Grand Gulch
We recently went on a nice outdoor outing with our good friends, Brian and Holly who are from Glenwood Springs, Colorado. We try to find points in between Tsaile and Glenwood to meet up with them and enjoy creation together. We biked at Moab and Fruita together last year. This summer we enjoyed Telluride together. Our latest outing was on Cedar Mesa, Utah. Cedar Mesa contains many amazing canyons and in those canyons the highest concentration of Anasazi ruins anywhere. We ended up completing a 23 mile backpacking trip over three days and two nights. We began at Kane Gulch, then down Grand Gulch until we met with Bullet Canyon. We then hiked up and out of Bullet. Our dogs also tagged along and did a pretty dog-on good job.
As for the actual backpacking in the gulch, it posed an amazing variety of terrain.
There were some tight, dry spots....
....And some wide, lush spots.
This is called "Split-level Ruin". The ancient ones used to party here. At least that's what we imagined.
I tried a black and white photo---just call me Ansel.
Brian and I managed to squeeze into the upper level of "Jailhouse Ruin". We also managed to escape safel
y.
The Grand Gulch area is closer to us than the Grand Canyon. It is also less crowded and less expensive. It is also more dog friendly. It is a great place to explore and relax in. We would love to go back. We would love for any of you reading this blog to join us. Just let us know!
Special thanks goes out to desert and river rat, Denny Preisser for the beta (that's a hip word for info and maps and such.)
We met and camped at Muley Point the first night. This may be the best view in the Southwest. We slept out on the rocks and woke up to see Monument Valley being bathed in morning light. Even the dogs had to watch.
As for the actual backpacking in the gulch, it posed an amazing variety of terrain.
There were some tight, dry spots....
....And some wide, lush spots.
This is called "Split-level Ruin". The ancient ones used to party here. At least that's what we imagined.
I tried a black and white photo---just call me Ansel.
Brian and I managed to squeeze into the upper level of "Jailhouse Ruin". We also managed to escape safel
y.The Grand Gulch area is closer to us than the Grand Canyon. It is also less crowded and less expensive. It is also more dog friendly. It is a great place to explore and relax in. We would love to go back. We would love for any of you reading this blog to join us. Just let us know!
Special thanks goes out to desert and river rat, Denny Preisser for the beta (that's a hip word for info and maps and such.)
posted by CHUSKA NATIVES at
6:27 PM
5 Comments:
glad you had a nice trip, ive been there several times,may i make a suggestion for your next hike, next time please abide by the simple rule set forth by the blm-no dogs allowed in grand gulch, this rule is set forth for obvious reasons, first is to keep the ruins from dogs walking through and dog crap and to also prevent mountain lions which sometimes pick up the scent of dogs and entices them to enter grand gulch thus putting other hikers in peril, you may be thinking "i didnt let my dog in the ruins", but if others see you do this, they may think that they too can do the same thing and perhaps they wont keep an eye on there dog and allow them to knock over ruins walls and such, if you honor these things then you will not think of grand gulch as a novelty thing but as sacred.
please worship the land,it is not a novelty thing, its sacred.
peace and blessings
Heyoka
By
Anonymous, at 9:17 AM
Hey Heyoka, with such a wise sounding name one would think that you would be more up-to-date with the rules. BLM rules as of fall 2007 exclude dogs from Slickhorn Canyon but not Grand Gulch. Dogs ARE allowed in Grand Gulch, Bullet Canyon, Fish Canyon, and Owl Canyon.
You might try digging a bit deeper for better beta. You also might try listing a real name so we know who you are. And while you're at it you also might try a little deeper theology. Worshiping the land will lead you to some cool rocks but you'll miss the Creator who unifies creation through His Son.
peace and blessings to you
Jesse Crane
By
CHUSKA NATIVES, at 5:51 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
By
CHUSKA NATIVES, at 6:04 PM
PS
One last thing, Heyoka. I have read "Lame Deer Seeker of Visions" as well as "Black Elk Speaks". I understand that you might be carrying out the meaning of the name "Heyoka", which in Lakota means trickster. If that is the case, "good on ya! good trick!" Maybe we can get together one of these moons and tell jokes around the fire. Don't forget the peace pipe.
jcdances
By
CHUSKA NATIVES, at 6:30 PM
easy hoss. i'll be touch.
By
Anonymous, at 3:27 PM
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