ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/utahoutdoors/archive/utahoutdoors.9703

Internet Message Format | 1997-03-28 | 44KB

From: "Charles R. Gant" <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] My first inquiry
Date: 24 Mar 1997 16:17:15 -0500

Hello everyone,
  This is my first time at trying out a mailing list for any reason. I
am taking a Introduction to the Internet class at the community college
in James Town, North Carolina and doing this is a requirement. I have
had the great fortune of visiting Utah a number of times over the years.
I regret that I cannot be in that beautiful state more often. My wife
and myself flew out to Albuquerque, New Mexico last summer. We the drove
up to Taos to visit with some dear friends and then up to south central
Utah. my wife had never camped outdoors until this trip. Her idea of
roughing it is having to wait on room service for thirty minutes. She
fell in love with camping out. I was taking her to places like Capital
Reefs National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell. My favorite place in the
whole world, is the Cottonwood canyon drive area that is the back way to
get to Kodachrome Basin. I would appreciate any suggestions and
directions to other places in Utah that is private and remote to visit
in the future.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Mike Jones <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] My first inquiry
Date: 24 Mar 1997 16:21:50 -0700

> Hello everyone,
>   This is my first time at trying out a mailing list for any reason. I
> am taking a Introduction to the Internet class at the community college
> in James Town, North Carolina and doing this is a requirement. I have

I used to live in fayetteville (when my dad was in the air force) and my
grandfather still lives nearish to sylva.

> get to Kodachrome Basin. I would appreciate any suggestions and
> directions to other places in Utah that is private and remote to visit
> in the future.

private and remote = avoid national parks.  Its just that easy!

If you are sticking to southern utah, which it sounds like you are, go
somewhere in the San Raphael Swell to avoid crowds.  You may have never heard
of the san raphael swell, don't worry, nobody else has either.  (That's why
there's no crowds).  Plus if you visit in early to mid spring during the week
(rather than a weekend) or anytime in fall, you won't run into as many people.
 I've hiked in the swell 3 times in the past 4 months and run into exactly
zero other people.

The escalante used to be  wide open too but now its the newest and most
popular national park (er, I mean monument).  They are expecting 2 million
visitors this year.  (better make it 1,999,999  because I am not going this
year!)

So my advice is to get the book "canyoneering the san raphael swell" and pick
something easy out of it.  4wd will be an advantage as many of the roads are
sub-optimal for 2wd cars.  Plus bring a topo map and a compass.  There are no
signs and you will get lost (its part of the fun!) You can get the book at:

http://www.adventuroustraveler.com/atb/utaznm/G3413.HTM

I have been to goblin valley state park and eagle/forgotten canyons in the
swell and I highly reccomend both.  I have also visisted harris wash in the
escalante and reccomend it too for a longer so. utah canyon experience.

good luck,
mike.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Charles R. Gant" <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] [Fwd: My first inquiry]
Date: 24 Mar 1997 20:18:19 -0500

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I am sending this message back to [e-mail]. The reason
is to make sure I did correctly the first time and to make sure I sent a
carbon copy to my internet instructor

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Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hello everyone,
  This is my first time at trying out a mailing list for any reason. I
am taking a Introduction to the Internet class at the community college
in James Town, North Carolina and doing this is a requirement. I have
had the great fortune of visiting Utah a number of times over the years.
I regret that I cannot be in that beautiful state more often. My wife
and myself flew out to Albuquerque, New Mexico last summer. We the drove
up to Taos to visit with some dear friends and then up to south central
Utah. my wife had never camped outdoors until this trip. Her idea of
roughing it is having to wait on room service for thirty minutes. She
fell in love with camping out. I was taking her to places like Capital
Reefs National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell. My favorite place in the
whole world, is the Cottonwood canyon drive area that is the back way to
get to Kodachrome Basin. I would appreciate any suggestions and
directions to other places in Utah that is private and remote to visit
in the future.

--------------3917104D4D12--



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Gretchen L. Liff" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] [Fwd: My first inquiry]
Date: 25 Mar 1997 09:39:49 CST

