JohnTheLuck
Member
Wind and dust storm over Monument Valley right now. Our little woody cabin is shaking like hell... Can't sleep.
JohnTheLuck's Adventures Thread
- Thread starter JohnTheLuck
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Be safe, hope it passes soon
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 28:
Start point: Monument Valley, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
When we got up this morning after a mostly sleepless night due to a wind storm, the wind hadn't weakened. Getting the 4Runner ready, facing the wind, it was hard to breath. After the breakfast, when we went outside, we saw this big threatening dust cloud coming toward Monument Valley. It was a few kilometers from us, so we had a mission: leave NOW!
Fortunately, our itinerary brought us south while the clouds were moving eastward. We escaped alive, and after a few tens of kilometers, the sun was shining with almost no more clouds. But it was cold, as ... home!
Along the way, we stopped at Elephant Feet View Area, a funny looking set of rocks.
Our first destination of the day was Coalmine Canyon. We already went to the three official overlooks on a prior trip, but wanted to go back inside using a dirt road we noticed. This is not an official trail and is within the Hopi Reservation. There was no sign telling not to go, so we proceeded.
As we approached the canyon, great view arise before us. The thin layer of coal, near the top, was not worthy exploiting in the past, but this could change anytime, spoiling this great area.
Later, we encountered a lengthy section of plains and I was wondering if my end point would prove as good as seen on Google Map.
It didn't disappointed at all. After coming down a steep and sandy slope, the view opened up and unveil itself. What a great view!
The wind was still blowing and the temperature a mere 5C (about 40F), so we didn't explore as we had planed, and turned around.
We stopped in Tuba City for a quick lunch and headed north on US89. We were hoping to see some remnant of the 2013 landslide which closed this section for many months. Apart some trace on the mountain, there isn't much to see.
Continuing north, we took a secondary road to look at nice bentonite hills with cliffs above.
A little further on this road, we were fortunate to notice a fence protecting some petroglyphs. This is on Navajo Reservation and a sign warned us that approbation from the tribes were necessary to entered. We obeyed and took pictures above the fence. It is a shame this site is not open to the public since it has even more petroglyphs than Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands NP. We saw at least 15 rocks with abundant petroglyphs.
We finally arrived in Page and went to get informations about road and trail conditions. We concluded the day by traveling onto the Scenic Drive in Glen Canyon NRA.
Lone Rock with a lonely 4runner!
Alstrom Point, a very possible destination of the next few days.
The forecast mention good weather for the next three days. We should take advantage of this and do some wheeling. Yes!
.
Start point: Monument Valley, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
When we got up this morning after a mostly sleepless night due to a wind storm, the wind hadn't weakened. Getting the 4Runner ready, facing the wind, it was hard to breath. After the breakfast, when we went outside, we saw this big threatening dust cloud coming toward Monument Valley. It was a few kilometers from us, so we had a mission: leave NOW!
Fortunately, our itinerary brought us south while the clouds were moving eastward. We escaped alive, and after a few tens of kilometers, the sun was shining with almost no more clouds. But it was cold, as ... home!
Along the way, we stopped at Elephant Feet View Area, a funny looking set of rocks.
Our first destination of the day was Coalmine Canyon. We already went to the three official overlooks on a prior trip, but wanted to go back inside using a dirt road we noticed. This is not an official trail and is within the Hopi Reservation. There was no sign telling not to go, so we proceeded.
As we approached the canyon, great view arise before us. The thin layer of coal, near the top, was not worthy exploiting in the past, but this could change anytime, spoiling this great area.
Later, we encountered a lengthy section of plains and I was wondering if my end point would prove as good as seen on Google Map.
It didn't disappointed at all. After coming down a steep and sandy slope, the view opened up and unveil itself. What a great view!
The wind was still blowing and the temperature a mere 5C (about 40F), so we didn't explore as we had planed, and turned around.
