Willis Creek to Sheep Creek to Paria River - Sept 2012

[Moabchic78]

I recently went on my first solo backpacking trip to the Northwestern chunk of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. A month before this trip, while hiking in the same area with slc_dan, I had the harrowing experience of missing a turn in a loop trail we were attempting and winding up hiking 20+ miles and not getting back to our car until after 2 A.M. The area where we accidentally wandered was so beautiful I decided that I needed to come back with a pack and a better map and spend a few days wandering around.

wow such a great trip!!!! Keep us posted as you continue to chase that outlet!!

 

[Jammer]

Great shots/report Nate!

I'm glad you posted about that panel -- I've never been able to spot it. There is supposed to be some at Sheep/Paria as well, but I've not been able to find those either! And... ditto for the one Intuitive Cat mentioned in Muley Wash. I guess I'm frequently in a little too much of a hurry to track down panels when I don't know the exact location. Some day.

But... I do know that that is the bottom of the Bull Valley as it intersects with Sheep Canyon. So... you were on the right track, just the goodies are up quite a ways. But, in a way you were in the best part of the canyon near the top when you started.

Thanks,
- Jamal

 

[NateGeesaman]

Thanks Jamal!

I felt lucky to have seen that map panel myself. We didn't spot it on our first visit, but a little additional scrambling got me to it on my next visit. Intuitive Cat's instructions to the Muley's Wash panel worked out for me on Monday when I was down there. That is a really cool busy big panel.

Thanks for letting me know I was on the right track back there! Always appreciate your expertise