Trip Report Coyote Buttes North & Willis Creek [Archive]

IntrepidXJ

12-13-2013, 06:03 AM

Friday - Monday, November 8-11, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO (http://adventr.co/2013/11/coyote-buttes-north-willis-creek/)

Last November I said that I was going to be taking a little break from visiting the Paria Plateau, and I have. However, almost exactly a year later I was ready to go back for another visit and managed to get another permit for Coyote Buttes North. I was only able to get one permit this time around, so it was a good weekend for me to take a solo trip. If I had to choose a month, I think November is probably my favorite time of the year to visit this area. This is the third year in a row that I have visited Coyote Buttes North in November and it seems like I usually have good conditions this time of the year. Even though this was the first year that I had clear blue skies all day with no dynamic weather, I still managed to come back home with many new images. Feel free to check out my previous November trip reports from 2011 (http://adventr.co/2011/11/the-wave-weekend/) and 2012 (http://adventr.co/2012/11/the-paria-plateau/).

I left work on Friday afternoon to begin my three day weekend and started my drive through Utah. I stopped for a delicious burger at Milt's in Moab for dinner, fueled up my Jeep, then drove a little further south to find a campsite on Hart's Point in the dark. After quickly setting up camp, I spent a little time photographing the night sky before getting to bed.

My simple campsite under the Big Dipper.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/10829646453_a92d7ebbfa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10829646453/)
Harts Point Camp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10829646453/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/11231272963_74f6ce73a0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231272963/)
Under the Stars (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231272963/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

On Saturday morning I had a quick breakfast and then set out to find and photograph some new ruins and rock art before continuing my drive south to Arizona.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/11231276456_2d7a019d03_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231276456/)
Shield (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231276456/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/10930106104_d7a0723c8c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10930106104/)
Man in a Circle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10930106104/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

This is a very nice panel of petroglyphs. It was in the shade when when I first arrived, but I took this photo just as the sun came up over the cliffs and lit it up.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/10930134586_8233385fb9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10930134586/)
Flautist (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10930134586/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Here's a different view of the same panel so you can get a sense of where it's located.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/11311349323_2061b2ba90_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11311349323/)
Slot Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11311349323/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/10812973044_cc7e918416_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10812973044/)
Powerful Shaman (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10812973044/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/10847788784_230f6941fd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10847788784/)
Open Arms (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10847788784/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I've been looking for this site for a while and was glad to finally visit it on this trip. The petroglyphs below this small granary are pretty amazing.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/11284249914_c5ee9e95c6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11284249914/)
Crosscreek Ruin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11284249914/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/11311346295_684584426e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11311346295/)
Crosscreek Petroglyphs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11311346295/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

There were even a couple of pictographs nearby, too.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/11042082764_c00ea0dc8b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042082764/)
Lichen & Pictographs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042082764/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/11311592593_bfdbf2f5d0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11311592593/)
Kangaroo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11311592593/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/11315619134_ed61821a83_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11315619134/)
Corner Petroglyphs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11315619134/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/11315958793_7fde9ce6e6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11315958793/)
Alone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11315958793/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After driving through Blanding, Bluff and Kayenta, I eventually reached Page a few hours later. I needed to get out of the Jeep and stretch my legs after the drive, so I hiked the short Hanging Gardens Trail in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It's a short interpretive trail that leads to a lush riparian oasis under the shoulder of a row of buttes overlooking Lake Powell.

The well-defined trail to the Hanging Garden.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/11316004694_54eb40e7ef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316004694/)
Slickrock Trail (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316004694/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The hanging garden growing the the back of this shallow alcove.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/11316100323_a7882be5e0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316100323/)
Hanging Garden (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316100323/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

There were a few yellow leaves still hanging on around here.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/11316145783_420e228db1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316145783/)
Single (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316145783/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

While I was in town I also stopped at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook since I'd never been there before.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/11042181474_5b721593d0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042181474/)
Glen Canyon Dam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042181474/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Looking down at the Colorado River from the overlook.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/11316127625_b60ff9272e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316127625/)
Emerald River (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316127625/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After a quick dinner in Page I continued my journey to the Stateline Campground where I setup my camp for the next two nights and then got to bed early. I woke up well before sunrise on Sunday, drove over to the Wire Pass trailhead and started my hike in the dark.

