(Images best viewed in Firefox)
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
October 9, | 10/09 - Friday | ||
2015 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound. | 1:30 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
October 19, | Kansas | Non-stop to Hays, KS | Hotel (1) night. |
2015 | Arrived at just before 8:30 PM. | To "Gilley's" downtown Hays - food/beer after registering. | |
Gilley's is a micro brewery. | Ordered sandwiches and a local brew - good place. | ||
Returned to motel after getting lost on a loop road. | Turned in around 11 PM | ||
10/10 - Saturday | |||
Up at 6:30 AM - checked out. | To "Union Station Coffee" for breakfast-very good. | ||
Photo Trip | Colorado | Eric driving to Limon & stop for gas. | Also stopped at M'Ds for coffee. |
I pick up driving and on to Denver. | Found Crema Coffee & took a break. | ||
(10 days) | Crema Coffee, a third wave coffee shop. | Located Northeast of downtown in a developing area. | |
On to Silverthorn & discovered a CO Visitor Center. | On to East Vail & stopped to take a few shots. | ||
Colorado | Continued to Glenwood Springs & took Hwy 133 south. | Stopped at a hot spring in the Crystal River along 133. | |
Plateau | On to McClure Pass & great fall color in aspen. | Ferns two feet high coat the forest floor. | |
Road | Drove thru Hotchkiss, Delta, Montrose, Ridgeway. | Arrived Telluride after long climb on Hwy 145 around 8 PM. | |
Trip | To High Pie Pizza & Tap Room. | Ordered Calzones and a local draft. | |
Returned to lodging, did some organizng. | Watched a little tv and checked weather-turned in at 11PM. | ||
10/11 - Sunday. | |||
Up around 6:45AM and got around. | To Cowboy Coffee stand downtown. | ||
After coffee & muffin headed west on Hwy 145. | To Silver Pick Road and south toward Silver Pick Basin. | ||
A beautiful morning with some great clouds. | Those great clouds were just covering Mt Wilson's summit. | ||
We stopped several times on Wilson Mesa to shoot. | Fall color was good and a background with Mt Wilson. | ||
Returned to Telluride after a few hours . | Stopped at "Butcher & Baker" for late breakfast. | ||
After eating we drove up switchbacks to Power Plant. | This road is actually fairly rough in a few of the turns. | ||
Goal is to scout route for hike tomorrow to Lewis Mine. | Hiked in to first series of switchbacks and returned. | ||
Stopped after first road switchback on return. | Checking out an old mine & scattered equipment. | ||
Talked to a group of people getting ready to do hike. | Guide taking hikers to via ferrata" route in cliffs above. | ||
Back to Telluride and parked near Gondola to Alreeds. | Rode Gondola 2000' up to Alreeds. | ||
Explored Alreed's facility for a while. | Stopped for a little refreshment in Resturant Lounge. | ||
Returned via Gondola to Teluride - great views. | Eventually decided to have dinner at "Siam" Thai resturant. | ||
Back to Lodge and relaxed a bit - watched some TV. | Making sure we have our gear together and turned in early. | ||
10/12 - Monday. | |||
Up and around at 6:45 AM. | Got gear together for hike to Lewis Mine - 4 miles one way. | ||
To "Baked in Telluride" for a breakfast sandwich. | Returned to switchbacks and up to Telluride Power Plant. | ||
Got gear on and cameras together & turned vehicle. | Set up Garmin Monterra to track & we were off @ 8:15 AM. | ||
Beautiful day & making good time to first switchbacks. | Continuing on to second switchbacks & much climbing. | ||
Continuing uphill on rocky jeep trail we hit trail split. | Took the right trail into a more flat brushy area. | ||
Continued more gently uphill for maybe half mile | Took a break and got out a Pro Bar - new to me. | ||
Hiker with black lab approaches after a few minutes. | Spoke a bit with hiker who is from Telluride. | ||
This is the only person we have seen so far on this route. | Hiker left and we followed a few minutes later. | ||
We arrived at a trail split to right but did not take. | Trail to right climbs and traverses bench adding a mile. | ||
Decided to head straight for Gulley and climb thru. | I thought there would be some kind of trail thru Gulley. | ||
Two large diameter pipes climb flanking sides of Gulley | One pipe on left is severed and the other leaking badly. | ||
There is a trail on left that stops at broken pipe. | We had to back out of trail, drop down and reclimb in center. | ||
Gulley turns out to be pretty huge - a bit intimidating. | Half-way up it becomes a Class III scramble. | ||
A lot of water in the Gulley - like a watefall almost. | Eventually climbed Gulley & over a large boulder at top. | ||
A sluice gate at top of Gulley creates an impoundment. | Large pipe continues thru impoundment and up drainage. | ||
The pipe is almost flat so we decided to walk pipe. | This was pretty cool and easier than the rough ground plane. | ||
Continuing up drainage upclimb out & onto a two track. | Eventually we see Lewis Mine just over quarter mile away. | ||
Really feeling the altitude now at 12,500 feet. | Dropped packs at high point of two track & took a break. | ||
Gulley route & drainage is a high energy effort. | We will not return thru Gulley but take longer bench route. | ||
While taking break hiker we met returns and we talk. | Knew bushwack route avoiding Gulley & bench route. | ||
He got a kick out of the fact that we went thru Gulley. | We may be the only idiots who have actually taken that route. | ||
He said there were two volunteers collecting wood. | County has a work cabin near the mine & keep it stocked. | ||
We continued on to Lewis Mine after break. | This is a pretty dramatic site. | ||
Certainly glad San Miguel County maintains this mill. | The building is actually a stamping mill and not a mine. | ||
We crossed bridge & opened door to mill. | Wow, what a sight, the rock crusher is right at entrance. | ||
