Canyonlands 2022

With the passing of our little boy Oreo (RIP) in January, Joan and I are now able to take trips together.  One trip we had pending was a couple week to Canyonlands, UT with our friends Larry & Kathy.

We miss you Oreo!

The general itinerary was to take a couple days to drive out to the Moab area, start out with 3 nights in Needles District, a couple nights in Moab, then the remainder in and around the Maze district.  As luck would have it, Tyler (our youngest son) and his girlfriend, Dani, would be in Las Vegas as we passed through on our way home so we got to visit with them too.  Oh, and pick up a little Omicron while we were at it (I can't recommend doing that!).

This was our first time in Needles District and it didn't disappoint.  The entrance takes you up & down Elephant Hill which is known for being a bit intimidating.  While there was not anything overly technical about it, the steepness and narrowness of it is indeed a little intimidating.  Especially when you are piloting an 11,000+ lb extended E350 van.  The next challenge for the van was the squeeze portion of the trail just before we got to our camp (Devil's Kitchen 4).  The Jeep made it through without incident, but trying to shove the van through this narrow gap took  three attempts eventually requiring the removal of the driver's side ladder (which was damaged pretty good on attempts 1&2).  During my attempts I had park rangers watching me from in front (I think in disbelief that I was even there) and another vehicle behind me in a hurry to get out and drive back to San Diego for work in the morning.

We spent three nights camped at Devil's Kitchen doing day hikes and generally enjoying the incredible scenery of the area.  Joan and I hiked The Joint Trail and Cyclone Canyon.  Both were amazing!  Oh, and I threw out my back for the first time on the trip lifting a cast iron pan (it doesn't take much sometimes).

Once out of Needles we spent a couple nights in Moab.  Enjoyed a great Mexican food meal on Cinco de Mayo, Joan & I hiked the full Devil's Garden trail in Arches NP, and Larry & Kathy took a jet boat tour.

We then headed off towards Maze District where we would be introduced to the hurricane force winds that would be with us the rest of our visit.  Joan & I have been to the Maze District before, but we stayed in areas of it we had not visited before.  We started with an afternoon hike of Horseshoe Canyon to view several petroglyph displays on the canyon walls.  It was very challenging hiking with most of it being deep sand.  The rest of our time with Larry & Kathy in the Maze District seemed to be highlighted by the wind that would chase us into our vehicles early in the evening.

Joan & I separated from Larry & Kathy after a few nights to head to one of my favorite camps located outside of the park.  Unfortunately I had underestimated the time it would take to get there and it turned out to be a very long day on the trail something I have promised to Joan I will avoid in the future at all costs.

Once at what I call "Happy Canyon" camp (not to be confused with the real Happy Canyon Camp) we again were chased indoors early due to high wind.  In the morning we prepared for our big hike to Happy Canyon.  This is a slot (or narrows) canyon I had visited before and wanted to share with Joan.  Minutes before leaving on the hike I would throw my back out for the second time.  This time lifting the porta-potti.  I just can't win sometimes.  The first 3-4 miles of the hike follow a somewhat level contour before plunging to the Dirty Devil river below (they really like using "Devil" to describe things around here).  I was in a lot of pain at this point so I waited while Joan made the trip to Happy Canyon on her own.

After another very windy night we packed up and started the trek towards Las Vegas where we would have a good time visiting with Tyler, Dani and her family (and contracting the Omicron virus).  Joan's symptoms started showing up on our final days drive from Las Vegas back home.  Mine would show up the next day.  Joan skated through her bout with the virus while it hit me full force.  Nearly 2 weeks later I'm stuck with a lingering cough but have finally tested negative.

While I worked the van very hard this trip it came back no worse for the wear and performed admirably.  A few scrapes on the bumpers, ladder repair needed and a few bruises under it's butt.  I have a while to get it in top shape for our next big trip with it to Baja in October.

Until then ....