I thought I'd share some pictures from a little hike I did over the weekend. This hike is in the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness area, just below and west of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Any water that falls at cedar breaks flows out this stream.
Of all the many places to hike and explore throughout Southern Utah, this is by far my favorite. There is a peace and solitude here that you don't find at the more popular areas. In fact, this weekends hike was the first time I'd ever seen anyone else in this area. The colors of the canyon aren't the red's you commonly find, but more yellow and white sandstone.
The other unique art of this canyon are the massive overhangs you find. Most canyon's in this area have massive vertical walls. The water here has carved the canyon out at an angle, and you have many area where the canyon walls extend out over the creek. Many of the overhangs are so large, that sunlight doesn't hit many places in there. It's really hard to capture the massiveness of the walls and overhangs in pictures, so I did the best I could. Here's a pretty good representation of it.
"Trail to Flanigan Arch" (straight up the mountain, through the trees, all the way to the top, seriously)
single track
"Flanigan Arch" (a good friend of mine likes to set up ropes a rappel off this arch. They'll set up a single rope, and send two people over the opposite sides. He may talk me into participating this year)
A little waterfall (less than 5 feet high)
A big overhang (From where I am standing to take the picture, the cliff wall is about 250 feet high, and I'm inside the leading edge about 80 feet or so, if that makes sense)
A more easily recognized example of "overhang" (sometimes called alcoves, notice how the wall isn't a straight up and down?)
"Tom's Thumb" (I've seen it called tom's head on some maps, but they're wrong)
A spot where the sun don't shine
Greenery
more to come in the next post
Trail and Ultra Running User Group
Part 2
the walls are closing in
"Rattlesnake Falls" (the reward at the end. It is possible to detour around these falls, and rappel over them)
Was it this tight when we came through the first time? (These narrows get to about 6 feet at the tightest spot)
smaller overhang
two cool walls (I love the small pockets and arches all over these spots)
one last shot
Again, it's really hard to capture to beauty of this spot.
To make this somewhat running related:
At some point this summer, I'll be running from my house, through Cedar Breaks, and up to the shack on Brian Head Peak. It will be about 21 miles, and gain about 10,000 feet. I'll be cutting right through this canyon.
If anyone is ever in this region, and would like more info on how to find this place, feel free to ask. I'm willing to share my little section of paradise. (just don't spread it around to much, the solitude's the best part )
MTA: course and elevation corrections
Amazing views - thanks for sharing!
3/8 Way Too Cool 50k WNS
4/19 Tehama Wildflowers 50k
Will run for scenery.
Wow, that is some fascinating scenery/terrain. I think your photos do a great job of capturing the appeal. I will definitely put that area "on my list".
Stupid feet!
Stupid elbow!
Uh oh... now what?
That is grandly beautiful. I'll trade you a week in my greens for a
week in your reds, yellows, and so on and so on. It 2009 when
last we were in that vicinity, 2000 even when we stopped up on
top of the Breaks--had no idea of beauty of your back yard.
Thank you.
rgot
Snowdenrun
Wow these are great! I love all the red! I haven't spent much time Utah, I think I might have to!
Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing!
Le professeur de trail
hard to capture the beauty? Must be amazing! Thanks.
My favorite day of the week is RUNday
Birdwell--Your secret spot looks awesome. The worst part for me is that I was so close by a couple weeks ago and had no idea. Swung over to Bryce as my daughter had never been there before but had I known..... Next time I head your way we will have to talk. Thanks for sharing.
Endless trails
Thanks for posting, I'm so jealous of you runners west of the Mississippi.
Tim
Thanks for the Trail Porn. I've never been to Utah, but definitely on my list.
“Paralysis-to-50k” training plan is underway!
Thanks so much for sharing ... Utah is another place that's on our list of places to explore ... despite all our travels that list seems to just keep getting longer.
Beautiful - thanks for sharing. Now I have to go to Alaska AND Utah...
Eat to run, Run to eat
Added to my growing collection of desktop wallpaper.thanks!
Stone Mill 50m 11/16/13 12:42
Febapple Frozen 50k 2/22/14 9:20:55
DIrty German 50m 5/18/14 12:06:16
running under the BigSky
very (very) nice!
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