You can see old equipment & the large timber framing. | Passing on you enter to top of the wood super structure. | ||
Looking down into the guts of the building is awesome. | It almost looks like an M. C. Ecsher stair scene. | ||
Down 5 stories of wood stairs to the lowest level. | The floors are good condition w/ various equipment in place. | ||
We explored the building for an hour or more. | Two other groups of visitors arrived while we were leaving. | ||
Wore ourselves out climbing around and taking shots. | Eventually returned to packs and took a break. | ||
Following circuitious jeep trail across bench on return. | As you descend bench jeep trail actually gets pretty steep. | ||
Took another break where bench trail meets main trail. | Walked non-stop all the way back to Power Plant. | ||
On the return you realize this trail is pretty rough. | Its steep, a lot of slabs and ankle bender rocks. | ||
Feet are pretty sore by the time we returned to vehicle. | Down the switchbacks & back to Telluride . | ||
"Butcher & Baker" not open - ended up at "Smoothies" | A bowl of their award winning chili for dinner. | ||
Returned to Lodge around 8:30 PM | A great adventure and a hell of day - am shot. | ||
10/13 - Tuesday. | |||
Up at 8:30 AM, got around and checked out of Lodge. | To "Butcher & Baker" for breakfast. | ||
2 hours walking both sides of main street Telluride. | In Art Gallery's, Bookstores, Shops of various kinds. | ||
Left Telluride via Last Dollar Road. | There is a classic Hugh Jacobson home along the way. | ||
Great fall color in the aspen. | Stopped along the way several times to shot. | ||
Noticed quite a few new houses near Last Dollar Ranch. | On to Ouray and "Box Canyon Lodge" - registered. | ||
Decided to try to get to Owl Creek Pass. | Stopped at Observation Point for Cimmaron Ridge. | ||
On to John Wayne Meadow and it got dark. | Ended day here and headed back to Ouray. | ||
Dinner at "Ouray Brewery" - very good. | Back to Lodging and finished evening looking at images. | ||
10/14 - Wednesday. | |||
Up at 7:00 AM - getting around and loaded gear. | To "Mouses" for coffee and breakfast sandwich on the go. | ||
To Ridgeway and found County Road 5. | Heading south up into a Mesa below the Sneffels Range. | ||
Still some great color in aspen. | Stopped along way several times for shots. | ||
This road gets very rough after entering National Forest. | Drove all the way to the end of this road. | ||
Returned to Ridgeway & stopped a few times for shots. | Stopped at "Cimarron Books & Coffee" - good place. | ||
Spent an hour checking out some of the shops in Ouray. | Decided to drive south on Hwy 550. | ||
Found road to Red Mountain Mining District off 550. | After dropping to creek road forks - we went uphill. | ||
Creek off color with copper colored powder on banks. | This was really nasty looking mess of a creek. | ||
Continued & stumbled upon the Yankee Girl Mine. | Stopped here a while & took some shots. | ||
Returned to Hwy 550 and checked out Idorado Mine. | Heading back north now to Ouray on Hwy 550 - its 5:00PM. | ||
Returned to Lodge & looking for places to eat online. | Decided on "Bon Ton Resturant" - turned out to be very fine. | ||
Back to Lodge after a good meal & relaxed a while. . | Finished the evening looking at shots taken during the day. | ||
10/15 - Thursday. | |||
Checked out of Lodge - will be a loose day. | Goal was to be in Farmington, NM by end of day. | ||
To "Artisan Bakery & Cafe" for breakfast in Ouray. | Good cup of coffee and brkfst sandwich - good place. | ||
Checked out an Art Gallery at south end of town. | Heading to Silverton south on Hwy 550 - no construction. | ||
Arrived Silverton, a unique Colorado Town. | The downtown has been kept as originally built mostly. | ||
Decided to scout trailhead for Old 100 Boarding House. | Drove north of Silverton along Animas River drainage. | ||
Found turn off to Old 100 Mine Tour. | Continuing past Mine Tour site to FS Road heading up. | ||
This gravel road gets steep & narrow as it climbs. | Went thru 6 tight switchbacks on the way to trailhead. | ||
Found trailhead at 11,800' and pulled into parking area. | This is quite a way up in this mountain and pretty cool. | ||
Walked the narrow trial just briefly. | This is a trail not heavily used. | ||
Heading down & six tight switchbacks on the downhill. | Two switchbacks required backups with nose over the edge. | ||
Back to Silverton & drove most of the town's streets. | Parked vehicle and walked the north side of the street. | ||
Checked the old Hotel Lobby. | Took a break in Coffes Shop in Hotel. | ||
Durango & Silverton Train pulled into town. | We walked a couple of blocks to train and checked it out. | ||
Left Silveton after filling up vehicle with gas. | Stopped at a pullout just north of Molas Pass. | ||
Another beautiful day in the low 70s. | To downtown Durango to buy new pair of boots. | ||
Blew a vibrum sole off boot on hike out of Lewis Mine. | Found "Brown's" shoe store & bought pair Lowa Boots. | ||
Checked out two art galleries in the area. | To "Chimayo" resturant for lunch - very cool place. | ||
New Mexico | Left Durango for Farmington, NM on Hwy 550. | Found motel in Farmington no problem and unpacked. | |
Decided to explore Farmington a bit. | Farmington is the largest town in this region. | ||
Ordered a pizza after buying a 6 pack at Safeway. | Spent evening looking a shots and prepping for tomorrow. | ||
10/16 - Friday. | |||
Up at 7:00 AM - wanted to get up at 5:00 AM | Trip fatique is setting in and we are just a bit tired. | ||
Plan was to get to Bisti Badlands in dark. | Hike a couple of miles in for sunrise. | ||
Decided to go to Three Kings or Alien Thone | Should be able to almost drive to either. | ||
To Coffee stand nearby & heading to Ahe she slip pah. | Steep climb just south of Farmington on Hwy 371. | ||
Tablelands south of Farmington are flat to rolling. | Off Hwy 371 south of Bisti and onto gravel/dirt roads | ||