Just as I was hiking over the pass the pre-dawn glow lit up the sandstone all around me. It was a beautiful sight.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/10830223454_7a439b61dc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830223454/)
Pre-Dawn Glow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830223454/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/11323577586_db85e3f848_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11323577586/)
Dawn Hike (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11323577586/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/11243590603_fa33cd38cc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243590603/)
Pass (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243590603/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Then the first light of the day struck the top of the Coyote Buttes in the distance.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/11053320434_4b5897a6bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11053320434/)
Sandstone Light (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11053320434/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/10837082626_fc850f5b84_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10837082626/)
Light on the Butte (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10837082626/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Is there anything nicer than warm sunlight on colorful sandstone first thing in the morning?

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/10813184433_d7dcbb15bd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10813184433/)
Coyote Buttes Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10813184433/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/11053367736_30146d8fa3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11053367736/)
Morning Sandstone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11053367736/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/11231337824_84e9320ff6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231337824/)
Sunrise Shadow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231337824/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Soon I made it to the entrance of The Wave.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/11243592056_73d9ddc12f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243592056/)
Countercurrent (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243592056/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/11042319285_15a7c6da78_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042319285/)
Wave Detail (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042319285/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The early morning light bouncing off of the Coyote Buttes really added some amazing color to this section below the Black Crack of Top Rock.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/11231556683_12e8e112c7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231556683/)
Below the Crack (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231556683/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/11231658963_8ba8fd8832_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231658963/)
Track (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11231658963/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Interesting geology in black and white.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/11327079596_9762cdff91_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327079596/)
To the Spot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327079596/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I climbed up to a higher vantage point to take in the views on this beautiful morning.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/11327228473_b1bf7c07db_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327228473/)
On Top (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327228473/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

There was even a little standing water to be found above The Wave.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/11327023136_63d6b7fc09_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327023136/)
Top Rock Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327023136/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Sunburst through Top Rock Arch.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/10830211605_28d6fd34d2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830211605/)
Top Rock Arch Sunburst (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830211605/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I spent a little time photographing The Passage.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/10837216056_3d45b0d212_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10837216056/)
Anomaly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10837216056/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/10830496854_290b800653_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830496854/)
Twist (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830496854/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/11243962173_0f9dfee1a6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243962173/)
Passage Glow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243962173/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

An obligatory Wave photo, but I didn't stick around here very long.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/11327303113_019bde5d65_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327303113/)
Just Another Wave Photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11327303113/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

When other hikers started to show up at The Wave it was time for me to go. I made my way up to the top of Top Rock where I could find a little more solitude.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/10830803193_843cf3dae7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830803193/)
Falling to Pieces (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10830803193/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I made sure to visit the Sand Dune Alcove.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/10841101913_d48a29b959_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10841101913/)
Sand & Stone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10841101913/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The reflected light in The Alcove was nice as usual.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/11243675684_dfbfacb0da_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243675684/)
Rockfall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243675684/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/11042438465_15df359313_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042438465/)
Alcove Lines (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11042438465/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/10848157184_6da1618810_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10848157184/)
Fin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10848157184/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Here's the previous image in black and white. Which do you like better?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/11331029474_2755c9f557_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11331029474/)
Fin B&W (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11331029474/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I already have plenty of color photos from this location, so I tried this one in black and white.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/11330783713_ab873c4aeb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11330783713/)
Alcove B&W (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11330783713/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After relaxing in The Alcove for a while I climbed up above for an expansive view of the area.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/11331081956_e3dbcb77e9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11331081956/)
View from the Top (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11331081956/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I had never visited Top Rock Arch before, so I made sure to stop by.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/11330851216_cf8e8a5240_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11330851216/)
Top Rock Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11330851216/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I caught this sunburst through Top Rock Window, too.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/11330812884_c60418f531_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11330812884/)
Top Rock Window (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11330812884/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

When I was done exploring Top Rock I descended down near the Second Wave and then to the Sand Cove area.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/11318433746_95e9dfb216_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318433746/)
Racetrack (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318433746/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

