bruce from bryce
07-21-2006, 04:46 AM
Accompanied the NPS Hydrologist into Halls Creek for water sampling
and a little narrows hike.
Dropped into (literally; almost 1000 feet) the creek at 7:30pm and
hiked til 10pm whereupon we found a nice flat piece of slickrock and
bedded down for the night. First time sleeping on the red rock and I
found it to be almost soft, not like the Zion NP campground.
Up at 6am and hiked 45 minutes to the end of the narrows where we
build an earthen dam (Corp of Engineers and the resident beaver
would have been proud) to ensure we caught all of the water and
forced it through the 15 lb flume that we carried in with us; along
with the other 20 lbs of professional gear plus our water, food,
sleeping setup, etc.
Finished the testing about 9am and started our hike into the
narrows. Immediately Dave says the recent flash flood has changed
the character and depth of the canyon. Whoops I slip and am over my
head. We exited this section avoided some deep water by clinging to
the cottonwoods overhanging the water's edge then came to a
seriously deep pool (see photos). Considering the price tag on some
of Dave's equipment we dropped the packs and headed, swam, up the
narrows for about 1 hours. Three more swims, one through a section
no more than 4 feet wide brought us to a spectacularly tight canyon
with soaring walls of Navajo sandstone. Why did the creek decide
that this rock was weak and proceed to drill through the rock at
this point. There are very few other places like this in Capital
Reef.
Swam back to our packs for the 3 1/2 hike back to the climb out.
Thankful for the cottonwoods about every 30-45 minutes. Temps were
100-105 and our water was quickly warmed (heated) by the sun. Made
suggestion to Dave that in the summer months he cache water at
bottom of climb in one of the cool alcoves that dot the hillside.
Added that the cache should actually be ice that will melt during
the time in the creek and hopefully still be somewhat cool when
needed.
Got through the climb with a little help from Dave, thank you, and
then were back in Bryce after a 3 1/2 drive. Had business cards
from Chief Ranger and another LE who were in the canyon also. Heard
they told friends here at Bryce that the climb out had kicked their
ass also.
This is definitely a cooler month hike, but then again I asked Dave
if I could accompany him. Will go back later for a quick in and out
without the water sampling.
and a little narrows hike.
Dropped into (literally; almost 1000 feet) the creek at 7:30pm and
hiked til 10pm whereupon we found a nice flat piece of slickrock and
bedded down for the night. First time sleeping on the red rock and I
found it to be almost soft, not like the Zion NP campground.
Up at 6am and hiked 45 minutes to the end of the narrows where we
build an earthen dam (Corp of Engineers and the resident beaver
would have been proud) to ensure we caught all of the water and
forced it through the 15 lb flume that we carried in with us; along
with the other 20 lbs of professional gear plus our water, food,
sleeping setup, etc.
Finished the testing about 9am and started our hike into the
narrows. Immediately Dave says the recent flash flood has changed
the character and depth of the canyon. Whoops I slip and am over my
head. We exited this section avoided some deep water by clinging to
the cottonwoods overhanging the water's edge then came to a
seriously deep pool (see photos). Considering the price tag on some
of Dave's equipment we dropped the packs and headed, swam, up the
narrows for about 1 hours. Three more swims, one through a section
no more than 4 feet wide brought us to a spectacularly tight canyon
with soaring walls of Navajo sandstone. Why did the creek decide
that this rock was weak and proceed to drill through the rock at
this point. There are very few other places like this in Capital
Reef.
Swam back to our packs for the 3 1/2 hike back to the climb out.
Thankful for the cottonwoods about every 30-45 minutes. Temps were
100-105 and our water was quickly warmed (heated) by the sun. Made
suggestion to Dave that in the summer months he cache water at
bottom of climb in one of the cool alcoves that dot the hillside.
Added that the cache should actually be ice that will melt during
the time in the creek and hopefully still be somewhat cool when
needed.
Got through the climb with a little help from Dave, thank you, and
then were back in Bryce after a 3 1/2 drive. Had business cards
from Chief Ranger and another LE who were in the canyon also. Heard
they told friends here at Bryce that the climb out had kicked their
ass also.
This is definitely a cooler month hike, but then again I asked Dave
if I could accompany him. Will go back later for a quick in and out
without the water sampling.