The last of our whirlwind post-Christmas Utah swing through three national parks, a state park, and BLM land, Zion is always a crowd favorite. And the crowds were out in force. Pandemic or not, holiday season or not, Zion was packed. Zion Canyon itself was closed without a reservation, so we confined our visit to the eastern side of the park. Still absolutely stunning!

Paula and I visited east Zion on December 30, 2020 and remained confined to our car except for photo taking to remain Covid safe. I was thrilled for her to see the beauty within the park. While I love everything about Zion National Park, the east side has an appeal to me because it is so different from Zion Canyon. Most of the granite structures are white instead of red. There is usually less traffic on the east side, but not this day, as you weren’t allowed onto a shuttle into the canyon without a pre-approved reservation. So everyone crowded to the east.

The drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel road (Hwy 9) is breathtaking, including through the mile-long tunnel and the twisty, winding road down to the canyon level. We did manage to find a picnic table with some solitude for a nice lunch in a pleasant breeze.

We were there a total of about five hours and left late in the afternoon to head back to our home in western Colorado. About that… on the drive back we learned that the AirBnB host might have contracted Covid from family over Christmas while we were gone.

Pivot to an emergency home search, and an abrupt change of plans. Instead of spending the last four days of our AirBnB contract there, we found a hotel room in Grand Junction where we stayed, and Paula worked, including on New Year’s Day. She has taught me to be adaptive and quick on my feet leading the nomad life.

This gallery includes pictures from the east side of Zion National Park in Utah. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

I have always dreamed of seeing the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park covered in a fresh blanket of snow. Well, my dream came true, with Paula.

I told you about the large snow dump that southern Utah had in the midst of our five day trip. It not only buried Escalante, but left a fresh powder at Bryce Canyon and Zion as well. My dream realized… and even better than I could have imagined because I was with Paula.

Once we were dug out in Escalante, we headed to Bryce on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. We had to be careful along the way because there were still sections of highway with snow, sometimes reducing our speed 40 mph below the limit. We did arrive safely though, and quickly found that only three miles of the 19 mile Bryce Canyon park road were open for traffic, but that didn’t matter to us. We made the most of a wonderful situation.

There weren’t a whole lot of people there, but because of the limited access, they were mostly crowded into the Sunset Point and Bryce Amphitheater parking. We had to loop Sunset Point parking three times to catch someone pulling out. Once on the Rim Trail though, the beauty was astounding. I have seen pictures over the years of Bryce in snow, but the reality was even more stunning than the dream.

The orange hoodoos were so, so beautiful with their white, snow-covered hats and the sunshine illuminating the sandstone. Paula and I were in awe. A truly remarkable day it was, and one I will never forget.

This gallery includes pictures from the limited access at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

Once all was said and done, the snowfall total was 10 inches.

The snow started about a half hour before we arrived at our destination, the Slot Canyons Inn of Escalante, Utah. Paula and I planned a post Christmas 2020 trip to the national parks of Utah. Our home base was to be this centrally located, cozy bed and breakfast. By the time we were settled in our room there was already 3-4 inches on the deck outside, and it continued through the night and into the next day, Monday December 28th.

When we awoke, we were greeted with a glorious, colorful sunrise and a true winter wonderland. It was beautiful! We had plans to go to Bryce Canyon, but we didn’t care. The snow covered trees, bushes and surrounding red rocks of Escalante were stunning. We spent the day enjoying the beauty, mostly inside in front of the southwestern style fireplace, but occasionally venturing out for a walk and big smiles.

If you ever find yourself in the region, we can heartily endorse the Slot Canyons Inn. Our host Joette was attentive to our every need and her lodge and cabins are charming, clean and inviting. Being a bed and breakfast there wasn’t a fridge or microwave in the room, but she offered use of the main kitchen for our comfort. With the cold and snow, Paula and I created a makeshift freezer on our private deck. Whoever the next guest was likely found the burritos we forgot when we checked out a couple days later. We laughed and laughed.

Joette’s son worked through the day and evening to clear the road to the main highway, and the next morning we were able to resume our national park exploration. The snow at Bryce Canyon and Zion was something I have always wanted to see. We will, however, always remember the romantic day we spent snowed in.

This gallery includes pictures from the Slot Canyons Inn of Escalante, Utah. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

The best kept secret among the Mighty Five of Utah’s national parks, Capitol Reef is no slouch when it comes to dynamic scenery and backcountry adventure. It is remote for sure. You will likely find yourself traversing the landscape on dusty dirt roads with names like Notom Bullfrog, Grand Wash, Burr Trail Road, and Strike Valley.

Following a lovely day at Goblin Valley State Park, on December 26, 2020 Paula and I spent the night in Torrey, Utah at the cozy Capitol Reef Resort, then set out for a day of exploration. We took in the Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center through Fruita to Grand Wash, then checked out the Goosenecks trail for precarious views into the Fremont River canyon. Wow was it cold there with howling wind. We huddled together to stay warm.

