Friday February 9, 2018
On my first trip to the park, something caught by eye down in a valley by the park road. I hiked down and explored a bit. Being quite late in the afternoon, I didn't get very far. Today was all about revisiting the Blue Creek Trail. According to my hiking guide, it's just over six miles to a trail juncture with the South Rim Trail, with a steep climb towards the end. The juncture was to be my turn around point. At least that was the plan.
I was actually at the trailhead before dawn...
Two years ago, the trail through the valley was clearly marked and mostly gravel. This time, the trail was in great shape only down into the valley from the road.
Head north up the trail and it used to skirt around large stone outcroppings and spires. Sometime within the last two years this part of the valley was badly damaged by rampaging flood waters. Most of he old trail was wiped away, leaving deep washes and debris.
Rock cairns have been placed throughout the washout to guide the way. I could even walk right up to some of the stone spires that were formerly on the hillside.
How deep were the washes? This was the deepest I found an it's just below chin level.
Leaving the spires behind, I continued up the trail...
Further up the trail, I started seeing caves in the hillside.
Eventually, the trail starts head up, out of the valley...
With no trail markers and based on the landmarks in the hiking guide, I stopped for a break here around three miles up the trail.
I walked all around this area, but for the life of me couldn't find any more cairns or signs of the trail any further. There wasn't even a clear landmark ahead. So, I turned around. In hindsight, it was a good thing.
From the trail back...
Something you don't see everyday, a bird's nest in a cactus.
The lack of a clear trail turned out to be a blessing. About a mile from the trailhead, I felt the first light splattering of rain. It never got heavy, but if you've ever been miles away from the car, hiking in the rain. It isn't pleasant. Though I still would have preferred to finish the trail.
Since it was my last night, I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner at the Starlight. I had forgotten about Slim-fest. Instead, I grabbed a beer and listened to the musicians playing on the adjacent porch.
And of course, sunset. This was a bit odd. There were thick clouds to the west. All the colors were off to the north of town.
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