We stopped in Tuba City for a quick lunch and headed north on US89. We were hoping to see some remnant of the 2013 landslide which closed this section for many months. Apart some trace on the mountain, there isn't much to see.
Continuing north, we took a secondary road to look at nice bentonite hills with cliffs above.
A little further on this road, we were fortunate to notice a fence protecting some petroglyphs. This is on Navajo Reservation and a sign warned us that approbation from the tribes were necessary to entered. We obeyed and took pictures above the fence. It is a shame this site is not open to the public since it has even more petroglyphs than Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands NP. We saw at least 15 rocks with abundant petroglyphs.
We finally arrived in Page and went to get informations about road and trail conditions. We concluded the day by traveling onto the Scenic Drive in Glen Canyon NRA.
Lone Rock with a lonely 4runner!
Alstrom Point, a very possible destination of the next few days.
The forecast mention good weather for the next three days. We should take advantage of this and do some wheeling. Yes!
.
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JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 29:
Start point: Page, AZ
End point : Page, AZ
Guys, you are in for a treat, today was an awesome wheeling day!
We left Page to access our first trail of the day, the Nipple Creek - Tibbett Canyon Road. This trail starts right after crossing Wahweep Creek near Big Water Fish Hatchery. Last night was so cold, a thin crush of ice was on top of the water!
The canyon is very scenic, with many crossing of the dry creek.
Later, we arrived at Mushroom Rock, a hoodoo right in the middle of the creek.
After climbing out of the creek, we arrived at a small plateau and saw the Nipple Rock which gave the name to the canyon and creek.
The road continues into Tibbett (or Tipppett) Canyon, a modest canyon not on par with Nipple Creek. It ends on Smoky Hollow Canyon Road on which we continued. This canyon is a lot more colorful and scenic.
Smoky Hollow Canyon Road ends onto Smoky Mountain Road which goes from Escalante to Big Water. We headed toward Big Water. On the way, the road offers nice view (except for the blinding sun) of page, Lake Powell, and the bench below.
The road descent sharply into the bench.
Down below, we arrived at the Sit Down Bench Road on which we turned. This road was supposed to be rough, but it was probably graded recently since it was in excellent conditions. Again, we encountered amazingly colorful sections.
We stopped to hike toward the Last Chance Bay at a point I identified with Google Map during my planning, hoping to see some water since all these roads don't offer any views at all. Success!
Continuing, we saw again incredible views.
After crossing Last Chance Creek, we finally arrived at our return point, the intersection of Croton and Grand Bench roads, at the base of the Fifty Mile Bench we saw earlier in the trip when riding onto Hole in the Rock road.
In the future, we will come back to explore this region and hopefully connects to the Hole in the Rock Road, but not before I get armor, lift, and RTT since it is a really remote region.
Returning the way we came, we headed onto Alstrom Point Road for the sunset onto Lake Powell and its colorful cliffs.
We already done this road a few years ago with a rental Tahoe with a nice air dam and low profile tires. I remembered we had some scraping and our progression was really slow. Among all the roads we drove today, this is by far the worst of them. But it was still manageable with care on a few spots.
As you saw, today was a blast!!!
.
Start point: Page, AZ
End point : Page, AZ
Guys, you are in for a treat, today was an awesome wheeling day!
We left Page to access our first trail of the day, the Nipple Creek - Tibbett Canyon Road. This trail starts right after crossing Wahweep Creek near Big Water Fish Hatchery. Last night was so cold, a thin crush of ice was on top of the water!
The canyon is very scenic, with many crossing of the dry creek.
Later, we arrived at Mushroom Rock, a hoodoo right in the middle of the creek.
After climbing out of the creek, we arrived at a small plateau and saw the Nipple Rock which gave the name to the canyon and creek.
The road continues into Tibbett (or Tipppett) Canyon, a modest canyon not on par with Nipple Creek. It ends on Smoky Hollow Canyon Road on which we continued. This canyon is a lot more colorful and scenic.