At 08:18 PM 3/24/97 -0500, you wrote:
>I am sending this message back to [e-mail]. The reason
>is to make sure I did correctly the first time and to make sure I sent a
>carbon copy to my internet instructor
>Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
>Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 16:17:15 -0500
>From: "Charles R. Gant" <[e-mail]>
>Reply-To: [e-mail]
>Organization: home
>X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0 (Win95; U)
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>To: mailing list <[e-mail]>
>Subject: My first inquiry
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
>Hello everyone,
>  This is my first time at trying out a mailing list for any reason. I
>am taking a Introduction to the Internet class at the community college
>in James Town, North Carolina and doing this is a requirement. I have
>had the great fortune of visiting Utah a number of times over the years.
>I regret that I cannot be in that beautiful state more often. My wife
>and myself flew out to Albuquerque, New Mexico last summer. We the drove
>up to Taos to visit with some dear friends and then up to south central
>Utah. my wife had never camped outdoors until this trip. Her idea of
>roughing it is having to wait on room service for thirty minutes. She
>fell in love with camping out. I was taking her to places like Capital
>Reefs National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell. My favorite place in the
>whole world, is the Cottonwood canyon drive area that is the back way to
>get to Kodachrome Basin. I would appreciate any suggestions and
>directions to other places in Utah that is private and remote to visit
>in the future.
>Hi, got your message.  Visit Canyonlands NP both the Islands in the Sky and
Needles section. Practice you e-mail skills and e-mail me at [e-mail]
and I will send you more info.  Have you been to Moab, Ut.  Arches NP?



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Gretchen L. Liff" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] My first inquiry
Date: 25 Mar 1997 09:52:13 CST

At 04:21 PM 3/24/97 -0700, you wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>   This is my first time at trying out a mailing list for any reason. I
>> am taking a Introduction to the Internet class at the community college
>> in James Town, North Carolina and doing this is a requirement. I have
>
>I used to live in fayetteville (when my dad was in the air force) and my
>grandfather still lives nearish to sylva.
>
>> get to Kodachrome Basin. I would appreciate any suggestions and
>> directions to other places in Utah that is private and remote to visit
>> in the future.
>
>private and remote = avoid national parks.  Its just that easy!
>
>If you are sticking to southern utah, which it sounds like you are, go
>somewhere in the San Raphael Swell to avoid crowds.  You may have never heard
>of the san raphael swell, don't worry, nobody else has either.  (That's why
>there's no crowds).  Plus if you visit in early to mid spring during the week
>(rather than a weekend) or anytime in fall, you won't run into as many people.
> I've hiked in the swell 3 times in the past 4 months and run into exactly
>zero other people.
>
>The escalante used to be  wide open too but now its the newest and most
>popular national park (er, I mean monument).  They are expecting 2 million
>visitors this year.  (better make it 1,999,999  because I am not going this
>year!)
>
>So my advice is to get the book "canyoneering the san raphael swell" and pick
>something easy out of it.  4wd will be an advantage as many of the roads are
>sub-optimal for 2wd cars.  Plus bring a topo map and a compass.  There are no
>signs and you will get lost (its part of the fun!) You can get the book at:
>
>http://www.adventuroustraveler.com/atb/utaznm/G3413.HTM
>
>I have been to goblin valley state park and eagle/forgotten canyons in the
>swell and I highly reccomend both.  I have also visisted harris wash in the
>escalante and reccomend it too for a longer so. utah canyon experience.
>
>good luck,
>mike.
>
>Capital Reef NP is not over used and very nice.  Make sure of a spot to stay
as camping and Motels fill up, but they are limited so the park does not get
crowded.  Hike the washes and Hickman bridge for short walks.  4 wheel drive
is an advantage.  Have a great time.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Chris Grant" <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] Pine Valley Mountains
Date: 25 Mar 1997 10:16:32 -0800


Some friends of mine have asked me to plan a backpacking trip in
Utah for them and me this summer.  I've been thinking about the
possibility of a 3-day hike along the Summit Trail in the Pine Valley
Mountain Wilderness Area, maybe in late June or early July.  As a
kid, I went backpacking with my family on the north end of this
Wilderness Area several times (before it was an official
Wilderness Area), but that was 20 years ago (so my memory's a
little foggy) and we never went as far south as the Summit Trail.
Is there anyone here that has done this hike and has any advice?
In particular, is lack of water a problem along this trail?  (The Utah
hiking books indicate that it might be.)  How much traffic does
the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness Area get nowadays?

Chris Grant




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From: KALMBACH DANIEL <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails
Date: 25 Mar 1997 21:41 -0700 (MST)

Hello!,
     I am hoping someone can give me advice on mountain biking
trails around Moab.  I will be going there in a few weeks and I would
like to try some new trails.  Like almost everyone else, I've ridden
Slick Rock Trail a few times.  I've also done Gemini Arches, and Klondike
Bluffs.  What I'm looking for is the more remote, beautiful trails.
Although, it's hard to imagine any trail in Utah being anything but
beautiful!  Anyway, I don't know the area that well, so I'd appreciate
any advice on trails around Moab, or if there's some really good ones
anywhere in the state.