Found turn off to 3 Kings and headed that way. | Took a crude two track that ties into route to 3 Kings | ||
3 Kings route disappears after dropping into drainage. | After long distance noticed what appeared to be the area. | ||
Started exploring area and it is pretty amazing. | This is known as The Valley of Dreams East | ||
Heavy clouds to the west approaching. | Right now though we have good clouds and sun. | ||
Basically trying to find 3 Kings and it did not take long. | The inspiration for The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore? | ||
We explored & took shots here for 45 minutes. | This is a hard to get to but very good place. | ||
Decided to head for "Alien Throne" with good light. | Backed out of 3 Kings area & followed 2 track. | ||
"Alien Throne" is in "Valley of Dreams West". | Drove 2 track - crossed drainage & stopped at ravine. | ||
2 track appeared to dead end into ravine - wild area. | Recrossed drainage because it was a bit interesting effort. | ||
Parked vehicle & set coordinates - started bushwacking. | This ground plane is called "the land that swallows people". | ||
There are hollowed out pockets with thin top crust. | You break thru the top crust and drop in - very un-good. | ||
Walked 3/4 to a mile thru sage brush to target. | As we walked the clouds moved in and blocked the sun. | ||
Arrived in obvious erroded area but it started to rain. | Stopped under an overhang - waited out the rain. | ||
Light rain maybe 15 minutes - but remained overcast. | We started exploring and this is a wild amazing area. | ||
Taking shots and freaking out at this crazy place. | Found "Alien Throne" and it's pretty tall. | ||
This is the most improbable rock I have ever seen. | It is hollowed out in almost lattice like form. | ||
We explored area for an hour plus. | Walked a circle around the area and back to orgin. | ||
Bushwacked back to vehicle & heading back. | Got confused in labryinth of 2 tracks for a bit. | ||
Finally back to main roads & returned to Farmington. | To "La Cabana" for late lunch early dinner - 2:30 PM. | ||
On to Shiprock for sunset hoping for break in clouds. | This is actually a pretty good drive from Farmington. | ||
1 1/2 hour drive to Shiprock from Farmington. | Arrived 30 minutes before sunset - no break in clouds. | ||
Back to Farmington & "Hometown Hamburgers". | Returned to motel & ate dinner - reviewing shots. | ||
Polished off evening by going to movie "Martian". | Turned in after midnight - hell of a day. | ||
10/17 - Saturday. | |||
Up late at 9:30 AM - checked out of motel. | Took vehicle to Jiffy Lube for oil change & radiater flush. | ||
To Starbucks across street for breakfast. | Picked up vehicle & decided to head for Santa Fe. | ||
Stopped at Angel Peak NRA to check out. | Drove a good distance off Hwy 550 to campground area. | ||
This is a pretty impressive badlands area | When the gas wells play out this will be a real draw. | ||
On to another badlands along Hwy 550. | Trying to find an overlook into the Lybrook Badlands. | ||
Drove several roads in area & did find an overlook. | Did not find the actual overlook but did find this juniper. | ||
Took Hwy 4 at San Yesidro to Jemez Pueblo. | Here at closing & great light - took shots. | ||
Drove past Valles Caldera National Preserve. | Drove into Los Alamos - stopped at gate - directed out. | ||
To Santa Fe in dark & to "El Ray" Route 66 motel. | To "Jinja Thai" for dinner after a long day. | ||
10/18 - Sunday. | |||
Up at 8:30 AM & explored "El Ray" grounds. | This is a classic Route 66 motel & one of the best. | ||
Sister motel in Albuquerque but was demolished. | Tracked down "Iconic Coffee" & headed that way. | ||
To "Iconic Coffee Roasters" for breakfast - very good. | A five person folk group playing at Iconic. | ||
To downtown and then on to Canyon Road. | Here going thru the multitude of art galleries. | ||
Back to a very crowded downtown to Starbucks. | Also looked at a couple of good photography galleries. | ||
Colorado | To Site Sante Fe and briefly checked this area out. | Left Sante Fe for Colby, KS. | |
Kansas | Arrived Colby, KS at 11:30 PM. | Turned in and another good day. | |
10/19 - Monday. | |||
Up at 7:45 AM - left motel at 8:30 AM | To Conoco and Starbucks in travel plaza. | ||
Kansas now has 75 mph speed limit. | Basically non-stop back to St. Louis metro. | ||
Missouri | Arrived back at around 5 PM and unloaded. | Spent rest of day/evening winding down. | |
Looked at the images taken over the last week. | Turned in at 11 PM - a great little trip. | ||
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
March 13, | 03/13 - Friday | ||
2015 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound to Kansas, City. | 7:30 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
March 15, | Non-stop to Independence, MO | Hotel (2) nights. | |
2015 | Arrived at just before 11 PM. | To "Saints" for food/beer after registering. | |
Pretty loud but the food was good. | Left "Saints" after Midnight - turned in at 1:00 AM. | ||
03/14 - Saturday | |||
Up late at 9:00 AM - I-70 to Downtown KC. | Found Kansas City River Market area | ||
Photo Trip | To "Quay Coffee" - crowded Saturday morning. | Here for 30 minutes - good place in rehabed bldg. | |
Drove to center of City Market & found parking. | Still hungary so we stopped at "Opera House". | ||
(2 days) | "Opera House"-huge menu-order at the window. | Laid back place-lots of space - here 30 minutes. | |
Walked to nearby Arabia Steamboat Museum. | Paid entry fee and waited 10 min for tour. | ||
Missouri | Followed Tour Guide and listened to his presentation. | Watched film of discovery and excavation of Arabia. | |
Road | An orginal finder/salvager stopped to talk after film . | The steamboat Arabia sank in Missouri River Sept. 5, 1856. | |
Trip | The boat was lost a few miles west of Kansas City. | The Arabia sank in 2 minutes with 220 tons of supplies. | |