We drove more than 40 miles on the Notom Bullfrog Road through the heart of the magnificent Waterpocket Fold, then connected with Burr Trail Road to climb the switchbacks to the top of the western rim of the Fold. We drove three miles up the 4wd Strike Valley Road, attempting to reach Upper Muley Twist, but recent flash floods had made the full distance impassable. Darn!

We also wanted to visit Cathedral Valley, but were once again stymied by an impassable road. The park ranger told us even a 4wd vehicle would sink in deep, dry sand. Still, we had a lovely day reveling in the otherworldly geology found in this remarkable park. Don’t miss it if you find yourself nearby.

This gallery includes pictures from the Grand Wash, the Scenic Drive, the Goosenecks Trail, Notom Bullfrog Road, as well as Burr Trail and Strike Valley. At the end of the day my Subaru was covered with a layer of red dust, a sign we had a wonderful time. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

Believed to be evil, greedy, or mischievous, goblins are mythical creatures who bring trouble to humans, appearing in the folklore of multiple European cultures first attested in stories from the Middle Ages. Goblin Valley State Park, off Highway 24 at the San Rafael Swell in Utah includes an area where soft sandstone has eroded into interesting shapes, somewhat resembling these mythological goblins. In some spots the rock formations are close together and produce a maze-like playground ideal for exploration.

Paula and I visited Goblin Valley on December 26, 2020 on the first day of a five-day swing through canyon country in southern Utah. Most of our time there was spent walking in the Valley of Goblins, spanning nearly three square miles of free-roaming area that can be explored without need of rigid route finding. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit, having a great deal of fun. There were a lot of “wonder where this goes,” and “what’s over there?” comments throughout.

Late in the afternoon we also visited nearby Little Wild Horse Canyon, but didn’t go very far into the slots as dark was fast approaching. Paula was disappointed because she really wanted to experience a true slot canyon. We will find one for her as our future adventures continue.

When we left the area, we headed out on Scenic Highway 24 to Torrey, UT for our next day at Capitol Reef National Park. We were treated to a remarkable sunset along the way, with several stops for pictures. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Utah red rock country, so this trip brought back many fond memories of earlier excursions. It was so nice to share them now with Paula.

This gallery includes pictures from Goblin Valley State Park, Little Wild Horse Canyon, and a sunset along Highway 24. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

Located in the high desert canyon country of western Colorado, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area consists of approximately 123,430 acres of BLM-administered land near Fruita, Colorado. Originally known as Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area, the NCA was established by Congress on October 24, 2000. Internationally important fossils have been uncovered during more than a century of excavation. Pictograph and petroglyph sites abound, and the Old Spanish Trail, once referred to as the “longest, crookedest, most arduous mule route in the history of America,” runs through the NCA.

Twenty-five miles of the Colorado River wind their way through the NCA, attracting boaters and rafters who value a relaxing float through spectacular multi-hued sandstone canyons. The NCA is a recreation destination, drawing visitors to the world-class mountain biking on Mack Ridge and along the 142-mile Kokopelli Trail, which extends to Moab, Utah. Among its unique natural resources are the more than 75,000 acres of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, which includes the second-largest concentration of natural arches in North America.

McInnis surrounds Colorado National Monument leading to speculation this entire area may some day reach national park status. Hiking trails are abundant throughout with separate trailhead areas that include Devils Canyon, the Fruita Paleontological Area (FPA), Rustler’s Roost, and Horsethief Canyon among many others. Paula fell in love with the diversity of McInnis during her stay in Loma. Upon my arrival, I would have to agree. I had previously been to nearby CNM a handful of times over four decades, but had somehow missed McInnis. I’m so happy she took me, and shared her love of the canyons with me.

The week before Christmas 2020, Paula and I explored these trails several times, a nearby destination for after work evening exercise. The Fruita Paleontological Area, a small, half-mile square of bentonite just a few minutes from Fruita, particularly appealed to us. This tiny spot between the Colorado River and the soaring uplifts of McInnis Canyons preserves a diverse piece of prehistoric life from the Jurassic Period, dating back 150 million years. The terrain seems otherworldly, generally leaving us in awe. A feature of the FPA is Skinner Cabin, built in 1909.

Devils Canyon is a wildly diverse section of McInnis that has miles of trails through gorgeous canyons and to the river. We followed arroyos along pockmarked canyon walls and discovered red rock hoodoos that seemed like Earth’s natural architecture. A lot of “wonder where this goes” was happening. Wander on.

This gallery includes pictures from Devils Canyon and the FPA taken during several excursions into the area. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

One of these days you are likely to look up and see that Colorado National Monument, along with McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, has become a full-fledged national park. The stunning scenery certainly qualifies. With the acreage included in MCNCA, the size is there as well. The combination of NPS units offers a myriad of front country hiking trails and backcountry adventure.