For some reason I had never made it to The Boneyard on my previous trips to Coyote Buttes North, so I made sure to stop by this time...even if the light wasn't great at this time of the day. The rocks around here are very unique.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/10823389813_39460163cd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10823389813/)
Boneyard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10823389813/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Interesting striations can be found just about anywhere around here.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/11318250215_f46de7d537_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318250215/)
Corner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318250215/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/11243788064_6a48e99c22_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243788064/)
Growing in the Crack (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11243788064/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Just a small hoodoo that I hiked by.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/11318008595_55ce317181_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318008595/)
Hoodoo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318008595/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/11318286043_157d6fbc39_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318286043/)
Shadow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318286043/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/11318186034_ba3bd1d0f3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318186034/)
Sand Wash (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11318186034/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Another pool of water...another reflection.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/11317954664_9b46984ebd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317954664/)
Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317954664/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I caught the sun through Top Rock Arch in the morning and then managed to catch the moon through it in the afternoon.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/10823244643_a893ba350b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10823244643/)
Moon Through Top Rock Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10823244643/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/11317938685_2dbebb2c27_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317938685/)
Moon Over Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317938685/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Last light on the Second Wave.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/10813233244_ded4f50797_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10813233244/)
Second Wave (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10813233244/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The last of the days light on the sandstone above me as I hiked back to my Jeep at the trailhead. I started my day in the dark and would be ending it the same way.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/11317788555_b5fdd848ab_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317788555/)
End of Light (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317788555/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I returned back to my site at the Stateline Campground well after dark. I had some dinner, read a book and turned in early since I was pretty tired from getting up early and hiking about 14 miles today.

IntrepidXJ

12-13-2013, 06:03 AM

Monday morning arrived and it was time for me to start my journey back home. I slept in just a little bit later than the previous day and then had to decided where to go? I had thought about hiking up to Yellow Rock this morning, but with the clear skies above I thought a slot canyon might be a better place to take some photos today. Bull Valley Gorge and Willis Creek were my planned destinations when I left Arizona behind. Since I was heading that direction anyway, I figured it might be nice to stop for breakfast at Nedra's Too in Kanab. The food was great as always and I soon found myself heading north through Johnson Canyon to Skutumpah Road. I parked next to Bull Valley Gorge and started my hike along the rim of the canyon to an access point into the canyon. Unfortunately, what I ended up finding was a very slick down-climb into the gorge that I was not prepared to try by myself. I'm sure I could have made it down OK, but I'm not so sure I would have been able to get back out by myself. Better safe than sorry. Another time.

I hiked back to my Jeep and made my way a little further up the road to the Willis Creek trailhead. I grabbed my camera, backpack and tripod and started hiking down the canyon. It was a beautiful hike and I had a lot of fun photographing the amazing colors created by the reflected light in the sections of narrow canyon. I hiked all the way down to Sheep Creek and then returned to my vehicle. I seemed to have better light on my way down the canyon the first time than on the return hike. I didn't run into anyone else until I was almost back to the trailhead. I'm glad I had got an earlier start to the hike since I had the canyon to myself and there were a lot of people starting the hike when I returned.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/11317834223_28440ef2ce_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317834223/)
Shallow Canyon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317834223/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/11316263936_496609b70c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316263936/)
Striped Wall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316263936/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/11215552496_a75d0a9ec2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11215552496/)
Willis Creek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11215552496/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The light bouncing off the canyon wall here was just stunning.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/10829455025_c6b128804b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10829455025/)
Golden Wall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10829455025/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/10837326136_94c400d7b1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10837326136/)
Willis Creek Bend (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10837326136/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/10847696984_100b8f482b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10847696984/)
Around the Corner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10847696984/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/11317671173_f540e95fd5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317671173/)
Creek Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317671173/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/11317549564_5f7f6e9c1d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317549564/)
Willis Narrows (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317549564/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

From Willis Creek I made my way further east and north on scenic Highway 12. I turned off onto the Burr Trail when I reached Boulder and made my way to Capitol Reef National Park. I was hoping to find a new petroglyph panel along the way.

Peek-a-boo Arch came into view as I reached the Waterpocket Fold and Upper Muley Twist Canyon.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/11317450636_c051c33063_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317450636/)
Peek-a-boo Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317450636/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I managed to find the petroglyphs I was looking for.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/11317453013_b632e73590_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317453013/)
Designs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317453013/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Sure looks like a moose to me?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/10823239196_f6c5a6e1ec_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10823239196/)
Moose Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/10823239196/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/11316671643_2a07be0385_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316671643/)
Hands (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316671643/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/11317336174_be33155e7d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317336174/)
Couple (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11317336174/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

View towards the Henry Mountains as I descended the switchbacks of the Burr Trail.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/11316414525_b710bb892d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316414525/)
Burr View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316414525/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

My Jeep parked in one of the switchbacks.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/11316339466_aba4113380_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316339466/)
Burr Switchback (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316339466/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

One last photo towards the Henry Mountains taken near Notom.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/11316343165_3a5cfc2acb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316343165/)
Notom View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/11316343165/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

When I reached the bottom of the switchbacks I took the Notom Road back to Highway 12 and then finished my drive home on pavement. It was an incredible long weekend that I won't soon forget!

>> Coyote Buttes North & Willis Creek Photo Gallery (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjMjMptE)