PICTURES: 1-3 Wolverine Creek slot canyon; 4. Long Canyon on Burr trail
This was another great adventure day!. Yesterday was very windy and cold so Gary's tire run was our only outside activity. The old tire was ruined, but a new one has us on the road again.
Today we drove around 200 miles, round trip, down hwy 12 to Boulder Town and then onto the Burr Trail that traverses part of Grand Staircase and Capitol Reef. It is partially paved (much appreciated) and then gravel; it crosses the Waterpocket Fold with a series of steep switchbacks. We had a great drive and the views were outstanding. The trail follows Long Canyon, a narrow red cliff beauty, for several miles. We were told about an unmarked side canyon (N 37º 51.89', W 111º 18.037') that we found and it was great.
We turned on a side trail, Wolverine Canyon, and found our first real slot canyon. We had rough directions and managed to find a place where we could slither down into it. Really cool and creepy. Glad we have long legs and not any fatter than we are. We twisted along the canyon for over 1/4 mile before it was blocked. Finding these canyons (N 37º 48.18', W 111º 11.96') would be a great activity for little and big boys.
After driving 'unknown' tracks in the desert, we made it to Muley Twist Canyon. It's a rough, rocky 3 mile drive up a side canyon in the middle of the Fold. There are 3 very nice arches on the canyon walls along the 'road'. At the end, a hiking trail leads to Striker Valley overlook. I probably would have stayed in the jeep if I had known that we had to climb to the top of the cliffs, but it was worth all the slickrock. The view is magnificent. You are on top of the Waterpocket Fold and can see in both directions for 20 miles or so --unbelievable.
We then progressed along Burr Trail to the switchbacks down the Fold into the valley. They were built (somehow) by a pioneer rancher to get his cattle to market. Man these people were determined.
More pictures of this trip are posted on May 26.
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