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  1. Canyon Country

Northern Arizona Southern Utah 2015

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  • After two full days on the road, we have finally arrived at Wahweap Marina Campground.  A very nice place in the Glen Canyon Nat'l Recreation area, but it is pricey, and designed more for boaters than hikers.  But it was strategically located, so why not.  Hey, they even set us up with a bit of afternoon shade.

    After two full days on the road, we have finally arrived at Wahweap Marina Campground. A very nice place in the Glen Canyon Nat'l Recreation area, but it is pricey, and designed more for boaters than hikers. But it was strategically located, so why not. Hey, they even set us up with a bit of afternoon shade.

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    IMG_3258.jpg

    We have seen photos of the Wahweap Canyon Toadstools ever since Michael Kelsey put them in one of his hiking guides. There are supposed to be some great toadstools (some people call them hoodoos) only 4.5 miles or so up Wahweap Canyon. And of course, thanks to President Clinton for using the Antiquities Act to protect these special places.

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    IMG_3264.jpg

    Wahweap Canyon. Magnificent, huh? Well, not exactly. This turns out to be the single most boring canyon hike I have ever done.

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    IMG_3266.jpg

    When you have to take photos of dried mud, you know that a lot of the scenery is pretty ordinary.

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    IMG_2899.jpg

    There are two in front of Roger. Can you see the second one?

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    IMG_3269.jpg

    Not to take anything away from the toadstools. They are quite interesting formations.

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    IMG_3280.jpg

    Up a small side canyon, there are lots of them.

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    IMG_2903.jpg

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    IMG_2907.jpg

    The cap rocks on each of the toadstools are large conglomerates. Very hard.

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    IMG_3301.jpg

    The cap stone looks like it is ready to slide.

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    IMG_2908.jpg

    Susie has to get artsy sometimes.

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    IMG_2913.jpg

    The next morning, we have driven down the road to Wire Pass (a side canyon of the famous Buckskin Gulch) from US 89. Lots of cars at the trailhead, but not too many folks out hiking yet. Looks pretty ordinary from here.

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    IMG_3313.jpg

    Getting ready to go into our first stretch of narrows.

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    IMG_2919.jpg

    Wire Pass is looking pretty neat.

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    IMG_3326.jpg

    Tough to photograph under high contrast conditions.

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    IMG_2925.jpg

    Wire Pass T-joints into Buckskin, and we decided to head down "stream". Roger had been in the first few miles of lower Buckskin in 1987 but not this upper part.

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    IMG_3339.jpg

    Buckskin Gulch has been called the best narrows in the world, and you start to see why here. The narrows go on for more than 12 miles.

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    IMG_3342.jpg

    Interesting lighting on a sunny day.

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    IMG_2935.jpg

    Great rock patterns

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    IMG_2937.jpg

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    IMG_2941.jpg

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    IMG_3357.jpg

    This place felt a bit different because of the width of the floor.

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    IMG_2954.jpg

    Ancient ripples on a beach tens of millions of years ago.

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    IMG_2956.jpg

    There was an interesting crack, which, if one studies the topo map, you can use to figure out where you are. GPS units are worthless down here.

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    After two full days on the road, we have finally arrived at Wahweap Marina Campground.  A very nice place in the Glen Canyon Nat'l Recreation area, but it is pricey, and designed more for boaters than hikers.  But it was strategically located, so why not.  Hey, they even set us up with a bit of afternoon shade.
    IMG_3258.jpg
    IMG_3264.jpg