Over time the Missouri River changed course. | The boat was buried under 45 ft of earth in a cornfield. | ||
The boat was rediscoverd on Nov 30, 1988. | The entire cargo was perserved due to lack of oxygen. | ||
A frantic effort to salvage the boat and artifacts began. | Over two months of non-stop effort saved 200 tons of cargo. | ||
Nov. 13, 1991 the Arabia Steamboat Museum opened. | Largest pre Civil War collection of artifacts in the world here. | ||
We visited this very good Museum almost four hours. | There are major pieces of the boat and 1000's of artifacts. | ||
Left Museum around 3:00 PM heading north on I-29. | Arrived Squaw Creek Wildlife Refugee at 4:30 PM plus. | ||
Squaw Creek | N.W.R. | Stopped at Visitor Center but it was closed. | Drove the Loop Road and there are a lot of birds. |
Birds, mostly White Snow Geese, setting on the lake. | It was a very comfortable day and we set up cameras. | ||
Birds moving some but mostly just setting. | Report indicated 600,000 plus Snow Geese. | ||
This many birds generate a good amount of noise. | Every so often a huge cloud of birds would shift locations. | ||
An hour after we arrived the birds started leaving. | We watched them leave for over an hour - quite a site. | ||
Heading back to Kansas City & Joes Kansas City BBQ. | It's approximately 100 miles from Squaw Creek NWR to KC. | ||
Siri does not know KC any better that we do. | We ended up in Olathe, Kansas in a strip mall. | ||
Apparently, Joe's now has several locations. | We planned to go to the original location in a gas station. | ||
There was a huge line and we joined the crowd. | You can order a beer while in line - nice after a long drive. | ||
Back to Independence, MO via I-435. | Decided to have nightcap in the Hotel lounge. | ||
A good day, Arabia Museum, 600,000 birds &BBQ . | Turned in at 11:30 PM - will return to Squaw Creek in AM. | ||
03/15 - Sunday. | |||
Up and around at 6:30 AM. | Breakfast at 7:00 AM & checked out of Hotel . | ||
To Squaw Creek NWR Visitor Center by 10:00 AM. | Refuge Bioligist estimated 900,000 Snow Geese yesterday. | ||
Back to same spot as yesterday to set up cameras. | Not many birds and not much happening. | ||
Around 11:30 AM the Snow Geese started returning. | Watched about 250,000 come back to lake. | ||
The north sky was filled with squadron after squadron. | They would drop down to 30' above lake & land single file. | ||
Left Squaw Creek NWR at around 1:30 PM. | Planned to go to Nelson Adkins Art Museum. | ||
To Nelson Adkins Art Museum around 3:30 PM. | Museum closes at 5 PM -Only 1 1/2 hours to visit. | ||
Visited the "Steven Hall" addition at first. | Outside - giant shuttlecock, glass labrinth, Chrome tree. | ||
Checked out the original building until they closed. | Impressive museum and site and needs a full day visit. | ||
Decided to find the original Joe's KC BBQ. | Found it but closed - a bit of a cross town drive. | ||
Stumbled upon Gates BBQ on way back to I-70. | Enjoyed a nice half rack of ribs at Gates BBQ. | ||
Back to I-70 and eastbound for St. Louis metro. | Arrived back at around 10 PM - great trip - very tired. | ||
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
November 25, | 11/25 - Tuesday | ||
2014 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound to Kansas, City. | 6:00 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
December 1, | Non-stop to Blue Ridge Mall , Independence, MO | Stopped for coffee, food and gas - 9:45 PM - about an hour. | |
2014 | Kansas | Passed under Kansas City Convention Center. | Entered Kansas around 10:45 PM |
On to Kansas Turnpike - $2.75 now. | Left Topeka, KS by Midnight. | ||
11/26 - Wednesday | |||
I-70 westbound in Kansas. | Stopped in Russell for gas and some snacks - 2:00 AM . | ||
Photo Trip | I-70 westbound in Kansas. | Stopped in Colby to top off as - getting cold - 3::40 AM | |
Colorado | Passed into Colorado - heavy icy snow | Eric learned how not to cross icy ruts on I-70. | |
(6 days) | We did a 360 - landed 90 degrees to I-70 - half in ditch. | Stopped in Burlington for a 3 hour break. | |
Continuing at daybreak - cold - I-70 not the best. | Over dozen vehicles in ditch - some rolled over. | ||
Utah | Stopped at Genoa to see the state of the Tower. | Took a few shots - See article on fate of Tower. | |
Photo | Stopped Limon to top off gas - very cold - windy. | Bought a quick breakfast at McDonalds - 8:30 AM. | |
Trip | On to downtown Denver - 16th Street Mall area. | Checked out Nolo Coffee Shop. | |
On to Frisco for lunch - 1:45 PM. | Lunch at Buchhorn Bakery. | ||
Stopped Glenwood Springs for gas - 2:15 PM. | Weather much better by now. | ||
Stopped in Rifle at Starbucks - 4:30 PM | Need a lot of coffee to keep going after an all night drive. | ||
Utah | Arrived Moab and checked into motel - 4 nights. | To Eddie McStiffs for late dinner - 8:00 PM | |
11/27 - Thursday. | Thanksgiving Day. | ||
Up & around late at 9:30 AM - catching up with sleep. | To Red Rock Backery for breakfast | ||
To Canyonlands - Island in the Sky District. . | Eventually located trail to False Kiva. scouting trip. | ||
Hiked the mile and a half plus or minus to False Kiva. | Light was not good but the trail and view as good as it gets. | ||
Trail is easy at first and becomes pretty rough. | Views as you approach canyon really dramatic. | ||
Trail drops around 600' and reclimbs 150' to False Kiva. | Notch in False Kiva points due South. | ||
This was just a scouting trip - did not stay long | Hike out is all uphill after first 150' drop. | ||
National Park does not provide trail info to False Kiva. | We will not provide trail info or GPS for False Kiva. | ||
Returned to Moab & to Zaks for Thanksgiving dinner. | Very good Thanksgiving special and much appreciated. | ||
Turned in early at 9:30 PM. | Plan is to get up early for near sunrise shooting.. | ||
11/28 - Friday | |||
