Utah Wanderings

o2bav8

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After seeing all the cool Trip Reports I thought I'd share last year's adventure in Utah...

Leaving the Sunshine State of Arizona behind I headed for Utah, just days before the Government Shut down last year. Heading first for Capitol Reef, I thought I'd check out the Goosenecks of the San Juan river along the way.

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Halls Creek Narrows was first & I found myself camping out at the shortcut route trail head for a couple of nights.
Very scenic & quiet isolated, I didn't see a single person for 3 days out there.

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Working my way north after Halls Creek, I stopped at Surprise & Headquarter Canyons.
Both were a quick & easy pit stop before heading to Escalante for some supplies.
Definitely want to get back & do Upper & Lower Muley.

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By now the Government Shut Down was in effect... and for some reason I felt the irresistible urge to visit Lower Calf Creek Falls.... and I wasn't the only one, the Lower Calf was packed! Cars were lined up all along highway 12.

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Looking for something a little more remote I decided to check out Upper Calf Creek & after some wandering found The headwaters of Calf Creek & a cool fossil near by.

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Leaving the Government Chaos being, I headed south to Big Horn Canyon. Really enjoyed the colors & various slots of Big Horn... was always something different around every corner.



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The end of the Hole-in-the-Rock road was my next destination. I was hesitant that I could make it, the roads had been recently washed out & the last road condition report said high clearance 4x4 was needed for the last 7 miles. Well, I think it was just a scare tactic as technically Glen Canyon was closed... the road was in great shape & if anything the last 7 miles were the easiest!

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I was hesitant that I could make it, the roads had been recently washed out & the last road condition report said high clearance 4x4 was needed for the last 7 miles. Well, I think it was just a scare tactic as technically Glen Canyon was closed... the road was in great shape & if anything the last 7 miles were the easiest!

The road conditions report always says that the last 7 miles requires 4x4
 
Your shot of the Hall's Creek overlook has me salivating for some Waterpocket Fold goodness. Good idea on camping out there for a while, lots of great stuff down there.
 
Nice photos and report. I presume you hiked in the Halls Creek Narrows. I wondered if you reckoned someone with no climbing or rope experience or knowledge could get down and back up the shortcut route (I can scramble and I'm pretty fit). It makes it a day trip instead of 2 days on the long route, but I was worried if I can't get back up and I'm stuck there with no camping equipment it won't be good and carrying precautionary camping equipment would make the route down and back tougher?
Also could a 2 wheel drive airport rental car, possibly with little clearance, get to the shortcut trailhead or long route trailhead.
Thanks, Ross
 

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