Thanks in advance!,

Dan Kalmbach



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From: Jeanne Doomen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails
Date: 26 Mar 1997 07:52:23 +0100

At 21:41 25-03-97 -0700, Dan Kalmbach wrote:
>Hello!,
>     I am hoping someone can give me advice on mountain biking
>trails around Moab.  I will be going there in a few weeks and I would
>like to try some new trails.

I'm more of a hiker than a biker so I do not have any concrete suggestions.
But there are two bike shops in Moab where I have found the staff to be
really friendly and helpful. They really know that country and will
probably be happy to point out some good trails to you.
One store is called the Poison Spider and is on Main Street, the other is
Moab's oldest bike shop and I think it's called the Rim Cyclery - anyway
it's opposite the Red Rock Lodge which is located at 51 N 1st West.

Have fun - I will have to wait till September to get back to Utah...;-(

Jeanne


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Kathy & Lynn B <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails
Date: 26 Mar 1997 09:43:55 -0700

KALMBACH DANIEL wrote:
>
> Hello!,
>      I am hoping someone can give me advice on mountain biking
> trails around Moab.  I will be going there in a few weeks and I would
> like to try some new trails.  Like almost everyone else, I've ridden
> Slick Rock Trail a few times.  I've also done Gemini Arches, and Klondike
> Bluffs.  What I'm looking for is the more remote, beautiful trails.
> Although, it's hard to imagine any trail in Utah being anything but
> beautiful!  Anyway, I don't know the area that well, so I'd appreciate
> any advice on trails around Moab, or if there's some really good ones
> anywhere in the state.
>
> Thanks in advance!,
>
> Dan Kalmbach
>
I've heard that both the Poision Spider and Porcupine Rim are great!  I
know some people that have ridden them and said that I really missed out
not going with them.

Speaking from experience, make sure that you have the best maps
available for the ride.  We had a near fatal experience on Gemini
bridges that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We couldn't tell
from the maps that we used where we were.  We went left where we should
have gone right and ended up somewhere we should not have been.

Poision Spider Bicycles has some really good maps of the area and they
can suggest any good rides that you will not want to miss.

Have fun! Remember: hydrate or die ~8)

--Lynn


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Mike Jones <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails
Date: 26 Mar 1997 11:33:53 -0700


> Speaking from experience, make sure that you have the best maps
> available for the ride.  We had a near fatal experience on Gemini
> bridges that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We couldn't tell

Hey!  I got lost there too!  It was great fun.  Next time I'll take a map.

southern utah is not a friendly or forgiving place.

mike.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Kenison <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails
Date: 26 Mar 1997 11:55:19 -0700 (MST)

On Wed, 26 Mar 1997, Mike Jones wrote:

> > Speaking from experience, make sure that you have the best maps
> > available for the ride.  We had a near fatal experience on Gemini
> > bridges that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We couldn't tell
>
> Hey!  I got lost there too!  It was great fun.  Next time I'll take a map.

I had a map, and STILL got lost.  However, in the process of finding our
way back, we startled a desert bighorn sheep and got some great closeup
views.  So it was worth it...

David Kenison - Orem, Utah     [e-mail]
 My Homepage URL:  http://www.xmission.com/~dkenison/
 Internet Lists:   LDS-GEMS, Cougar-Net, UtahOutdoors




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From: Heather Ohman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails -Reply
Date: 26 Mar 1997 12:48:44 -0700

My roommate is from Moab, and told me that the Moab Rim is a great trail,
except it could be dangerous if you do not have a map.  It's pretty long,
and more difficult.    She agreed that both the Poison Spider and
Porcupine Rim are excellent as well.

She also agreed that you should go to Poison Spider Bicycles for your
maps.  They are very friendly, and have the best maps available. (And
they happen to be located across the street from her family.)

Good luck, have fun.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Mike Jones <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] Lost!
Date: 26 Mar 1997 13:12:49 -0700

with the recent spate of posts about being lost on the gemini bridges trail, I
was thinking about my favorite times being lost and wondering about the rest
of you.

so what was your favorite experience being lost?  What happened to get you
lost?  How did you get unlost (assuming you did)?  What did you learn from it?

Here's my favorite:

I got lost on the front side of mount timpanogos in late december.  I left on
a loop hike from grove creek to battle creek canyons via fisher flat at about
9am.  I got lost because I went solo, somewhere I'd never been, without a map
during a moderate snowstorm.

I found myself (mostly geographicaly, but not especialy philosophicaly) by
pretty much walking and walking until I saw a trail sign.  what saved me was
that I'd brought a flashlight and could keep moving in the dark.  I was also
prepared with gear for an uncomfortable but survivable night on the mountain.