Up before sunrise and got around. | Stopped at McD's at 6:30 AM. | ||
To Canyonlands - Island in the Sky District. | An hour drive and a crowd already at Mesa Arch. | ||
Hiked in fairly quickly since we knew the route . | Light much better but high cliffs blocking the early light. | ||
Alcove is huge and really requires 16mm lens. | Eric setting up on tripod to do some HDR shots. | ||
Hung around for two hours - very dramatic view. | Waiting for light to hit Candlestick Tower but never did. | ||
Only one other photographer - arrived as we left.. | Hiked out and to Visiters Center to pay entry fee. | ||
Drove back to Moab via Long Canyon Road. | This road is way more tame than the first time I drove in 2002. | ||
Back to Red Rock Bakery for lunch | Relaxed here for a solid hour. | ||
Left bakery for Arches National Park. | Stopped several times along the road into Park to take shots. | ||
Goal was to find 4WD road to Eye of the Whale Arch. | Found the route near Balanced Rock and headed that way. | ||
The road is sandy, deep ruts and some rock slabs . | Bottomed out once on a rock ledge climb. | ||
Arrived at Eye of the Whale Arch and hiked in. | Arch is pretty large with deep sandstone bowles both sides. | ||
Dozen high school aged guys taking a break in arch. | Slid down into sandstone bowl about 20 feet on west side. | ||
Sandy bottom & Pinyon Pines in shallow canyon. | An impressive place - Eye of Whale Arch is pretty dramatic. | ||
Stayed until shadows started overtaking narrow canyon. | Reclimbed up to arch from base of bowl and returned. | ||
Back to Moab and to Chinese Resturant for Dinner. | Returned motel after dinner - reviewed shots and turned in. | ||
11/29 - Saturday. | |||
Up early again - Coffee @ Starbucks in City Market. | To McD's for Egg McMuffin to go - back to Arches NP. | ||
Plan is to drive to Tower Arch area and find Arch. | Unpaved Road splits off main route past Fiery Furness area. | ||
Gravel/Sand Rd with some washboard. | Almost any car could navigate this route. | ||
Getting light as we approach parking area. | Got gear together, cleared pipes and off. - not another soul. | ||
Trail starts very steeply - almost a scamble 150'. | After climb - trail is moderatly flat to decending - easy. | ||
Drops gently into a sandy wash - sandstone all around. | Upclimb out of sandy wash into area of dense sandstone fins. | ||
Eventually, after 1 1/2 mile hike you arrive. | Tower Arch is simply massive - may be largest in Park. | ||
Tower Arch is surrounded by high sandstone fins. | Spent good amount of time here until light got strong. | ||
Hiked out - mostly up hill - 1 1/2 miles to trailhead. | Only two cars in parking lot including one just arrived. | ||
Back to Moab and good old Red Rock Bakery. | Late breakfast and took a little break here. | ||
Decided to go to Corona Arch. | To Hwy 279 - always a great drive along Colorado River. | ||
Hiked to view of Corona & Bow Tie Arches- crowded. | Back toward Moab to Poison Spider Mesa parking area. | ||
Hiked up the 4WD Road approx. 1 mile. | This road is seriously 4WD with huge steps - HC Jeeps only. | ||
Cut into a side canyon and climbed sandstone domes. | Good views from top of domes to BTR Wilderness Area. | ||
Hung around till almost dark exploring | Hiked out in dark listening to jeeps scarpe bottom along way. | ||
Back to Moab and decided to try Blue Pig BBQ. | I would say it's just OK - spoiled by great BBQ in St. Louis . | ||
11/30 - Sunday. | |||
Up at 8 AM - cleaned up - checked out. | To Red Rock Bakery for breakfast - great place. | ||
Stopped at Tom Till's Gallery - went digital in 2009/10. | To Back of Beyond Bookstore - bought a few items. | ||
Left Moab via Scenic Hwy 128 - always a great drive. | Rancher is tearing out cool wood fences for wire along 128. | ||
Colorado | Stopped Glenwood Springs - found west exit Starbucks. | Now know location of all Starbucks from St. Louis to Moab. | |
Traffic very heavy on I-70 eastbound from Vail. | Arrived Colby, KS around 9:30 AM.- motel (1) night | ||
Kansas | 12/1 - Monday. | ||
Up at 715 AM - checked out - 7 degrees F this morning. | Coffee at Starbucks afterr getting gas & McDs to go. | ||
Decided to revisit an abandoned farmstead. | Found site - buildings the same as several years ago. | ||
Missouri | Arrived back in St. Louis around 6:45 PM | Cleaned vehicle, relaxed & looked at images rest of evening. | |
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
May 11, | 5/11 - Friday | ||
2012 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound to Kansas, City. | 7:10 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
May 20, | Kansas | Kansas Turnpike | Arrived Topeka, KS at 11:30PM. (Motel 1 nite) |
2012 | 5/12- Saturday | ||
I-70 westbound in Kansas | Up at 7:00AM - Left Topeka, KS by 7:30AM. | ||
Colorado | I-70 westbound in Colorado | A quick break at Grizzly Creek Rest Area. | |
Utah | I-70 westbound in Utah. | Arrived Hanksville, UT at 9:30 PM MST. (Motel 2 nites) | |
Photo Trip | 5/13 - Sunday | ||
(10 days) | Up at 7:00 AM - quick brkst in room. | Drove to "The Notch" 5 miles north on Hwy 24. | |
Hiked thru sand uphill to the caprock on east side. | Mules Ears in bloom in the cracks between cap rock. | ||
Utah | This area for an hour and hiked back to Hwy 24. | Drove 30 miles to San Rafael Reef off Temple Mtn Rd. | |
Photo | Found parking area for Wild Horse Window hike. | Hiked a little over a mile up Navajo Sandstone into drainage. | |
Trip | This area for an hour & hiked back to vehicle. | Drove back to Hanksville, UT for late brkfst at 11:30 AM. | |
Back to Motel for a break and to re-organize. | After fill-up at Shell Station headed for Factory Butte. | ||
Hwy 24 to Coal Mine Rd to back road. | Drove this backroad to north of Factory Butte. | ||
Continued on back road to Cathedral Rd. | Cathedral Rd provides access to Cathedral Valley in CRNP. | ||
