Many people who have been following this blog may have noticed a sharp uptick in the amount of hikes that I’ve been logging and posting. Prior to 2015, I had a handful of hikes posted from some treasured favorites, but as of this past summer, it became a full-on blitz of new trails and explorations. So what prompted all these new postings? It all boils down to what’s become a ridiculously overused and oversaturated cliché of a quote by John Muir: “The mountains are calling and I must go.” I’ve actually seen it so much now that I can’t stand the sight of it. Yet the message behind it (which is completely lost on many people who display it) recently began to resonate in me much stronger in recent months than in previous years. Continue reading “Why Have I Been Posting So Many Hikes?”
Fairyland Loop
Elevation change for Fairyland Loop
Elevation profile and route courtesy of Route Scout
Distance: 8.5 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best time of year: Summer, Fall Continue reading “Fairyland Loop”
Flash Flooding at Hickman Bridge
My Experience
Under normal circumstances, Hickman Bridge is a nice, easy-going hike to a spectacular natural bridge. That was certainly the case the first time I hiked it in dry weather. With some rainy weather a few days later, I hiked it again at sunrise to hopefully get some nicely lit clouds and maybe even a rainbow, but came up empty. I went back again the next day, and got a lot more than I expected as flash flooding came in from two different locations.
Surprise Canyon
Elevation change for Surprise Canyon
Elevation profile and route courtesy of Route Scout
One of the really great things about Capitol Reef National Park, and any national park for that matter, is that unless otherwise indicated, you’re free to explore anywhere you want. Inside the Waterpocket Fold, this yields massive opportunities that I didn’t even get to come close to realizing. Continue reading “Surprise Canyon”