Seeing the city lights of lindon utah from battle creek canyon was one of the
most awe inspiring sights on my life becaus then I could find my way home for
sure. I completed the loop 12 snowy hours after I started.   Its only about a
5 mile loop.

I learned that one should always bring a map, especialy when hiking alone,
somewhere you've never been when the visibility is about 100 yards.  But it
was great fun.  Lots of time for thinking too.


mike.




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From: Richard Trevallee <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Mountain Biking Trails
Date: 26 Mar 1997 14:24:21 -0700

Mike Jones wrote:
>
> > Speaking from experience, make sure that you have the best maps
> > available for the ride.  We had a near fatal experience on Gemini
> > bridges that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We couldn't tell
>
> Hey!  I got lost there too!  It was great fun.  Next time I'll take a map.
>
> southern utah is not a friendly or forgiving place.
>
> mike.

Sorry to tell you this folks but its both friendly and forgiving IF your
smart enough to play by the right set of rules.  Know what your doing


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Heather Ohman <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] Paria Canyon
Date: 26 Mar 1997 15:24:23 -0700

HELP ME!!!  Some friends and I are going on a three day backpacking trip
down to Paria Canyon the first weekend in April.  We've been reading up
on a lot of the hikes and so forth, but we are unsure what type of things
to pack with us.  I am used to hiking in colder mountainous areas from
central to northern Utah, so what do you take for warmer weather
conditions?  Do you have any advice for the hike, or do you know of any
places we wouldn't want to miss?  I could use all the help I can get!
Thanks!!

Heather


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From: Jeff Porcaro <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] Paria Canyon -Reply
Date: 26 Mar 1997 15:25:53 -0700

I would not bank on the weather being all that warm. I did a trip last april
to Grand Gulch in southern utah and the days were in the 60's but the
nights got cold. One morning we woke up to frozen water bottles. So I
would be more conservitive and pack something warm just in case.

As far as warm weather gear I always like to use layers, as it gets
warmer you take off a layer. Shortsdo ok if there is not alot of
bushwhacking. I also like to go in T-shirts.

Remember to take sunscreen and lip balm and keep hydrated.

Jeff Porcaro
http://missionimprobable.com/users/jporcaro

>>> Heather Ohman <[e-mail]> 03/26/97 03:24pm >>>
HELP ME!!!  Some friends and I are going on a three day backpacking trip
down to Paria Canyon the first weekend in April.  We've been reading up
on a lot of the hikes and so forth, but we are unsure what type of things
to pack with us.  I am used to hiking in colder mountainous areas from
central to northern Utah, so what do you take for warmer weather
conditions?  Do you have any advice for the hike, or do you know of any
places we wouldn't want to miss?  I could use all the help I can get!
Thanks!!

Heather



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Brandt-Erichsen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Paria Canyon
Date: 26 Mar 1997 17:58:38 -0700

At 03:24 PM 3/26/97 -0700, you wrote:
>HELP ME!!!  Some friends and I are going on a three day backpacking trip
>down to Paria Canyon the first weekend in April.  We've been reading up
>on a lot of the hikes and so forth, but we are unsure what type of things
>to pack with us.  I am used to hiking in colder mountainous areas from
>central to northern Utah, so what do you take for warmer weather
>conditions?  Do you have any advice for the hike, or do you know of any
>places we wouldn't want to miss?  I could use all the help I can get!

The main thing in Paria is to take an old or a cheap pair of hiking boots
that you can wade in water with, since you will be hiking in ankle deep
water about one third of the time.  A pair of cheap HiTechs are comfortable
and cheap enough to be expendable for the trip.  You might want to take a
pair of lightweight dry shoes to change into in camp.  Wear shorts while
hiking, so coat your legs with sunscreen.  There is one place you need to
wade waste deep to cross the water.  In this case it is best to go barefoot
because then you can pull your foot out of the mud at the bottom, whereas a
hiking boot will stick in the mud and you will lose your balance and maybe
dump your pack in the water like I almost did.  A collapsable gallon jug is
good for ferrying water to camp and let it sit for the sludge to settle
("Paria" is an Indian word for "yucky"), or to fill at the few springs.

The other thing to bring is a good weather report!  I know from experience,
which I shall relate in a separate message.  The first weekend in April is a
good time to go, but there are the possibility of thunderstorms that time of
year and you should not go if the forecast calls for them.  You can buy a
small weatherradio from Radio Shack for about $20 that is small enough you
can take it backpacking, but it won't work down in the Canyon, so there is
no point taking it with you.  However, there is a weather broadcast from
Navajo Mountain so you can get a good signal at the trailhead before you go
down.  They give a five-day forecast for the area.