Smoky Hollow Canyon Road ends onto Smoky Mountain Road which goes from Escalante to Big Water. We headed toward Big Water. On the way, the road offers nice view (except for the blinding sun) of page, Lake Powell, and the bench below.
The road descent sharply into the bench.
Down below, we arrived at the Sit Down Bench Road on which we turned. This road was supposed to be rough, but it was probably graded recently since it was in excellent conditions. Again, we encountered amazingly colorful sections.
We stopped to hike toward the Last Chance Bay at a point I identified with Google Map during my planning, hoping to see some water since all these roads don't offer any views at all. Success!
Continuing, we saw again incredible views.
After crossing Last Chance Creek, we finally arrived at our return point, the intersection of Croton and Grand Bench roads, at the base of the Fifty Mile Bench we saw earlier in the trip when riding onto Hole in the Rock road.
In the future, we will come back to explore this region and hopefully connects to the Hole in the Rock Road, but not before I get armor, lift, and RTT since it is a really remote region.
Returning the way we came, we headed onto Alstrom Point Road for the sunset onto Lake Powell and its colorful cliffs.
We already done this road a few years ago with a rental Tahoe with a nice air dam and low profile tires. I remembered we had some scraping and our progression was really slow. Among all the roads we drove today, this is by far the worst of them. But it was still manageable with care on a few spots.
As you saw, today was a blast!!!
.
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Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
That last shot is especially gorgeous!
JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks! Wait to see today's photos...
JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks! I am really glad to hear that. More to come from today later.
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JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 30:
Start point: Page, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
Today was almost a drive-less day, with only less than 30 km on the road. We went onto a cruise toward Rainbow Bridge National Monument on the Lake Powell. We left at around 9:00 from Lake Powell Marina, under a clear sky but with cold air. With the low light, the colors were vibrant.
After a few minutes, we passed nearby Antelope Island, Alstrom Point, and Gunsight Bay.
After a bit less than two hours of cruising, we reached the small canyon going to Rainbow Bridge.
From the dock area, the hike is about a kilometer and a half to reach Rainbow Bridge. This is increasing as the water level from Lake Powell decreases. We then had our first sight of the bridge. Awesome!
The trail continues onto the other side by passing aside and not under as requested by the Navajo people.
After leaving Rainbow Bridge, the captain informed us that he was adding an extra to our cruise (is it really an extra?). For sure, this was extremely pleasant and exciting. We entered Cascade Canyon, a deep, twisting and narrow canyon, with the cruise boat.
The view of towering cliffs with only a few feet of free space on either side was incredible. The captain surely was a master in navigating in such precise conditions.
After arriving to a point where a rock in the middle of the narrow canyon blocked the way. Th boat turned around in a small widening of the canyon and we got out. That was absolutely spectacular.
We then headed out to Dangling Rope Marina to deliver mail and pickup their outgoing mail. This marina can only be reached by boat and at a time they were selling more than a million gallons of fuel yearly, making it the biggest fuel station in the US.
As we approached Lake Powell Marina, the low light and calm winds created astounding views of the cliffs.
That was an awesome day!
.
Start point: Page, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
Today was almost a drive-less day, with only less than 30 km on the road. We went onto a cruise toward Rainbow Bridge National Monument on the Lake Powell. We left at around 9:00 from Lake Powell Marina, under a clear sky but with cold air. With the low light, the colors were vibrant.
After a few minutes, we passed nearby Antelope Island, Alstrom Point, and Gunsight Bay.
After a bit less than two hours of cruising, we reached the small canyon going to Rainbow Bridge.
From the dock area, the hike is about a kilometer and a half to reach Rainbow Bridge. This is increasing as the water level from Lake Powell decreases. We then had our first sight of the bridge. Awesome!
The trail continues onto the other side by passing aside and not under as requested by the Navajo people.
