are missing out!
We made it to Maidenwater where we dumped the packs, myself and Sonny while Nate took the truck over to the trailhead at Swett Canyon where we would finish the hike. We threw in my wife's bicycle for him to pedal the 4 miles back.
So while Nate was cruising through the desert getting weird looks from passing cars, Sonny and I sat under a small Juniper, out of sight from the main road and waited. After about an hour Nate was back, the bike was stashed and we were on our way down into Maidenwater Canyon.
The first thing we noticed was the impressive bridge construction where SR 276 goes over the top of the canyon.
I totally figured it was just a culvert with a ton of debris on top but they had actually filled the canyon with debris and tunneled all the way through a bend in the canyon.
The first half hour or so was nice. Basically just a shallow slot with an occasional bit of narrows. There was one spot with a small dryfall that is easily bypassed on the left. A while after that, and downstream from the confluence with North Fork Maidenwater, we encountered this very large dryfall. I would guess it at about 50-60 feet. Fortunately there was a nice trail on the left that you can see in this photo.
That trail led to this slick rock down-climb which was a little sketchy with big packs but otherwise fine.
Below the dryfall, the canyon started to get deeper and more narrow.
There were occasional obstacles but nothing major.
Soon we got to a point where cottonwoods were everywhere. This was soon followed by the first flowing water in the canyon.
One of the deeper pools. I don't think we were ever forced into anything deeper than about waist deep.
Check out this amazing Cottonwood that has managed to grow in this dark section of the canyon.
We didn't see anyone else in the canyon this day but we there were a couple sets of footprints. About 2/3 of the way through, we came upon a message in the sand that read "Hi
on weed". Particularly amusing as it was April 20th.
The best narrows in the canyon were all above the wet portion but it was still a beautiful and very pleasant hike.
Towards the end of the canyon, we came upon a side canyon called Blushing Bride. It ends at a large, incredibly deep pot hole. This one looked like it was at least 15 feet deep. We dare each other to take a dip but it was in the shade and looked kinda hard to get back out of.
Looking up at the final slide in Blushing Bride
Lower Maidenwater was loaded with springs, seeps and hanging gardens.
Sonny at a waterfall
Sonny splashing into the pool below that waterfall.
Further down, we got to a section where water was pouring down from all around the river. It was very cool but also very slippery.
Finally the canyon widened up and the river flattened out for the final stretch before reaching Trachyte Creek.
Looking back up at Maidenwater Canyon from Trachyte Creek
It was already getting pretty late in the day at this point. We were waiting to see the water quality in Trachyte Creek before deciding how much further to hike. If it was really silty like it often is, we would need to camp nearby Maidenwater or much further down at Woodruff Canyon, the next reliable source of water. But to our surprise, Trachyte was crystal clear. So we decided to just start heading down canyon and land where we land. The best way to backpack.
This was part 1/3 of this trip. Keep an eye out for my trip report on the Trachyte and Swett Creek sections in the next few days.
Continue reading parts 2 and 3:
Part 2: Trachyte Creek
Part 3: Swett Creek
Part 2: Trachyte Creek
Part 3: Swett Creek
April 2012
This trip got bumped around a bit leading up to it. We had originally planned it for the weekend of the April 15th but nasty weather forced it back a week. Luckily, a big high pressure moved in just as the trip began and we had perfect weather all the way through. Unfortunately, DOSS and some things come up at the last minute so it ended up just being myself and my old friend Nate with his dog, Sonny.
We made it down to The Swell a little before sunset and decided to camp at Uneva Canyon for the night before heading on to Maidenwater. It was a little windy and I was hoping being right up against the reef would keep us sheltered. It did. We had a bit of time before dark so we hiked up and checked out the Uneva Mine.
We didn't bring a light with us so we used my cel phone light and hiked in a hundred feet or so.
As we started hiking back out, I realized I was missing a killer sunset so I stepped it up and practically ran most of the way out of the canyon.
The view of the sunset from camp at the mouth of Uneva Canyon.
The last of it as Venus makes it's appearance.
We were up so late that night. I don't get out with Nate often and when we do, it always seems to end in a late night. But we made pretty good time and started heading back down the nasty road to from Uneva Canyon.
We made a quick stop for gas in Hanksville and were on our way with the exception of a quick stop to do a favor for a friend. Jamal over at www.acrossutah.com (@Jammer here on backcountrypost) had just started an epic backpacking trip from Bryce Canyon to Moab and we were lucky enough to help by stashing a cache of supplies for him along the way. If you haven't checked out Jamal's videos from his long backpacking trips, you are missing out!
We made it to Maidenwater where we dumped the packs, myself and Sonny while Nate took the truck over to the trailhead at Swett Canyon where we would finish the hike. We threw in my wife's bicycle for him to pedal the 4 miles back.
So while Nate was cruising through the desert getting weird looks from passing cars, Sonny and I sat under a small Juniper, out of sight from the main road and waited. After about an hour Nate was back, the bike was stashed and we were on our way down into Maidenwater Canyon.
The first thing we noticed was the impressive bridge construction where SR 276 goes over the top of the canyon.
I totally figured it was just a culvert with a ton of debris on top but they had actually filled the canyon with debris and tunneled all the way through a bend in the canyon.
The first half hour or so was nice. Basically just a shallow slot with an occasional bit of narrows. There was one spot with a small dryfall that is easily bypassed on the left. A while after that, and downstream from the confluence with North Fork Maidenwater, we encountered this very large dryfall. I would guess it at about 50-60 feet. Fortunately there was a nice trail on the left that you can see in this photo.
That trail led to this slick rock down-climb which was a little sketchy with big packs but otherwise fine.
Below the dryfall, the canyon started to get deeper and more narrow.
There were occasional obstacles but nothing major.
Soon we got to a point where cottonwoods were everywhere. This was soon followed by the first flowing water in the canyon.
One of the deeper pools. I don't think we were ever forced into anything deeper than about waist deep.
Check out this amazing Cottonwood that has managed to grow in this dark section of the canyon.
We didn't see anyone else in the canyon this day but we there were a couple sets of footprints. About 2/3 of the way through, we came upon a message in the sand that read "Hi
on weed". Particularly amusing as it was April 20th. The best narrows in the canyon were all above the wet portion but it was still a beautiful and very pleasant hike.
Towards the end of the canyon, we came upon a side canyon called Blushing Bride. It ends at a large, incredibly deep pot hole. This one looked like it was at least 15 feet deep. We dare each other to take a dip but it was in the shade and looked kinda hard to get back out of.
Looking up at the final slide in Blushing Bride
Lower Maidenwater was loaded with springs, seeps and hanging gardens.
Sonny at a waterfall
Sonny splashing into the pool below that waterfall.
Further down, we got to a section where water was pouring down from all around the river. It was very cool but also very slippery.
Finally the canyon widened up and the river flattened out for the final stretch before reaching Trachyte Creek.
Looking back up at Maidenwater Canyon from Trachyte Creek
It was already getting pretty late in the day at this point. We were waiting to see the water quality in Trachyte Creek before deciding how much further to hike. If it was really silty like it often is, we would need to camp nearby Maidenwater or much further down at Woodruff Canyon, the next reliable source of water. But to our surprise, Trachyte was crystal clear. So we decided to just start heading down canyon and land where we land. The best way to backpack.
This was part 1/3 of this trip. Keep an eye out for my trip report on the Trachyte and Swett Creek sections in the next few days.
Continue reading parts 2 and 3:
Part 2: Trachyte Creek
Part 3: Swett Creek
