Rob L
01-13-2009, 08:08 AM
Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyons
The road from highway 24 north of Hanksville was fairly snow-covered, but it was not icy. However, I was glad that I rented a little 4wd SUV when it came to the off-road sections.
LWH & Bell Canyons are quite popular normally, but I guess the snow put most off. I was the only person/vehicle to be seen all day.
It's a simple half-day loop hike; up one & down t'other. Someone at the trailhead had written a few days before that ice blocked the start of LWH, but phooey! it was only about five feet to slide across.
Below: quite a pleasant jaunt up LWH, with few obstacles
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8462reduced.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8461reduced.jpg
Heading out of the top of LWH, the snow was quite virginal showing only animal tracks, so compass, map & USGS sectional came in handy to make sure I took the right turn...
Below: ...but to be fair, it was pretty obvious.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8473reduced.jpg
Coming down Bell Canyon is not as scenically nice as LWH, but hey-ho.
Below: One spot required removal of my day-pack to squeeze through.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8478reduced.jpg
The road from highway 24 north of Hanksville was fairly snow-covered, but it was not icy. However, I was glad that I rented a little 4wd SUV when it came to the off-road sections.
LWH & Bell Canyons are quite popular normally, but I guess the snow put most off. I was the only person/vehicle to be seen all day.
It's a simple half-day loop hike; up one & down t'other. Someone at the trailhead had written a few days before that ice blocked the start of LWH, but phooey! it was only about five feet to slide across.
Below: quite a pleasant jaunt up LWH, with few obstacles
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8462reduced.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8461reduced.jpg
Heading out of the top of LWH, the snow was quite virginal showing only animal tracks, so compass, map & USGS sectional came in handy to make sure I took the right turn...
Below: ...but to be fair, it was pretty obvious.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8473reduced.jpg
Coming down Bell Canyon is not as scenically nice as LWH, but hey-ho.
Below: One spot required removal of my day-pack to squeeze through.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/usa2008/Dscf8478reduced.jpg