After leaving Rainbow Bridge, the captain informed us that he was adding an extra to our cruise (is it really an extra?). For sure, this was extremely pleasant and exciting. We entered Cascade Canyon, a deep, twisting and narrow canyon, with the cruise boat.
The view of towering cliffs with only a few feet of free space on either side was incredible. The captain surely was a master in navigating in such precise conditions.
After arriving to a point where a rock in the middle of the narrow canyon blocked the way. Th boat turned around in a small widening of the canyon and we got out. That was absolutely spectacular.
We then headed out to Dangling Rope Marina to deliver mail and pickup their outgoing mail. This marina can only be reached by boat and at a time they were selling more than a million gallons of fuel yearly, making it the biggest fuel station in the US.
As we approached Lake Powell Marina, the low light and calm winds created astounding views of the cliffs.
That was an awesome day!
.
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JohnTheLuck
Member
Yes, it is quite a contrasting view, water surrounding sandstone cliffs. It was awesome!
.
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 31:
Start point: Page, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
Today, my wife wanted to hike a trail in Grand Staircase Escalante NM, the Lick Wash Trail. To reach this trail, we went onto Johnson Canyon, a paved road going deep into Grand Staircase-Escalante NM. Then, we used Skutumpah Road to reach the trailhead.
The beginning of the wash passes in a narrow section with large pine trees.
After a while, the narrows gives way to a larger wash with white, yellow, and pink cliffs getting taller as we progressed, reaching between 600 and 800 feet. We also got lucky with some sunny periods.
After getting back to the 4Runner, we continued onto Skutumpah Road which then become very winding and scenic. At one point, the horizon opened up and saw this nice panorama in the distance.
We then arrived at the intersection with Cottonwood Road, an extremely scenic gravel road which was our way back to the US89 near Page.
Tomorrow, there is a high probability of rain or thunderstorms. It might turn out as a laundry day. We will se tomorrow morning.
.
Start point: Page, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
Today, my wife wanted to hike a trail in Grand Staircase Escalante NM, the Lick Wash Trail. To reach this trail, we went onto Johnson Canyon, a paved road going deep into Grand Staircase-Escalante NM. Then, we used Skutumpah Road to reach the trailhead.
The beginning of the wash passes in a narrow section with large pine trees.
After a while, the narrows gives way to a larger wash with white, yellow, and pink cliffs getting taller as we progressed, reaching between 600 and 800 feet. We also got lucky with some sunny periods.
After getting back to the 4Runner, we continued onto Skutumpah Road which then become very winding and scenic. At one point, the horizon opened up and saw this nice panorama in the distance.
We then arrived at the intersection with Cottonwood Road, an extremely scenic gravel road which was our way back to the US89 near Page.
Tomorrow, there is a high probability of rain or thunderstorms. It might turn out as a laundry day. We will se tomorrow morning.
.
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Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
That sandstone narrows is really cool -- although I wouldn't want to be caught there during a thunderstorm!
susanbanthony25
New member
To say I'm envious of your trip would be an understatement. Great pictures! Very inspiring and thanks for sharing!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
JohnTheLuck
Member
You are totally right! This morning, just prior starting hiking, we look carefully at the sky. Even if there was some dark clouds, they were very small and not very concentrated over an area. We look upstream from where the real danger could come, and the sky was a lot better there.
I wouldn't go tomorrow for sure.
JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks for the good comments! It is a pleasure to share my trip, as many others did before me.
JohnTheLuck
Member
In preparation to spend the day outside hiking or 4WD trails because of the thunderstorm forecast, does anyone know a good place to see flash floods around Page? I know those two places only:
- Antelope Canyon
- Wahweap Creek that we crossed two days ago
Any other good places accessible mostly by pavement?
- Antelope Canyon
- Wahweap Creek that we crossed two days ago
Any other good places accessible mostly by pavement?
