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| Golden Wall Trail #3095, UT | |
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| | Golden Wall Trail #3095, UT | | | |
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Golden Wall Trail #3095, UT
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| Hiking | 3.70 Miles |
848 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.70 Miles | 1 Hour 51 Mns | | 2.06 mph |
| 848 ft AEG | 3 Mns Break | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | This would be the 'wrap-up' hike at the end of our week in Utah, coming near the end of the first of two 'drive-home' days, this one will end in Kanab.
Although there was a pull-out along UT 12 immediately adjacent to the start of the trail, until stopping a quarter-mile later at the Red Canyon Visitor Center we were not aware of that.
But no matter, with a tentative plan to hike the loop, bringing us by the Visitor Center later, we decided to start from the parking lot. First a quick sprint across the road (Being the only entrance to Bryce Canyon, UT 12 was BUSY!) followed by the .25-mile walk along the paved path adjacent to the road to where the Golden Wall trail begins.
From the paved path there was a short drop down a steep and loose embankment to cross the dry but wide wash, followed by the short climb up the other side and we began the hike in earnest. The trail was well-marked, sometimes had a nice smooth tread, other times rocky and/or loose gravel, and farther up some spots where the trail was very narrow with a steep drop to the side. But other than the constant ascent (700' in 1.4 miles) the scenery made up for the effort. Rather than attempting to narrate the views along the way, I'll leave that to the photoset.
We would be threatened by very dark clouds rolling overhead a number of times, from sunshine to an ominous dark shade and back we wondered if/when we'd be dumped on. With clear skies at the parking lot, I saw no need for rain-gear, but Tracey had an extra windbreaker in her pack so we continued on.
At the junction with Castle Bridge Trail #33096, we took a moment to decide whether to follow it or continue on. Still planning on the full loop we stayed on the Golden Wall Trail. But by time we reached the high point and saw how far the steep trail dropped before the next ascent (~250' down/up), I took a quick physical inventory. I felt I had the energy to keep going, but my hamstring, still far from optimum, carried the day and we turned back. At least we can take in the Castle Bridge Trail on the return.
Other than Castle Bridge Trail providing generally steeper terrain, taking it very slow and methodically we made it back safe, albeit a bit tired, what with the 5+ hour drive from Wanship before the hike... and the 90-minute drive to Kanab yet to do.
Temps: 63-70°
Bonus:
Although this has nothing to do with the hike, I can't help but throw in a few details of where we stayed in Kanab... like almost EVERY place we have stayed in the last 3-4 years (Air BnB's/motels), it if was recently constructed, the workmanship is terrible. In this case, not only were the two doors/doorjambs far from plumb, the floor was most noticeable. As we walked in the door we could literally feel we were walking downhill. With but a moment to take that fact in, I set a water bottle on the floor sideways and it took off like a shot, rolling 'down' the floor. Almost forgot... there was a 1/2" gap between the tub and floor where we could see outside. Thankfully we had no critters or insects during our overnight stay. |
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