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| Backpack | 22.12 Miles |
3,140 AEG |
| | Backpack | 22.12 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 3,140 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Grand Gulch 2009
Believe it or not I've never been to Grand Gulch Primitive Area before. In Spring of 2008 I did get a chance to explore Comb Ridge [ photoset ] , Cedar Mesa [ photoset ] , and Valley of the Gods [ photoset ] . That trip only served to whet my appetite as I jumped at the chance to finally visit the Anasazi Mecca when PageRob organized a HAZ group hike [ Grand Gulch - Finished! ] .
FRIDAY 3/27
The 4-day weekend began early since work prevented getting my backpacking gear assembled any earlier. A run to the grocery store and hardware store were required to complete my pack list. With my F-150 finally packed, I said good-bye to Lynn and the dogs and headed out the door.
Picked up Mike Mattes (aka mattem1) at our pre-arranged 12 noon time at Medtronic and headed off to Glendale to pick up Anne Smith (aka oliverr99) near MWU. Once on the I-17 we made good time and arrived in Flagstaff by 3pm. We met up with my daughter Hannah and her friend Dominic at the Beaver Street Brewery to have a late lunch. Had an opportunity to discuss both their poster presentations at the upcoming Biozona 2009 event.
We were back on the road just as UA was about to make their televised Sweet 16 appearance. The miles ticked by through Navajo Lands and before you knew it we were at our evening's destination - The Hat Rock Inn in Mexican Hat UT.
SATURDAY 3/28
Breakfast at the San Juan Motel - thanks for opening early for us! Get on Hwy 261 and up the Moki Dugway and onto Cedar Mesa to the Kane Gulch Ranger Station (KGRS) to meet up with Rob (aka PageRob), Brian (Vaporman), and Chris (rushthezeppelin). As "group leader", Rob was assigned our overnight permits by the Ranger and we were ushered into a side room to watch the obligatory backcountry etiquette video. NOTE: Only 22 overnight permits are issued daily to enter Grand Gulch via Bullet Canyon. FURTHER NOTE: The KGRS indicated that there's been a rash of vehicle break-ins the last few weeks and you should carry all valuables with you. The Ranger also indicated that most vehicles had their battery cables disconnected, probably to kill any alarm systems, so if your vehicle doesn't start after a break-in --- check your battery.
We left Brian's car at the KGRS and shuttled my F-150 to the Government Trail Head. Squeezed 6 backpacks and 6 trekkers into Rob's Explorer and soon arrived at the Bullet Canyon Trail Head. After travelling 415 miles in my truck, we were finally on the trail!
After a short mesa top stretch, we began an easy descent into Bullet Canyon. Bullet Canyon is spectacular! Slick rock areas, undercut alcoves, box-up walls, and of course - the chutes! As we approached the 3rd chute, Rob guided us up the "right-side" trail to avoid the boulder fall.
As lunch time approached we spotted Perfect Kiva alcove. It was perfect timing to drop our packs and fix up some lunch grub. Desert was strictly visual as we explored Perfect Kiva.
Jail House Ruins was next on the list. Potsherds were everywhere at this site.
Across some sandy benches and we arrived at the Bullet - Grand Gulch junction with plenty of day light to set up camp in a cottonwood forest near a water-filled gully. Even had enough light to explore Wall Ruins located upstream about half a mile in Grand Gulch.
Back at camp again and it was time to cook dinner. I opted for my bag of Mountain House Jerk Chicken. I won't put that selection on my "highly recommended list" as evidenced by my leftovers for Sunday breakfast...
That evening as we sat upon a ring of logs swapping stories, I don't know if it was just me, but the lack of a campfire (none are allowed in the Cedar Mesa canyons) just seemed to make things "incomplete"...
SUNDAY 3/29
Morning arrived as the evening was uneventful (dare I say "peaceful"???). After breakfast we scaled the slick rock up to the Junction Ruins overlooking our campsite.
Back on the trail and we began the "sand slog" through Grand Gulch. To be honest, this part didn't match my mental image of Grand Gulch. Multiple undulations criss-crossing the gulch and sandy benches! Through continuous tangle woods that seemed to want to rip your pack off your back...
We spotted a set of ruins on a sandstone fin just before the Totem Pole. Some windfall cottonwoods made a comfortable seat as we grabbed some lunch. My "old-school" external metal frame pack was beginning to "challenge" my shoulders. Felt good to set that weight down on the ground!
As late afternoon approached we found ourselves at Dripping Springs Canyon. We inspected some camp sites as the winds began to pick-up (foreshadowing maybe?). The spring was marked on our maps about ¾ miles upstream in Dripping Springs Canyon. We dropped our packs at our designated campsite below some rock art panels and headed up canyon to get water. After passing multiple dry pools we arrived at a continuous chain of clear, flowing pools of water!
With our water issues now solved, we set-up camp and began cooking dinner. I'll give my Mountain House Beef Stroganoff dinner two thumbs up as it completely disappeared way too soon...
With the sun setting, temperatures were plummeting downward fast and the wind speed only seemed to be multiplying. Hanging out to talk was just too uncomfortable as we all elected to call it a night...
MONDAY 3/30
Monday Morning Surprise --- snow and fricken cold! See Rob's trip report for the complete low down. After some character building minutes, the sun finally reached the canyon bottom chasing away the cold. Hot chocolate with some of Rob's rum also helped the cause...
On the trail again I could see a POI on my GPS labeled "Big Ruin". We spotted a side trail heading up a sandy bench maybe 50 feet above the stream bed. Mike and Anne decided to sit this one out, but the rest of us clamored up the steep sandy trail and onto the bench. We weren't alone on the bench - a Scout Troop from Denver was scattered all amongst the ruins...
After thoroughly exploring Long House Ruins (aka Big Ruin), Grand Gulch beckoned with a series of arches and hoodoos lining the canyon walls.
Big Man Panel followed by Polly's Island ruins completed our eye-candy trek through Grand Gulch. Cairns marked the entrance to Government Trail. Up the switchbacks to the top of the mesa.
Atop the mesa we were rocked by some high winds, but we didn't care. They were at our back and only seemed to push us faster towards my truck (and the well stocked cooler).
Back at the truck we all enjoyed a beverage and choice snacks before shuttling back to Bullet Canyon to collect Rob's Explorer. Back to KGRS to get Brian's Sebring where the Ranger asked how we made out Sunday evening because their thermometer recorded a low of 5 degF - yikes!
Dinner at Goulding's for Navajo Tacos [ photo ] where we all made plans to do this again - real soon! |
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