New for Autumn at [url]http://richardbarron.net/[/url]

[R]

Hey, everybody. Cool new stuff...

http://richardbarron.net/new/

Also, headed to Utah on the 21st with Abby for our anniversary, then again on November 5th with a buddy for some harder core hiking. Hope to see one or all of you there. :nod:

[rockgremlin]

Damn good stuff in there Richard.

Where are ya goin hiking in November?

[R]

Since Abby and I got married at Delicate Arch, for the October trip, I want to take her back there. That's about her limit, since over the past year she has been struggling with increasing rheumatoid disease. She just saw a specialist, and we remain optimistic.

In November, my friend Ian, who is 15 years younger than I am, but who has little Utah experience, and I are hoping to hike in the Swell. I am wanting to see the following...

-Ding-Dang
-Wild Horse Window
-Crack Canyon Trail
-Chute Canyon Trail
-Three Finger Canyon
-The area of The Wedge

-Also, any of the trails I haven't done in Canyonlands

We're going to try to make the trip as cheap as possible, so we'll probably camp much of the time.

Also, I hadn't read the Baptist Draw accident thread...

http://climb-utah.com/SRS/baptist1.htm

...until today, and found it rather chilling. Chilling but not deterring.

Ideas? Suggestions?

-R

[Udink]

-The area of The Wedge
Are you going to be mostly near the Wedge overlook, or will you be heading out into the more remote areas of the Wedge? I did some hiking there earlier this year, trying to get to the far southeastern tip of the Wedge, but could only get within about a mile of there before encountering a lot of difficult obstacles. If you'll be hiking around that area, and wouldn't mind somebody tagging along, I'd love to meet up with you and check the area out some more. :nod:

[rockgremlin]

The Wedge Overlook -- you GOTTA DO IT!!!! It's gorgeous!! It's nicknamed the "Little Grand Canyon." It really is one of the more beautiful parts of Utah IMO.

After checking out the Wedge overlook, drive east down Buckhorn Wash to the San Rafael River. There is a really nice pictograph panel along the way. The area of the San Rafael River is also very beautiful and scenic.

[R]

Ian and I are game for anything that does not require technical canyoneering, for which we have no gear or experience. All I have of the Wedge is my Trails Illustrated and some web pages. I'm sure we could check out Cow, Calf and Pine in half a day. Game for whatever else. One thing is that we don't have a Jeep, though I've never hesitated to hike a mile or two to get to a trailhead.

-R

[R]

The Wedge Overlook -- you GOTTA DO IT!!!! It's gorgeous!! It's nicknamed the "Little Grand Canyon." It really is one of the more beautiful parts of Utah IMO.

After checking out the Wedge overlook, drive east down Buckhorn Wash to the San Rafael River. There is a really nice pictograph panel along the way. The area of the San Rafael River is also very beautiful and scenic.

Hey, what's all this unmarked trailage I see on my map that's below and just southest of the Wedge overlook? Anything decent? -R

[rockgremlin]

Are you talking about those dirt roads that run parallel to the San Rafael River? If so, there is a bunch of good exploring possibilities around there.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=12&X=660&Y=5406&W=3

There's an old bridge (built in the 1940s?) that spans the San Rafael River. They built a new bridge parallel to it, but the old one still stands. Great for photos. There's also a pay campground there.

[R]

Are you talking about those dirt roads that run parallel to the San Rafael River? If so, there is a bunch of good exploring possibilities around there.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=12&X=660&Y=5406&W=3

There's an old bridge (built in the 1940s?) that spans the San Rafael River. They built a new bridge parallel to it, but the old one still stands. Great for photos. There's also a pay campground there.

These are the trails I am seeing on the map. There appears to be easy access for passenger cars. What do you think? -Richard

[R]

My buddy bailed on me for November - I can't seem to find Oklahomans who like Utah the way I do (except maybe my wife). So, who wants to do Ding-Dang, Wild Horse Window, Crack Canyon, Chute Canyon, etc. hikes with me? We can meet Temple Junction or where ever. I'm up for anything else non-technical too. I am planning to drive Sunday, November 5, about as far as Farmington, NM, so I could be in the Swell by midday Monday, maybe? Traveling alone, so I am flexible. Ideas?

-Richard