A fellow named John Otto is who we can thank for the development of this picturesque and historic region of western Colorado near the small town of Fruita. Beginning in 1906 he built trails and started work on what would become the Rim Road. Otto once said, “I came here last year and found these canyons, and they feel like the heart of the world to me. I’m going to stay and build trails and promote this place, because it should be a national park.” Not long after, in 1911, President Taft signed the proclamation that established Colorado National Monument.

When I left North Carolina to join Paula out west, our home base was the little town of Loma, also near CNM. So we spent many days after her work, and on weekends exploring the region. I have been to Colorado National Monument a few times before when my brother lived in Colorado and have written trail reports, including this one of Monument Canyon. This post also includes some pictures from Monument Canyon, with a winter contrast.

On December 19, 2020 Paula and I drove the Rim Road from Devils Kitchen in the east to Balanced Rock at the west entrance. The Rim Road is 17 miles of stunning red rock scenery. Each curve will leave you breathless from the natural beauty that surrounds you. The photo at the top of this post is looking down into Monument Canyon from above. Then, on December 31 we took an afternoon hike up the lower section of Monument Canyon after a fresh snowfall. Simply delightful.

This gallery will give you a small idea of what Colorado National Monument is all about… from above, and from below. Enjoy the photos, and feel free to comment.

Ch-ch-ch-ch changes. David Bowie wrote of change in 1971, the year I was a freshman in college. For Bowie, it was a reflective song about stepping out on your own. I thought of that song and played it in my head as I sat down to compose this post. Not quite two months ago I made a major spontaneous change in my own life. I packed up a couple weeks of belongings and hit the road to travel across the country and make good on a number pf promises I had made to myself about retirement.

In coming posts about my experiences you will learn about Paula. She is wonderful. She is engaging. She is intelligent, caring and beautiful. She is also the love of my life. I have joined her nomadic lifestyle and am thoroughly enjoying every moment. Since mid-December 2020 we have had a number of exciting adventures in three states. We have formed a strong bond over our love of Nature, the outdoors, wildlife, and national parks.

This first story from my new life is a portrayal of the first day. I awoke in the back of my Subaru in Albuquerque, NM and drove through the four corners region to meet Paula at her AirBnB in western Colorado. Along the way I saw Shiprock in New Mexico, traveled the stunningly beautiful Scenic Highway 64 and 191 through NM, AZ and UT, making a brief stop in Arches National Park, before reaching her and the best hug ever.

Enjoy the photos, feel free to comment below, and follow along. I have a whole lot more to tell you.

Every year in early November I like to visit the Hickory Nut Gorge. It is on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide, and so a good thousand feet lower than most of the valleys in Western North Carolina. As such, the area is one of the last to experience glorious fall colors. You can count on the peak being somewhere between the 1st and the 14th.

I made two trips this year (2020), the first on November 4th and the second on November 9th. Everything was vibrant and pretty on the 4th, but there was still a lot of green left. So I gave it a few more days, and was rewarded with quite a change in appearance. It’s quite amazing how quickly things change.

Visiting many features as I normally do, you will see from the galleries below that I had stops at Morse Park, the beach at the Inn and Spa, The Flowering Bridge, Hickory Nut Falls, the Rocky Broad River, and the Rumbling Bald Trail Access. These photos are limited to the southern portion of the gorge.

I’ve divided the pictures into two galleries, on each of the days I visited, so be sure to peruse each one. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy!

November 4, 2020

November 9, 2020

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

The first day of October I took a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the high country north of Asheville, NC. The mountains here exceed 6,000 feet and the views seemingly go forever. It’s a captivating drive up, with plenty of pullouts so you can ooh and aah at the scenery. I tried to time my climb to catch some of the golden hour not long after dawn.

My first stop was the Craggy Pinnacle Trail at the Craggy Gardens section of the Parkway. It was a cloudless day, highly unusual in this area, particularly early morning. While the weather was top notch, clouds, of course, help with contrast and shadow for photography, so the conditions were challenging. Still, it was a delightful day to be out and about.

Next up was the 9 mile trip further north to Mt. Mitchell State Park. Not many visitors this day, as there were only about half a dozen of us at the summit. The cloudless sky continued as the views above 6,600 feet were instead hazy. A very little bit of fall color was beginning to show in the state park; still a ways to go.

Last stop was back at Craggy Gardens and the trail to Craggy Flats. I must admit to disappointment at the condition of the area. It’s obvious the pandemic has affected trail and viewshed maintenance here. There’s definitely an opportunity to volunteer at Craggy Flats. Contact the Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters to see how you can help.

Speaking of the pandemic, I wanted to comment that I was pleasantly surprised at the number of folks wearing masks. I would say three quarters of those I encountered were masked up, even on the hiking trails. Good job! What’s up with the rest of you?

Here are a few photos from my day in the north high country.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.