Since you are only going three days, I'm not sure you are going all the way
through (I couldn't), but if so, don't miss the fifth-largest natural arch
in the world, Wrather Arch.  For info about that, see
<http://www.CyberSeek.com/org/NABS/wrather.html>

Paria is a very beautiful place.  Enjoy!



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Brandt-Erichsen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Paria Canyon
Date: 26 Mar 1997 17:58:41 -0700

MY PARIA CANYON STORY

Personally, I hate backpacking.  I hate carrying a pack and I
hate not having a bed and especially a shower at the end of the
day.  So I only do it when a place is so beautiful that I simply
must go and there is no other way to get there.  Paria Canyon is
such a place.  And its tributary, Buckskin Gulch, is supposed to
be even better.

You can find photos of this place in Arizona Highways for January
1978 and January 1988, and the cover photo of "Hiking the
Southwest's Canyon Country" was taken here (although the book
doesn't tell you that).  The usual trek is a 35-mile backpack
that takes you through spectacular canyon narrows that rival
those of Zion, but it is possible to get into the heart of this
country with a day-hike as well (albeit a 15-mile day-hike, round
trip).  You can do this as a long day-hike by hiking down the
Paria to the confluence with the Buckskin, then up the Buckskin
for about a half mile.  The canyon walls at this point are about
400 feet deep and you can touch both sides of the canyon at the
same time!  You need to wear shoes that you can walk through
water with, because about one third of the time you will be doing
that.  But mostly it is easy going, the water being only ankle
deep, and there is virtually no elevation gain.  I encountered a
thigh-deep pool just inside the Buckskin.  Bring a hiking stick
to probe the water in front of you for depth.

References:  (1) Send $2 for the "Hikers Guide to Paria" to the
Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip District Office, 196 E.
Tabernacle St., St. George, UT 84770.  (2) "Hiking and Exploring
the Paria River" by Michael R. Kelsey, Kelsey Publishing, 1987.

A word of caution regarding narrow canyons anywhere:  I did this
35-mile backpack, and on the second day nearly got killed in a
flash flood situation.  BE SURE YOU HAVE A FAVORABLE WEATHER
FORECAST.  And I'm not kidding.  I relay this story below.


PARIA CANYON ADVENTURE.  The most adventurous hike I've ever
taken was in May, 1987, when I hiked 35 miles down Paria Canyon.
The hike starts in Utah about 40 miles west of Glen Canyon Dam
and ends in Arizona at Lees Ferry, where the river trips start
down the Grand Canyon.  Paria Canyon contains some of the deepest
canyon narrows in the world, surpassed only by the Zion Narrows
some hundred miles to the west.  With me were my friends Mark and
Shelley from the Tucson Space Society, and Jackson, a student
from Beijing, China.

The first night we camped in the heart of the narrows where the
Buckskin Gulch joins the Paria.  I dubbed this spot "the best
campsite in the world" when we got there at about 3:00 pm.  After
dusk, I changed that designation to "the most BEAUTIFUL campsite
in the world" because at dusk the frogs started in. Echoing in
the narrow canyon walls, the frogs sounded like a motorcycle gang
revving their engines all around the tents.  The noise was
constant until you finally got used to it, then it would suddenly
stop (which would wake you up if you had somehow managed to get
to sleep) and then restart about fifteen minutes later (waking
you up again if you had the audacity to go back to sleep).  Those
frogs were fiendish.

The next day in the early morning we wandered up Buckskin Gulch a
ways, reaching a spot where we could simultaneously touch both
walls of the canyon which at that point was about 400 feet deep.
The place was amazing.  Our most frequent word was "Wow," and we
got stiff necks from admiring the scenery.  Five hours later we
were nearly killed by a flash flood.

At about 11:30 am we had lunch on a sunny rock in the middle of
the river (this being a riverbed hike; about one-third of the
time you are walking through water).  Within 30 minutes it
started to rain, then hail (large, painful hailstones), then it
began to POUR.  I mean BUCKETS.  The thunder was continuous and
incredibly loud within the canyon walls.  My head was filled with
all the warnings about this place and how there is no way out in
a flash flood and wondering how extensive the storm was in the
watershed upstream. All we could do was head downstream as fast
as we could and look for some place to get as high up as we
could.  There was no way out of the canyon for miles in either
direction.

Being the slowest hiker, I was last to arrive at a spot where
Mark had climbed about 30 feet up a triangular talus slope and
was huddled at the apex. Shelley and Jackson were looking up as
if debating whether or not to follow Mark, when suddenly Mark
came flying down, urging us to go on.  We found out later that
the reason Mark abandoned that spot was that water started to
come down the back of his neck and was dissolving the stuff he
was sitting on--he was literally getting washed out.  At this
point SHEETS of water were pouring down both sides of the canyon
walls, and water was gushing out of every crack and crevice.  The
sensation was something like being at the bottom of a giant
flushing toilet bowl.  I remember yelling "this is #$%@&$@
ridiculous; we've got to get the #%&# out of here!"

