LOAH
08-24-2015, 06:23 PM
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/RSCN9935%20600x450_zpsaibboysk.jpg~original
They say time flies when you're having fun and there's a lot of truth to that. Suddenly, the kids are back in school and the daylight is fading more quickly every night. The second month of summer has blown right by and I'm left wondering where the time went.
Luckily I take a lot of photos to help me remember what I've been up to.
My family and I have continued to go on quick evening hikes, getting into more of our local canyons. One that I was really excited to share with them was Slate Canyon, a place where I spent quite a bit of time in my late teens and early 20's.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate1_zpsv6l5y5oh.jpg~original
It was a bit sad to see the condition of the old campsite that my friends and I had always used. There were three large thrones made from big slabs of stone, circling a great fire pit. The "Rock Chairs", we called them. What used to be a great spot to spend the night had evolved to a pile of rubble with trash strewn about carelessly.
Regardless of the current eyesore, the dominating beauty of the rest of the canyon overshadows any blemishes.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate3_zpsllmt1qtc.jpg~original
We also found a couple of huge slugs that were the size of my finger.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate2_zpssmjlapnx.jpg~original
Slugs may be known for being gross and slimy, but I found them to be quite beautiful. Beautifully gross and slimy.
Slate Canyon is a great place to work the legs and emerging from the canyon walls offers a splendid view of Utah Valley.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate4_zpstc2tjlar.jpg~original
Another local hike we attempted was a canyon at the northeast corner of Springville. I believe it's called "The Sisters", but I'm not 100% sure about that.
I'd actually never hiked it in the past, but had spent most of my life looking at it, thinking I should.
Having never ventured into this canyon, the best route to get there wasn't very clear and we ended up on a bumpy road to get close to it. Parking in an old retention basin, we used the rest of the daylight to get as far as we could.
The jagged spires of rock poking out of the hillside on the way in were really cool looking.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/sisters1_zpsic0kimpz.jpg~original
Since we'd spent so much time creeping up the gnarly road in my Sentra, we forteited much of our hiking time and only ended up a short distance past the mouth, but we'll be sure to be back to take on what looks to be a steep hike into a toothy canyon. Can't wait.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/sisters2_zpspvsxfr6n.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/sisters3_zpsr1igbruw.jpg~original
August 1 & 2: Red Fleet
This year has provided a bit more camping opportunities for me than usual and to make sure my family didn't feel left out, we all piled into the car and traveled east to Red Fleet State Park. Holdsworth accepted our invitation to join, but had to drive separately, due to space constraints. That just meant more cedar trimmings could be brought along for our campfire.
Red Fleet is a place that has captured our hearts as a fun family getaway. Sonia and the kids can hike and swim with an incredibly scenic backdrop while I hunt for fish from my tube. It's a win-win.
Unfortunately, the illegal introduction of walleye and smallmouth bass has prompted the state to poison the lake this year, as some endangered species are present downstream. With that being the case, we needed to get out there one last time. We won't likely be back for a couple of years after the treatment.
Having Holdsworth along was an added bonus this year. He and I got right to work, once camp was setup.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf1_zpszycs8guq.jpg~original
Even though I've seen it all before, the beauty of Red Fleet keeps me in awe.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf2_zps43rnbrke.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf3_zpsdgol6qmd.jpg~original
We made sure to kick quite the distance, up into the winding canyon a bit. The near-vertical canyon walls made us feel like ants next to elephants.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf4_zpskqpcx59c.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf5_zps9gw9bk97.jpg~original
The fishing wasn't spectacular, but we each caught fish perdiodically. We were a bit distracted by the scenery, just enjoying a pleasant float in a beautiful canyon.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf6_zps3pbvjyxk.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf7_zpsvxyvj1yc.jpg~original
We got back to camp as the light was fading, just in time to conjure up a roaring fire. I sure love the smell of cedar and the taste of sausages roasted over it.
With day one behind us, we awoke to the sunlight giving us a morning spectacle on the surrounding sandstone.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf8_zpse3le0udw.jpg~original
Sonia and the kids went and enjoyed the swim beach while Aaron and I went for round 2 with the fish. Some were caught, some were missed. Nothing very noteworthy, but again, what a great place for a float!
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf9_zpsklcfdgg7.jpg~original
After taking too long on the water, we got back and loaded everything up to leave. Before we could call it a day, we had unfinished business on the other side of the lake though.
Last year, we tried to find the dinosaur tracks and got turned around, due to the many trails that connect to the main one, plus there wasn't a lot of signage to keep us "on track". The hike was great anyway and we saw some beautiful landscapes before deciding it was too late (and hot) to keep poking around. The tracks are right next to the water, so no matter what draw we chose to follow, they could have been found.