Cathedral Rd traverses the Bentonite Hills. | Stopped to shot Temple of Sun & Moon. | ||
Continued on Cathedral Rd to North Cathedral area. | Drove this road up switchbacks to North Cathedral overlook. | ||
Checked out campground & continued right at junction. | Drove Forest Service Rds to Geyser Peak and on to Hwy 72. | ||
Stopped at first open restuarant - Cafe Diablo. | Cafe Diablo - way more than a Mexican joint. (Zagat rated) | ||
Returned 50 miles to Hanksville via Hwy 24. | Relaxed at Motel and turned in for evening. | ||
5/14 - Monday | |||
Up around 8 AM and to Blondies for breakfast. | Checked out of Whispering Sands motel & on to Escalante. | ||
Could not resist driving Notom Bulfrog to Burr Trail. | Great morning light on Capital Reef from the road. | ||
This is a long drive, a bit tiring, but very scenic. | Gravel on Burr Trail has become very bad washboard. | ||
Continued on Hwy 12 from Boulder, UT | Arrived Escalante at 2 PM & checked into Circle D motel. | ||
To GSENM visitor center for info on Escal Volcano. | Staff at visitor encouraging but would not pinpoint location. | ||
Bought USGS quad at Escalante Outfitters | Hwy 12 north to Hole in the Rocks Road. | ||
Graveled road that has become very bad washboard. | If your intent is to pave a back road just gravel it until ruined. | ||
Hydroplained this mess for 16 miles to Harris Wash Rd. | Harris Wash Rd. is a dirt road and much better. | ||
Stopped at trailhead and filled in register. | Road not blocked so we continued on the 4WD section. | ||
Drove 3+ miles on this two track that gets very sandy. | Stopped where road is blocked by a deep sand drift. | ||
This is a bad place to start an effort to find Volcano. | In a hole to the north, south and west but open to the east. | ||
4PM and in the high 90's and no air in this hole. | Got gear & lots of water then climbed nearby 150' dome. | ||
Made a cairn and hiked to the next 300' high dome. | Could not see anything the would give a clue. | ||
Dropped into a massive sandstone bowl. | Climbed another 350' high sandstone dome toward the north. | ||
Brutally hot and lucky we found shade under a knob. | Took a break in shade of knob and cooled down. | ||
Continued to the north and turned east to skirt the dome. | Continued east and found the Escal Volcano in a deep hole. | ||
This thing is big & the sand is a deep beautiful orange. | Took several shots and downclimbed into the bottom. | ||
Guessing hole is 200' in diameter - shear walls 3 sides. | Moque steps cut in north - a bit hairy going down but OK up. | ||
Hung around in the bottom a while - took a few shots. | Eric climbed the central pillar - I did not. | ||
Returned to vehicle a different and closer route. | This was seriously very good and will not provide the route. | ||
Everybody should find this on their own . | If you want to have a great little adventure - go for it. | ||
Warning: If you hike in from Harris Wash it's a long do. | 8+ mile round trip & 1/3 of it walking in deep sand. | ||
Drove back to trailhead register and filled in time out. | Harris Wash Rd to hellatious Hole in Rock Road. | ||
Hydroplaning washboard is hard on the vehicle. | Back to Escalante and to Circle D restaurant - very good. | ||
5/15 - Tuesday | |||
Up at 7:30 AM and checked out of Circle D | Nothing open in Escalante so we headed toward Zion N.P. | ||
Hwy 12 to Hwy 89 to SR 9 to Zion N.P. | Arrived South Campground 10:30 AM | ||
Campground was 95% full - found a site - paid 4 nites | After setting up tents we drove to Springdale for lunch. | ||
Lunch at Whiptale Grille - burito - very good. | To Zion NP Visitors Center - wilderness permits. | ||
Picked up permit to Hike Subway - top to bottom. | Hwy 9 to Kolab Terrace Rd to check out Subway trailheads. | ||
Checked out the Left Fork Trailhead - hiked in 1/4 mi. | Drove to Wilcat Canyon trailhead - 2000 feet road climb. | ||
Hiked to point Subway trail splits from N. Peak Trail. | Scoping out route so we don't waste time being confused. | ||
Back to Springdale - scheduled lift to Wildcat Canyon | Drop vehicle at Left Fork - catch lift to Wildcat Canyon. | ||
To grocery store and bought Builder Bars, Gorp & etc. | To Thai restuarant for dinner. (very good) | ||
To Wildcat Willies - they have draft beer. | Back to camp & spent time getting gear ready - turned in. | ||
5/16 - Wednesday | |||
Up at 6:AM - loaded gear and to Cafe Soliel for brkfst. | To Zion Adventures to follow van to Left Fork Trailhead. | ||
Dropped our vehicle at Left Fork Trailhead. | Van dropped us & gear off at Wildcat Canyon Trailhead. | ||
Cleared pipes, put on gear and hit the trail at 8 AM. | Fast progress to Slickrock thru forested mesa top. | ||
After reaching slickrock trail drops steeply for 2 miles. | Great trail - you need to watch the cairns - they are there. | ||
Stopped after short climb next to huge knobs for break. | Trail drops into large sandstone bowl & then back into trees. | ||
The drop into North Creek is very steep in a drainage. | Took a break at first pool - boots off - water shoes on | ||
In North Creek and to first obstacle. Huge boulders. | Downclimbed boulder & jumped - 5+ foot drop into water. | ||
Continuing on thru several more water obstacles. | The backpacks float - no problem - have dry bags inside. | ||
Reached the bowling ball obstacle. blocked underneath. | Two large diameter limbs jambed under bowling balls. | ||
Decided to back out and flank above on left side. | Returned thru two water obstacles to ledge 20' above creek. | ||
Crossing wet ledge w/backpack was seriously hairy. | Slide off & you drop 20' into a narrow solid rock slot. | ||
Trail traverses & climbs past bowling ball alley. | Downclimbed deep crack 50' against cliff & back to creek. | ||
Continuing on thru more water obstacles. | Droped on an existing handline into a very cool grotto. | ||
Water was waste deep w/ alcoves carved both sides. | A window has been eroded from one alcove to the next. | ||
