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| Hiking | 13.18 Miles |
2,794 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.18 Miles | | | |
| 2,794 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | Rainbow Bridge Spectacular:
First day--started out good, but a little late. We climbed the first three canyons with no real difficulty (up and down and up and down). We got to Yabut pass and peered down a 2000 ft drop that would be done in two miles. WOW! The origin of the name Yabut Pass eludes me but I think that the first expedition found the way better than the impassable canyon, but still thought it would kick ya but. The decent was steep and difficult, especially with 50lb+ packs, bad terrain and a poorly maintained trail. At the bottom, some of our team members expressed a reluctance (downright no way) to return this way as planned. This changed our plans to hike in 8 miles, base camp at first water, then day hike to the bridge and back. We camped at first water, a lovely spring and creek with pure clean water. Well, we thought it was clean until we saw dozens of mating canyon tree frogs in the course (time to get out the filter). The randy frogs regaled us with beautiful song all night, only to be drowned out by 30 mph winds.
The next day, after Johnny C. (friend from Page) had spent hours texting from a high rock, with a view of Navajo Mountain (only guarantee of signal in these here parts) we secured passage by tour boat for the reluctant round trippers. Before we left, we made a unanimous decision to break camp entirely and rush down to the Bridge to get on the boat. We couldn't break up the party because if anything went wrong we needed everything. We sped through to the Bridge, with one minor loss of direction, ( I blame the pace, not my extraordinary navigational skills ) then up and down Redbud Pass out the canyons to catch the shuttle. The shuttle was to leave at 11: 2Oish, we got there at around 11:30 missing it. We had arranged to get a pick up the next day if we missed, so we were fine with it. I was secretly happy to spend another day with the Bridge, but I knew that retrieving our vehicle, now a nearly 100 mile trek by car from the marina, was priority. We set up camp in the historic Echo Camp. This camp was used for sleeping quarters for tourists in the early days, before the lake encroached. These tourists included such folks as: Teddy Roosevelt, Barry Goldwater, Zane Grey and many others. This camp was a massive alcove big enough to hold 10-20 campers comfortably. The original steel spring beds were still there and usable, a wonderful respite for us from the ground and threatening rain. After a pleasant nights, sleep we set out early to hang out with the Bridge for a few hours, before our water coach arrived. This time was spent yoga like stretching, playing in the creek and using up our camera memory cards, and the rest of our food. Food and water could be consumed freely now knowing that the presence of another group (with horses and Navajo guides to ease their travel) was a true sign that our boat, and apparently their boat, was coming. Soon the boat, and simple, lazy tourists, piled out to see the Bridge, while we piled in to drink the rest of the free ($60 boat fee) lemonade. Our grand plans were dashed by circumstance, but we still got to see one of the most beautiful hikes in the entire country. Plus,the unexpected night a Echo Camp,which was a wonderful expiriance, would have never happened. I can't wait to go back and do it again, this time with more time. Anyone that wants to go maybe in October, preferably next April to get full flower potential, let me know. Thanks alot to PageRob for planning, permits and transport. Very much appreciated.
Hey Mr. Music
Ya sure sound good to me
I can't refuse it
What got to be, got to be
Feel like dancing
Dance cause we are free
I got my home
In the promise land
But I feel at home
Can you understand
Said the road is rocky
sure feels good to me
and if you're lucky
together we'd always be
Are you really riding?
the sun is a risin' the sign is a risin'
Moon is rising
Are you really riding? Are you really riding?
Rainbow country Rainbow country
Bob Marley |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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