I vowed to my boy that this time we'd get there. Luckily, I had spent more time studying the route this time, plus I noticed better signs and other landmarks to follow.
Here we are, getting ready and going over the route once more. (Sonia's camera)
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf10_zpsplsogi42.jpg~original
The hike was pleasant and lead us right between two of the "ships" in the Red Fleet, plus the rest of the eye candy was incredible.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf11_zpsw3dqchbi.jpg~original
Aaron and I scrambled up to that little cave for a bit, which was neat. It wasn't very level inside, but worth a quick climb to look around.
Back to the main attraction, it wasn't long before we were at the trackway, observing the various impressions left eons ago.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf12_zpsgpclmtfn.jpg~original
It was nice to see the other side of the cave that I'd spent plenty of time under.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf13_zpsxmimrike.jpg~original
Most of the tracks were difficult to see and even more difficult to get a decent photo of, but we did find the most famous one, which is deep and well defined.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf14_zpspa6jw2qz.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf15_zps8ebitypj.jpg~original
We all had a wonderful time at Red Fleet, but we had a bit of a scare, when Aaron couldn't find his keys. We'd almost made it back to the cars and some thick storm clouds had rolled in. Finding those keys was the top priority. I handed Sonia my keys and promised to hurry.
Aaron and I retraced our steps and somehow missed the cave we'd visited earlier on the way back to the trackway. We both felt as though the keys would be there, since we spent a little bit of time in and around it. Either that or at the tracks, where we were also seated for a time.
Some other hikers appeared on the trail and we asked them if they'd seen anything, which they hadn't, but promised to keep their eyes open.
Lo and behold, we made it all the way back to the tracks and didn't find a thing. The weather was starting to sour, much like the taste in Aaron's mouth I'm sure. The rain started falling pretty hard, just as we got to the cave on our way back (it's easier to spot from that direction). No keys were found and the grim reality of dealing with that mess started to set in.
As we approached the same spot where we'd left my family and turned back, the hikers we'd run into earlier were excited to see us, claiming that they found the keys and ran them back to the waiting family in the car! Of course, they'd found them dangling from their lanyard on a bush right next to the cave. Go figure! Had we noticed the cave while back tracking, it would have saved us a fair amount of time.
In the end, all was well and a mild heart attack was averted. We made our way back home having enjoyed another fun-filled adventure at Red Fleet.
Special thanks to those hikers for going out of their way and running those keys back. Life savers.
(Post size limit REACHED??? More below)
They say time flies when you're having fun and there's a lot of truth to that. Suddenly, the kids are back in school and the daylight is fading more quickly every night. The second month of summer has blown right by and I'm left wondering where the time went.
Luckily I take a lot of photos to help me remember what I've been up to.
My family and I have continued to go on quick evening hikes, getting into more of our local canyons. One that I was really excited to share with them was Slate Canyon, a place where I spent quite a bit of time in my late teens and early 20's.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate1_zpsv6l5y5oh.jpg~original
It was a bit sad to see the condition of the old campsite that my friends and I had always used. There were three large thrones made from big slabs of stone, circling a great fire pit. The "Rock Chairs", we called them. What used to be a great spot to spend the night had evolved to a pile of rubble with trash strewn about carelessly.
Regardless of the current eyesore, the dominating beauty of the rest of the canyon overshadows any blemishes.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate3_zpsllmt1qtc.jpg~original
We also found a couple of huge slugs that were the size of my finger.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate2_zpssmjlapnx.jpg~original
Slugs may be known for being gross and slimy, but I found them to be quite beautiful. Beautifully gross and slimy.
Slate Canyon is a great place to work the legs and emerging from the canyon walls offers a splendid view of Utah Valley.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/slate4_zpstc2tjlar.jpg~original
Another local hike we attempted was a canyon at the northeast corner of Springville. I believe it's called "The Sisters", but I'm not 100% sure about that.
I'd actually never hiked it in the past, but had spent most of my life looking at it, thinking I should.
Having never ventured into this canyon, the best route to get there wasn't very clear and we ended up on a bumpy road to get close to it. Parking in an old retention basin, we used the rest of the daylight to get as far as we could.
The jagged spires of rock poking out of the hillside on the way in were really cool looking.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/sisters1_zpsic0kimpz.jpg~original
Since we'd spent so much time creeping up the gnarly road in my Sentra, we forteited much of our hiking time and only ended up a short distance past the mouth, but we'll be sure to be back to take on what looks to be a steep hike into a toothy canyon. Can't wait.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/sisters2_zpspvsxfr6n.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/sisters3_zpsr1igbruw.jpg~original
August 1 & 2: Red Fleet
This year has provided a bit more camping opportunities for me than usual and to make sure my family didn't feel left out, we all piled into the car and traveled east to Red Fleet State Park. Holdsworth accepted our invitation to join, but had to drive separately, due to space constraints. That just meant more cedar trimmings could be brought along for our campfire.
