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This is the hike I did today. It's called Cobra Arch and unlike most arches, the name really fits this one! The arch is about 60' long and with a little climbing you can walk on it. The whole trip was only a 6 mile round trip so we headed over to Cottonwood Narrows in the GSENM next for a little more exercise.
Niiiiiice!
Though I didn't come anywhere near Utah, my friend Michael and I met up at an old haunt, the Wichita Mountains of southwest Oklahoma, for some hiking today. We saw a few spots we'd never seen before, including some narrows and some waterfalls. Galleries will follow, though not before galleries from my last two Utah trips.
-Richard
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Originally Posted by Richard Barron
Thanks! You have great work on your site. Very original!
Very nice, Tanya. We're heading out that way on Friday. Staying at Wahweap Fri & Sat nite. Thinking of doing some of Buckskin on Friday.
Win
I wanted to do Buckskin but I heard its full of really deep cold pools right now! You might want to check into it. We are going to do it in the spring now instead. We should have Cobra Arch wrote up soon. Don't hike down in the sand like most trail guides (the very few that have this) have wrote up. Don't head down the Middle Buckskin Trail at all or go under the fence. Head left of the trail box and just walk the rim. :2thumbs: Get off the rim near all the rock, just around the corner from the arch. We should have a map and GPS info up before you go. I have no idea how the BLM sends hikers into this one. We were by 3 GSENM VC yesterday, but all were closed when we were near them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Win
Have you seen the Wahweap Hoodoos yet? Since you are headed in that direction....
http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...weap-n_jpg.jpg
Yeah.. we have some of 'those' kinds of rocks out here too. :lol8:
Nice.... I need to get back down your way and do some more exploring around Paria.
:2thumbs:
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Originally Posted by Iceaxe
You do :naughty:
Thanks for the advise! I really tore my heels up hiking in sand yesterday and don't need anymore of that.
That's a great picture of the hoodoos, I do want to go out there but I'll check with BLM to see if the roads OK. That's where you go in off Cottowood Rd, right?
Win
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Originally Posted by Win
What hike did you do? Have you thought of a name for your arch yet? I have not got out to find it yet.
There is a road too the hoodoos but the BLM really does not like people to use it. The hike is gorgeous, so why drive?! The only road you need to drive is in Big Water. Crossing the creek gets you a bit closer but there is no need to do it if the water is high or you are in a 2wd.
http://www.zionnational-park.com/wahweap-hoodoos.htm
We decided to go over to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and hike to the Elephant Arch from the Mill Creek entrance. You go in here from Main St in Washington and there is a gate to enter the reserve, to which I have the combination for the lock. Well. first problem the locks are now keyed and the only way around was too rough for my Pilot.
This now meant about a 1 mile walk to the trailhead. From there it's about 1/2 mile to the Bone Wash which you hike up to the end. Ankle deep sand and I was wearing my La Sportiv ERs, which suck in sand!
From the end of the wash we climbed a failrly steep sand hill only to find we need to go down and then up another. My wife said "Enough!"
I concurred and we hiked out without reaching the arch.
We'll go back in Winter and take the Jeep to the trailhead and then take a road along a powerline which drops you into the wash cutting off about 1/2 mile of freakin' sand! Pretty neat back there with lots to explore. Found a pretty narrow slot and a few washes to hike up.
Win
Here's an image of my friend Michael ( http://zig81.com/ ) from yesterday in the Wichitas. It's not Utah, I know, but I can drive there in two hours instead of 16. We had a lot of fun.
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Originally Posted by Win
Did you take any photos of the slot?
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Originally Posted by Richard Barron
You live a long ways away! Bummer! Having fun is the most important part of the trip. :2thumbs:
Has anyone ever explored "Steamboat Rock" .... out there near The Wave. From a distance it looks interesting.
Didn't try the slot, it was very narrow and I was still chasing the arch.
I lugged my heavy DSLR and only took a few pictures.
Win
Bone Wash:
http://www.fototime.com/9C277277FA75416/standard.jpg
Interesting formation:
http://www.fototime.com/CF565931323646E/standard.jpg
I was just looking at your photos. I LOVE the Checkerboard Mesa shot covered in snow! Awesome shot!
I see that the east side of the park is your favorite too. :2thumbs:
Very nice pictures of Cobra. I was looking at that arch just a day or two ago and thinking it would make a nice day-hike. Thanks for field-testing the hike.
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Originally Posted by Brewhaha
I just finished the photo album for it. The trail report will be done soon.
http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index29.htm
It's amazing how much this stuff looks like southwest wyoming! No wonder I like to hike here...looks like your neck of the woods.
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Originally Posted by greyhair biker
There is cool arches, beautiful sandstone and great hiking out there? Then why do you keep comming here. :haha:
LOTS more of it there...a few arches here, lots of sandstone but LOTS more desert....sagebrush, cacti, snakes, no trees for miles and miles
The Cobra Arch Trail Report and Photo Album is done
http://www.zionnational-park.com/paria-cobra-arch.htm
http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index29.htm
http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...rch-op_jpg.jpg