We continue downstream.  It's raining so hard we could hardly see
fifty feet. Normally, the easiest and quickest route is straight
down the riverbed, through the water.  If there is a rise to one
side, it is usually more work and slower to go that way, and we
were definitely in a hurry.  Being last again, I see the three of
them heading up to the left a bit, away from the riverbed.  It
doesn't look promising, and I debate whether to follow them or go
straight down the river.  I decide, without any really good
reason, to go with the majority and follow them.  Maybe they
found something.

As it turned out, the little embankment kept getting higher and
wider.  Things started to look more promising.  We found another
hiker, a lone girl, huddled under a rock ledge.  Since there
wasn't room for anyone else under the ledge, we continued on to
find a wide, sandy area with a bunch of small trees on it. This
looked even more promising.  But suddenly Mark, who was in the
lead, whirled around with an expression on his face indicating
very clearly that this was NOT the way to go.  Mark had a hat on
that made the scene look like it was taken right out of "Indiana
Jones".  Right behind him, I could see a brown mass of material
falling down the opposite canyon wall.  It was about halfway down
the cliff.  We clearly had only a few seconds to get as far away
from it as possible before it hit.

We couldn't go very far, since we were already very close to the
canyon wall on our side.  We turned our backs to the falling mass
and clung to a couple of trees, expecting to get hit by exploding
shrapnel from falling rocks.  It took us a few minutes to realize
that what we had seen was not a rockfall, but was a flash flood
that had come over the TOP of the canyon wall (a possibility that
had not occurred to us--we had been worried about a flash flood
coming from BEHIND).  The noise was incredible.  We clung to the
trees while getting plastered by sand, mud, and water from the
waterfall and storm, not knowing if there was another flood
headed our way from upstream.  We knew there was nothing else we
could do but hang on and wait.

The three others started to shiver uncontrollably, and began to
worry about the possibility of hypothermia.  I was a little
warmer, being the only one who had a poncho on.  I remember
thinking "this trip was my idea; if we get killed, I'm going to
feel REAL BAD about getting my friends into this."  I noticed
that all the trees around us had large broken limbs.  I worried
about what had broken those limbs.

Well, obviously since I am able to write about this we did
survive the ordeal. After about twenty minutes, both the rain and
the waterfall let up, and we were able to take stock of the
situation.  I quickly scampered off for a little privacy, because
I was having a large parasympathetic response (yes, it literally
scared the #!#% out of me).  But there is nothing so bad it isn't
good for something:  it cleaned me out so thoroughly that I
didn't have to go again for the rest of the trip (three more
days).  The river, normally ankle deep, was maybe thigh deep (we
weren't about to test it).  All our equipment had been carefully
packed and stayed dry.  We made camp, crawled into our sleeping
bags to get warm, and after a lengthy study of the inaccurate BLM
map concluded that we had been lucky enough to reach a "safe"
campsite area at mile 11 (we had no idea we had come that far).

Remember the decision point I mentioned above?  Well, if I had
continued downstream instead of following the others, I would
have been right under the waterfall when it hit.

It was again difficult for me to sleep that night, because I
still didn't know what the weather was doing upstream, and every
once in a while the river would suddenly become louder.  I didn't
complain about the frogs.  We shared our equipment with the other
hiker, whose camp was a few miles upstream.  The next morning, we
started out at the crack of dawn to put as many miles behind us
as we could.  We didn't even stop for pictures.  The water was
shin- to knee-deep the rest of the way out of the canyon.

I called the Ranger after getting out of the canyon to see if
they were letting people down the canyon the day of the flood.
He said "yes, people come a long way to see this place, and we
don't want to disappoint them." Well, I guess I wasn't
disappointed, either.  Paria Canyon, all the way from the
beginning to the end, ranks among the most beautiful places I
have ever seen.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Stephen M. H. Braitman)
Subject: [OUTDOORS] San Raphael Swell
Date: 26 Mar 1997 20:49:27 -0800

I've been "into" the Swell only once to any significant degree, other than
passing through and in proximity to places like Goblin Valley and Factory
Butte.  But my day trip into Black Canyon Wash, in the north end, was
unforgettable.  The intimacy with massive land forms, and the startling
petroglyphs (though tragically defaced), made for memorable walk through a
deep cut through the earth.