Exiting this obstacle lands you in the Upper Subway. | Massive 180 degree sweeping rock undercut. very good. | ||
Took shots at famous tree and moved into huge room. | Passing thru outdoor room leads to the rappel point. | ||
Threaded rope and dropped down to Lower Subway. | There was no light in Lower Subway by now - 4:45 PM. | ||
This area is all pretty dramatic. deep pools of water. | Hiked out of Subway onto a wide rock slab w/ cascades. | ||
The cascades continue for about a quarter mile. | Exited cascades at 5:30 PM and put boots back on. | ||
Next 3 miles is hard route thru a boulder choked stream. | Cross stream 2 dozen times - a serious obstacle course. | ||
750' climb out of drainage is exposed to sun & steep. | Trail goes straight up in small switchbacks on loose gravel. | ||
Arrived back at vehicle at 9 PM just as getting dark. | Great adventure - a serious hike - better be in some shape. | ||
Back to Springdale & Wildcat Willies was open. | Ordered Wildcat Willies famous meatloaf - very good. | ||
Back to South Campground in Zion National Park. | After a couple good draft beers at Willies am ready to crash. | ||
5/17 - Thursday | |||
Up later at 9 AM to Cafe Soleil for coffee. | To Zion Canyoneering to take Showers - $5.00 per person. | ||
Later returned to Wildcat Willies for a bigger breakfast. | To Zion NP backcountry office to inform of logjam. | ||
They knew about bowling alley logjam and had photos. | Their photos only show one log jambed under rock. | ||
There are now two logs jambed under rock. | Next time I will ask about problem areas. | ||
When permits issued conditons are not always reviewed. | Looked thru Zion Visitor Center Bookstore. | ||
Explored a few of the stores around Springdale. | Had lunch at Cafe Soleil - a good place in a good location. | ||
Drove thru Mt. Carmel Tunnel east bound. | Hwy 9 to Hwy 89 north to Hwy 14 west. | ||
This route to Cedar Breaks National Monument. | Only open in summer and approx. 85 mile drive from Zion. | ||
Hoping for some good sun in late afternoon but cloudy. | Visited the main overlook & one other - very cold &windy. | ||
Park not officially open at this time - over 10,000 feet. | This park needs more time & a visit to the bristlecones. | ||
Returned to Zion NP & stopped to shoot at sunset. | To Bit & Spur for dinner to celebrate surviving Subway. | ||
5/18 - Friday | |||
Up later again and back to Cafe Soleil for late brkfst. | Back to Visitors Center to take Shuttle to the Narrows | ||
Walked paved trail at Narrows to it's end point - 1 mile. | Felt good so we decided to wade into creek & hike a while. | ||
Walked in around 1 1/2 miles and returned. | Water was mostly knee deep - some waist deep. | ||
Back to Vistors Center on Shuttle bus. | This little Narrows visit took around 4 to 5 hours. | ||
Back to Wildcat Willies for a late lunch/early dinner. | Stopped at a photographers studio, David West, for a while. | ||
Photographer has best dog photo I have ever seen. | The dog hangs out in studio. Image is named "Zion Dog" | ||
Back to South Campground & Eric had to boulder. | Boulders across road from campground were calling. | ||
Walked uphill to boulders & Eric worked on a route. | After several attempts he was satisfied & we walked back. | ||
Started getting organized some for trip back. | Rehashed our Subway adventure a while and turned in. | ||
5/19 -Saturday | |||
Up at 7:00 AM - cleared pipes and broke camp. | To Cafe Soleil for good breakfast. | ||
Hwy 9 west thru Springdale to I-15 North. | This route back to I-70 eastbound - an hour & half maybe. | ||
I-70 eastbound - stopped briefly at Salt Creek overlook. | Continuing on with goal of Colby, KS for night. | ||
Colorado | Dinner was to go at Wendy's in Limon after getting gas. | Arrived Colby, KS at 10:30 PM (motel 1 nite) | |
5/20 - Sunday | |||
Kansas | Up at 7:00 AM - free breakfast in motel. | Coffee at Starbucks for trip after getting gas. | |
Stopped in Abeline, KS for gas. | Drove to Old Abeline to check out. | ||
Missouri | Arrived back in St. Louis around 9:30 PM | Cleaned vehicle and turned in after a break. | |
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
November 23, | 11/23 - Wednesday | ||
2011 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound to Kansas, City. | 6:45 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
November 29, | Kansas | Kansas Turnpike | Stopped at Topeka, KS at 11:30PM for gas. |
2011 | 11/24 - Thuursday | ||
I-70 westbound in Kansas | Colorado state line approx 2:50 AM - MST. | ||
Colorado | I-70 westbound in Colorado | Took a break in Burlington, CO from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM. | |
I-70 to Limon, CO. | Stopped for gas and a quick breakfast. | ||
Photo Trip | Hwy 24 to downtown Colorado Springs, CO. | Stopped along the way at sunrise to shoot windmill. | |
(7 days) | New Mexico | I-25 South to Hwy 64 Exit 451 & Raton, NM. | Stopped for early lunch and to find Johnson Mesa 10:30 AM. |
Hwy 64 west to Hwy 82 north to Hwy 72 east. | This route thru downtown Raton to access Johnson Mesa. | ||
New Mexico, | Hwy 72 thru East Fork Canyon to Johnson Mesa. | Stopped at an abandoned farmstead. | |
Northern | Hwy 72 east to Folsom, NM - a scenic drive. | Stopped at the Folsom Hotel & old town ruins. | |
Arizona, | Hwy 325 to Capulin Volcano Nat. Mon. | Park closed but took shots of sunset from the area. | |
Utah Photo | Back to Raton on Hwy 64 & motel (1 nite) | Late night Thankgiving Dinner at Denny's - oh yea. | |
Trip | 11/25 - Friday | ||
Up early for sunrise but completely overcast. | Drove Hwy 64 east to the Raton Volcanic Field. | ||
Back roads in the volcanic field for many miles. | Found old abandoned barn. (beautiful rolling wide open area) | ||
Back to Raton - great brkfst at Raton Best Western | Checked out & on to Tent Rocks National Monument. | ||