Red Fleet is a place that has captured our hearts as a fun family getaway. Sonia and the kids can hike and swim with an incredibly scenic backdrop while I hunt for fish from my tube. It's a win-win.
Unfortunately, the illegal introduction of walleye and smallmouth bass has prompted the state to poison the lake this year, as some endangered species are present downstream. With that being the case, we needed to get out there one last time. We won't likely be back for a couple of years after the treatment.
Having Holdsworth along was an added bonus this year. He and I got right to work, once camp was setup.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf1_zpszycs8guq.jpg~original
Even though I've seen it all before, the beauty of Red Fleet keeps me in awe.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf2_zps43rnbrke.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf3_zpsdgol6qmd.jpg~original
We made sure to kick quite the distance, up into the winding canyon a bit. The near-vertical canyon walls made us feel like ants next to elephants.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf4_zpskqpcx59c.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf5_zps9gw9bk97.jpg~original
The fishing wasn't spectacular, but we each caught fish perdiodically. We were a bit distracted by the scenery, just enjoying a pleasant float in a beautiful canyon.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf6_zps3pbvjyxk.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf7_zpsvxyvj1yc.jpg~original
We got back to camp as the light was fading, just in time to conjure up a roaring fire. I sure love the smell of cedar and the taste of sausages roasted over it.
With day one behind us, we awoke to the sunlight giving us a morning spectacle on the surrounding sandstone.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf8_zpse3le0udw.jpg~original
Sonia and the kids went and enjoyed the swim beach while Aaron and I went for round 2 with the fish. Some were caught, some were missed. Nothing very noteworthy, but again, what a great place for a float!
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf9_zpsklcfdgg7.jpg~original
After taking too long on the water, we got back and loaded everything up to leave. Before we could call it a day, we had unfinished business on the other side of the lake though.
Last year, we tried to find the dinosaur tracks and got turned around, due to the many trails that connect to the main one, plus there wasn't a lot of signage to keep us "on track". The hike was great anyway and we saw some beautiful landscapes before deciding it was too late (and hot) to keep poking around. The tracks are right next to the water, so no matter what draw we chose to follow, they could have been found.
I vowed to my boy that this time we'd get there. Luckily, I had spent more time studying the route this time, plus I noticed better signs and other landmarks to follow.
Here we are, getting ready and going over the route once more. (Sonia's camera)
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf10_zpsplsogi42.jpg~original
The hike was pleasant and lead us right between two of the "ships" in the Red Fleet, plus the rest of the eye candy was incredible.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf11_zpsw3dqchbi.jpg~original
Aaron and I scrambled up to that little cave for a bit, which was neat. It wasn't very level inside, but worth a quick climb to look around.
Back to the main attraction, it wasn't long before we were at the trackway, observing the various impressions left eons ago.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf12_zpsgpclmtfn.jpg~original
It was nice to see the other side of the cave that I'd spent plenty of time under.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf13_zpsxmimrike.jpg~original
Most of the tracks were difficult to see and even more difficult to get a decent photo of, but we did find the most famous one, which is deep and well defined.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf14_zpspa6jw2qz.jpg~original
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj525/troutforbrainz/rf15_zps8ebitypj.jpg~original
We all had a wonderful time at Red Fleet, but we had a bit of a scare, when Aaron couldn't find his keys. We'd almost made it back to the cars and some thick storm clouds had rolled in. Finding those keys was the top priority. I handed Sonia my keys and promised to hurry.
Aaron and I retraced our steps and somehow missed the cave we'd visited earlier on the way back to the trackway. We both felt as though the keys would be there, since we spent a little bit of time in and around it. Either that or at the tracks, where we were also seated for a time.
Some other hikers appeared on the trail and we asked them if they'd seen anything, which they hadn't, but promised to keep their eyes open.
Lo and behold, we made it all the way back to the tracks and didn't find a thing. The weather was starting to sour, much like the taste in Aaron's mouth I'm sure. The rain started falling pretty hard, just as we got to the cave on our way back (it's easier to spot from that direction). No keys were found and the grim reality of dealing with that mess started to set in.
As we approached the same spot where we'd left my family and turned back, the hikers we'd run into earlier were excited to see us, claiming that they found the keys and ran them back to the waiting family in the car! Of course, they'd found them dangling from their lanyard on a bush right next to the cave. Go figure! Had we noticed the cave while back tracking, it would have saved us a fair amount of time.
In the end, all was well and a mild heart attack was averted. We made our way back home having enjoyed another fun-filled adventure at Red Fleet.
Special thanks to those hikers for going out of their way and running those keys back. Life savers.
(Post size limit REACHED??? More below)