>
>Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 16:39:20 -0700
>From: Mike Jones <[e-mail]>
>Subject: [OUTDOORS] characterizing the san raphael swell.
>
>So I went down to the san raphael swell again to hike another canyon.  This
>time though, the swell defeated us.  We got lost and missed our objective and
>ended up bailing to goblin valley state park.  The swell is a harsh place.
>There's no signs.  No rangers.  No people.  Few landmarks.  The swell doesn't
>want to be your friend.  It doesn't welcome visitors and it has no tolerance
>for novices.
>
>But despite the anti-social behavior of the san raphael swell (being a novice
>to canyoneering, I find the swell has little tolerance for me), its an amazing
>place.  In both trips to the swell, I have seen exactly zero people in 2 days
>of hiking.  But I've experienced hiking that rivals (or even blows away) whats
>in the relatively tame arches or zion NP.
>
>Has anyone else out there experienced the swell?  If so, how would you
>characterize it?
>
>humbled but continualy allured by the swell,
>mike.
>
>

=================================

Stephen M. H. Braitman
A M O R O U S  W R I T I N G  &
E D I T I N G  S E R V I C E S
3145 Geary Blvd. #623
San Francisco, CA 94118
415/626-3762 FAX [phone]
[e-mail]

==================================




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Michael Carr <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] San Raphael Swell
Date: 28 Mar 1997 08:04:30 -0700 (MST)


>Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 16:39:20 -0700
>From: Mike Jones <[e-mail]>
>Subject: [OUTDOORS] characterizing the san raphael swell.
>
>So I went down to the san raphael swell...
> The swell is a harsh place.
>There's no signs.  No rangers.  No people.  Few landmarks.  The swell doesn't
>want to be your friend.  It doesn't welcome visitors and it has no tolerance
>for novices.
>
>But despite the anti-social behavior of the san raphael swell (being a novice
>to canyoneering, I find the swell has little tolerance for me), its an amazing
>place.  In both trips to the swell, I have seen exactly zero people in 2 days
>of hiking.  But I've experienced hiking that rivals (or even blows away) whats
>in the relatively tame arches or zion NP.
>
>Has anyone else out there experienced the swell?  If so, how would you
>characterize it?
>
>humbled but continualy allured by the swell,
>mike.
>>
>
>[e-mail]
>


There's a great book out by Mr. David Kennison, I believe, called "Hiking
the San Rafael".  He's thorough on the places to see and I'd recommend it if
you do any more exploring.  If you have missed the San Rafael, you have got
to experience its beauty and severity.  The San Rafael is probably the most
unknown area in the state, and isolation is certainly one thing you will
find, especially in the southwest end. I don't know how to characterize the
swell--- severe, as spectacular as any views anywhere! from sun-tipped
buttes towering like guardians over the swell to the deepest cut canyons
short of the Grand; to me its like staring time in the face, kind of like
looking at the comet right now, simply calming and inspiring.  I'm in love
with the Swell.

A word of advice, don't explore the Swell on Easter.  The locals always
overtake the desert on that weekend. Oh yeah, and stay out of the mountains
during the bow hunt.

If anyone is planning a hike in the area, please, please, please give me a
call.  I'm assembling my equipment and am still somewhat a novice, but I am
intensely interested in hiking this area this year.  I need to find a group
that's willing to let in a fledgling.

The area near Temple mountain and Goblin Valley are good mountain biking
country as well. I did spend a lot of time exploring on motorcycle through
the north Swell, down Coal Wash near Ferron and the Buckhorn Wash area near
Castle Dale, but haven't beek hiking at all in the desert. I would be very
cautious with water sources in the Swell.  A lot of upland grazing by cattle
and sheep, and all of the river drainage through the Swell also passes
through the small communities and power plants in the area.  You know the
stagnant pool rule and waterlife, and it applies in the swell, due to some
intense concentrations of minerals in the area.  The rule doesn't always
hold though, because life is a hard thing to find in the Swell, anytime.

The Swell is the most gorgeous place on earth.  I spent my teenage years
living in Castle Dale, a great jumping off point to explore the whole area.
The area is rich in history and diverse in landscape.  I'd break the swell
into two parts, the north end, north of I-70 to Castle Dale and the lower
end, south of I-70 to about Goblin Valley State Park.