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Capt.Canuck
New member
Looks awesome John, thanks for sharing!
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 32:
Start point: Page, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
Today started as a boring day at the laundry shop. Luckily, we found one opened as early as 7:00. At 9:00 everything was finished. We then had to compose with the precipitations that already started, but lightly. In the distance, we could see dark clouds and rain.
We headed toward Antelope Canyon, which hs a reputation for flash floods; there was many cars but the gate was closed. I guess they were monitoring the situation to evacuate in case of flood.
We then headed up to see if Wahweap Creek was getting bigger. The sandy road near the river ford was very soft, so I didn't made it near the banks. The creek was effectively bigger, but by a factor of about 3, not so impressive.
We then headed toward Church Well to go see White Rocks. The road, first on sand was still passable, but later, we entered a section over bentonite. I was driving cautiously until I felt the 4Runner sliding while descending a small hill. I stopped right away, knowing I was heading in danger zone since bentonite is almost more slippery than ice, and my KO2 are not Mud and Terrain tires. We turned over, and decided to stay on pavement.
We then got back to Glen Canyon NRA onto the Scenic Drive. There was nice views of the Smoky Mountain and Lake Powell.
During the afternoon, we had a few openings in the clouds, unveiling some snow on Navajo Mountain. definitively, winter is getting closer.
Still touring in the 4Runner, we drove on US89 toward Flagstaff. We arrived at the bridge over Waterholes Canyon. Stopping for a view, we realized there was snow in the canyon and on the road shoulder. That's only a few hundred feet above Page altitude. Winter is coming too fast!!!
After an early lunch, we headed again to the Scenic Drive to get a nice view of the shower clouds moving away, and we were welcomed with this spectacular double rainbow.
On our way back to the hotel, while crossing Glen Canyon Bridge, we noticed this unusual fall down the Glen Canyon.
Tomorrow, we don't know yet what we will do since the heavy rain already damage some roads, like to one going to the Chains Area, where we were planning to hike tomorrow.
.
Start point: Page, AZ
End point: Page, AZ
Today started as a boring day at the laundry shop. Luckily, we found one opened as early as 7:00. At 9:00 everything was finished. We then had to compose with the precipitations that already started, but lightly. In the distance, we could see dark clouds and rain.
We headed toward Antelope Canyon, which hs a reputation for flash floods; there was many cars but the gate was closed. I guess they were monitoring the situation to evacuate in case of flood.
We then headed up to see if Wahweap Creek was getting bigger. The sandy road near the river ford was very soft, so I didn't made it near the banks. The creek was effectively bigger, but by a factor of about 3, not so impressive.
We then headed toward Church Well to go see White Rocks. The road, first on sand was still passable, but later, we entered a section over bentonite. I was driving cautiously until I felt the 4Runner sliding while descending a small hill. I stopped right away, knowing I was heading in danger zone since bentonite is almost more slippery than ice, and my KO2 are not Mud and Terrain tires. We turned over, and decided to stay on pavement.
We then got back to Glen Canyon NRA onto the Scenic Drive. There was nice views of the Smoky Mountain and Lake Powell.
During the afternoon, we had a few openings in the clouds, unveiling some snow on Navajo Mountain. definitively, winter is getting closer.
Still touring in the 4Runner, we drove on US89 toward Flagstaff. We arrived at the bridge over Waterholes Canyon. Stopping for a view, we realized there was snow in the canyon and on the road shoulder. That's only a few hundred feet above Page altitude. Winter is coming too fast!!!
After an early lunch, we headed again to the Scenic Drive to get a nice view of the shower clouds moving away, and we were welcomed with this spectacular double rainbow.
On our way back to the hotel, while crossing Glen Canyon Bridge, we noticed this unusual fall down the Glen Canyon.
Tomorrow, we don't know yet what we will do since the heavy rain already damage some roads, like to one going to the Chains Area, where we were planning to hike tomorrow.
.
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