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| An Atmospheric River Backpack, UT | |
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| | An Atmospheric River Backpack, UT | | | |
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An Atmospheric River Backpack, UT
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| no partners | | As I drove north the phone call I had been expecting came in; my Lake Powell guide wanting to reschedule the trip I had rescheduled from last year. Maybe the third time will be the charm. I had thrown a backpack in the Toyota as I had a feeling the trip would be cancelled. I had backup plans.
Happiness is when I see the "mother"--Navajo mountain. I had a canyon system I had done a little in in mind for this trip- [ photo ] . The slot canyon I had done was only one of several side canyons for the main off the Glen Canyon area. I would use this trip as a recon.
Bonus was parking just off a little traveled paved road so I didn't have to worry about miles of mud driving.
One hitch on getting up there was the Hat did not have fuel so I had to go out of the way which made me later than I wanted at the TH.
Next day pack on; the forecast was for rain for the next several days so I covered the pack and put on my rain anorak and headed down the wash. I specifically picked this entry exit as it was not a narrow canyon ( ok a few short sections) so I did not worry about flood flow.
At the main canyon I found a good campsite high under an overhang. It stayed mostly dry the entire time. I found a primo campsite later on down the main canyon that I plan to use when I return.
Once I set up camp I did as I normally do, just run around the general area. I went upcanyon to the slot I had gone down a few years ago--it did look like it had flashed recently. I noted the dilapidated ruin in a small alcove down canyon. I went up a small side canyon. I then went back to camp; the sun came out briefly and I ran around with the camera. The last I would see of it for a while.
Raining started that afternoon steadily. Most of my pics will likely be water splattered or blurry.
Next day I went down stream, staying on benches as much as I could and noting things. The down stream sidecanyons supposedly had some nice narrows that I would not avail myself of this trip but it was good to get the lay of the land.
I saw some boot prints but mostly horse prints from some cowboy that had ridden down recently. The bench trails gave some good views and optimal hiking in case of high water. The main canyon has a small stream, which got larger during my time there.
By the time I got back to camp I needed to dry myself and my raingear out. I had additional rain gear and of course dry clothes. I read ( Kent Frost " My Canyonlands") and generally sat and watched the sheets of rain. Later that night the tone of the stream below changed, perhaps a volume of water came thru.
It was magical watching the great domes of sandstone glow with the rain and small streams start running off of them. I packed up to go out, and it was good timing. The upper third of the dry wash I met the modest flow coming down; at that point no problem to avoid. Driving back was fun however because the rain turned to snow and the roads started getting slushy. I ended up car camping at Goosenecks State Park because all the sideroads were mud pits.
Great trip; pics won't be great but I know I will be back with perhaps a better weather window. I really enjoyed it though and found it no big deal to be in this aspect of the "atmospheric river". |
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