If you're interested, here are some general experience in the area:

The north end of the Swell really is devloped about Castle Dale southward,
and between Highway 10 and Highway 6.  One of the most spectacular trips is
a canoe launch from Fuller's Bottom down the San Rafael River to the
Swinging Bridge.  Some of the country I beleive is highly inaccessible
except by the river, traveling through the country overlooked by the "Wedge"
or the little Grand Canyon.  The trip is a 3/4 day journey and should only
be taken with extreme caution to the level of the river.  Mid-summer is
probably the best time.  Deaths have ocurred on the river when taken in
early spring and the river is too low in late summer and causes a lot of
dragging.  Just north of Castle Dale near Cleveland is a dinosaur quarry
which to the casual visitor may be of interest.  My wife's father is a
Paleontologist and has received world recognition for finding the most
intact Jurassic era dinosaur egg which came from the quarry.  He did a
geological survey for a power line of a route from the Castle Dale power
plant to Grand Junction Colorado -- entirely on foot (He's 60) -- a couple
of years ago.  He came back a broken man and the proposed route took in the
easiest course around the Swell.  The area has spectacular hiking in the
mountains during the summer as well.  Just 45 minutes to an hour west of the
edge of the swell, one can find the Manti-LaSal National Forest.  Great
hikes are available following the mountain lakes along Skyline Drive from
the top of Huntington Canyon down to Ferron and beyond.  The grandparents
grew up just outside of Huntington, and recall stories their parents relate
about the Wild Bunch trading horses with the farmers in the community on
their robbery escapades through Price and the payrolls of the coal mines.
They say that the Bunch were always kind to the residents.  One can find
Matt Warner's name on the canyon walls in the Swell near the Swinging
Bridge.  Matt was a member of the Bunch, but turned to be the law in Price
and eventually to chasing the gang. Too many boyhood stories, though.

The south end of the swell, south of I-70 and west of highway 24 and
following the borders of the county is beautiful country.  This area can be
hard to get into due to severly cut canyons, but probably the topo maps with
access roads haven't changed too much.  A lot of the country near temple
mountain has been mined several decades ago for uranium and one can always
happen across the tunnels and equipment remains.  The Grandparents were one
of many to strike claims in the area.  While they never made a fortune, some
tales out of the Lucky Strike mine and others did strike it big.  Just stay
out of the tunnels, the places are too dangerous; gases will pool and
suffocate and some miners weren't attentive to safety in timbering.



Mike Carr
[e-mail]
[phone]




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Michael Carr <[e-mail]>
Subject: [OUTDOORS] Hiking the San Rafael
Date: 28 Mar 1997 11:37:28 -0700 (MST)

Major aneurism on the author of the book, "Hiking the San Rafael". That was
Michael R. Kelsey, not David Kennison.  Sorry, first timer!



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Kenison <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] Hiking the San Rafael
Date: 28 Mar 1997 12:10:50 -0700 (MST)

On Fri, 28 Mar 1997, Michael Carr wrote:

> Major aneurism on the author of the book, "Hiking the San Rafael". That was
> Michael R. Kelsey, not David Kennison.  Sorry, first timer!

I was complimented, even if you misspelled my name!  I've often thought if
I could do hikes in the times that Kelsey claims, I'd consider myself
quite a hiker.

David Kenison - Orem, Utah     [e-mail]
 My Homepage URL:  http://www.xmission.com/~dkenison/
 Internet Lists:   LDS-GEMS, Cougar-Net, UtahOutdoors



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Brandt-Erichsen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [OUTDOORS] San Raphael Swell
Date: 28 Mar 1997 13:05:03 -0700

At 08:04 AM 3/28/97 -0700, Michael Carr wrote:

>There's a great book out by Mr. David Kennison, I believe, called "Hiking
>the San Rafael".

Can anyone supply more information on how to get this book?  I thought I
knew about everything published about the Swell but I sure missed this one
and would like to get it.  Many thanks for any help.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Roger Jenkins" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [OUTDOORS] Paria Canyon
Date: 29 Mar 1997 00:54:07 UT

Heather, the Paria trip is great.  I would strongly suggest that you get
Michael Kelsey's book on hiking the Paria.  If you read the part about
Buckskin gulch, you will find a reference to some campers finding rattlesnakes
and that Kelsey did not know how the snakes got there (the campsite up from
the confluence of buckskin and Paria)  Those snakes are our snakes.  We ran
into Kelsey when he was writing the book, back in May of '87.  but 3 days is
not enough to really do the hike up correctly.  Need some time to explore and
climb up to Wrather Arch.

Roger Jenkins

----------
Sent:     Wednesday, March 26, 1997 5:24 PM

HELP ME!!!  Some friends and I are going on a three day backpacking trip
down to Paria Canyon the first weekend in April.  We've been reading up
on a lot of the hikes and so forth, but we are unsure what type of things
to pack with us.  I am used to hiking in colder mountainous areas from
central to northern Utah, so what do you take for warmer weather
conditions?  Do you have any advice for the hike, or do you know of any
places we wouldn't want to miss?  I could use all the help I can get!
Thanks!!

Heather