I-25 South to Hwy 16 Exit 264 to Hwy 22 to IR 92 | This route to Tent Rocks Nat Mon. | ||
Hung around for an hour plus - very good place. | Left at 1:30 PM for Cabazon Peak area. | ||
Back to I-25 south via Hwy 22 to Hwy 550 west | Hwy 550 west to SR 279 to backroads around Cabezon. | ||
Arrived near sunset & had good light for 45 min. | Drove out of Cabazon Peak area after sunset. | ||
Back to Hwy 550 to Farmington, NM - motel (1 nite) | Explored Farmington - good dinner at Boon Thai Restaurant. | ||
11/26 - Saturday | |||
Up early for sunrise at Shiprock - 45 mile drive. | Drove Hwy 64 to Hwy 491 to Red Rock Hwy. | ||
Arrived as good morning light was hitting Shiprock. | This area for two hours. Also drove over lava dyke. | ||
Back to Shiprock, NM for breakfast. | Took a break here for 45 minutes - no lodging in area. | ||
Arizona | Left Shiprock for Canyon de Chelly Nat. Mon. | Hwy 64 to Hwy 160 to Hwy 191. | |
Took backroads to find Los Gigantes Buttes. | IR 8008 to IR 8009 and then you are on your own. | ||
After a couple of wrong turns we finally arrived. | Los Gigantes Buttes similar to the Mittens but more blocky. | ||
This is a very beautiful and unspoiled area. | Navajo Nation in general is a very good steward of the land. | ||
Drove out via series of roads into Round Rock, AZ | Would like to come back sometime with good light. | ||
Back to Hwy 191 South thru Many Farms to IR 7. | This route to Canyon de Chelly National Monument. | ||
Checked into Motel near the park. | To Junction Restuarant for a very good late lunch. | ||
On to Visitors Center at Canyon de Chelly. | No entry fee -a Navajo Guide required to travel canyon floor. | ||
IR 7 (South Rim Hwy) to White House Ruin Overlook. | Here for 30+ min - some light but not great - approx 3 PM. | ||
Did not have time to walk down trail to Runis. | White House Ruin - only site that can be visidted w/o Guide. | ||
Drove to Spider Rock to check out light conditions. | Light at the top of the rock but 90% in shadow at this time. | ||
Returned to motel and crashed - a bit of trip fatique. | Researching where to go for morning light. | ||
11/27- Sunday | |||
Up early to check out Antelpe Canyon Ruin. | Light not yet down onto ruins by 8:00 AM so we left. | ||
Utah | Returned to motel & checked out. | On to Bluff, UT via Hwy 191. | |
Continuing north from Bluff to Hwy 95. | Hwy 95 thru Comb Ridge grade cut to Mule Canyon Ruins. | ||
Found trailhead, filled out form & paid access fee. | Hiked one mile up canyon along dry stream bed to ruins. | ||
Arrived right at 11:30 AM and the light was perfect. | Underside of overhanging alcove lights up. | ||
Spent 30 minuites shooting House on Fire ruin. | Explored the area for another 30 minutes plus. | ||
Hiked back to trailhead and onto Hwy 95 westbound. | Hwy 95 to Hwy 275 to Natural Bridges National Monument. | ||
Stopped at Visitor Center to pay entry fee. | Plan was to check out Sipapu Natural Bridge | ||
Drove paved loop road to Sipapu Overlooks. | Located trail down to base of Sipapu. (600 ft downclimb) | ||
Hiked down trail - very cool - some steel stairs - steep. | Decends to a massive rock shelf with massive overhang. | ||
Hike continues down to White Canyon drainage. | Trail is a series of wooden ladders and switchbacks. | ||
Sipapu Natural Bridge is the second largest in world | Spent maybe an hour at base of Sipapu - very good. | ||
Hiked back up to trailhead and returned to Hwy 95. | Plan was to drive Comb Ridge dugway to top at sunset. | ||
Found dirt road north into Comb Wash. | Crossed a pretty deep pool at creek crossing. | ||
Started dugway but was more rought than previous. | Halfway up we thought the road looked washed out ahead. | ||
Found a space wide enough to turn around & wow. | Did my best Austin Powers or go over cliff. | ||
Drove fast to Hwy 95 grade cut for a shot at sunset. | We had some good light for 5 minutes on Comb Reef. | ||
Took Hwy 95 east to Hwy 191 and north to Moab. | Arrived Moab around 8PM and to Eddie McStiffs. | ||
Checked into Canyanlands Best Western. | Good value off season and tired from a good day. | ||
11/28- Monday | |||
Up at 6:30AM for sunrise at Aches National Park. | Drove to Fiery Furness area - around 20 miles. | ||
Don't have a permit to enter so we hung around edges. | On to Skyline Arch and hiked trail to arch. | ||
Drove thru campground and explored this area. | Some brave souls camped out here on a very cold evening. | ||
Colorado | Back to Moab for breakfast and check out. | Hwy 191 to Hwy 128 to I-70 Eastbound. | |
Kansas | Drove I-70 East to Colby, KS (motel 1 nite.) | Left Moab 10 AM MST - turned in at Colby 10 PM EST. | |
11/29- Tuesday | |||
Missouri | Up later at 8 AM - brkfst at Village Inn - checked out. | I-70 all the way back to St. Louis - arrived 7:30 PM. | |
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
October 13, | 10/13 - Thursday | ||
2011 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound to Kansas, City. | 7:30 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
October 17, | Kansas | Kansas Turnpike | Approaching Topeka, KS at midnight. |
2011 | 10/14 - Friday | ||
I-70 westbound in Kansas | Colorado state line approx 4:15 AM. | ||
Colorado | I-70 westbound in Colorado | Took a break in Burlington, CO from 4:30 AM to 6:00 AM. | |
I-70 to Exit 336 west of Limon, CO. | Stopped to shoot Cottonwood trees in full fall color. | ||
Photo Trip | I-70 to Exit 274 & Denver, CO. | This route to northbound I-25. (We missed I-270 cutoff) | |
Hwy 36 to Lyon and on to Estes Park, CO | Not a straight section of road between Lyon and Estes. | ||
RMNP | Continued thru Estes Park to Byrnwood Lodge (3 nites) | Arrived at 10:30 AM & were able to take room & short rest. | |
Photo | Hwy 36 to RMNP to Bear Lake Rd & Sprague Lake. | Scoping Sprague Lake for a sunrise shot Sunday. | |
Trip | Bear Lake Rd to Bear Lake. | Scoping Bear Lake for a sunrise shot tommorrow. | |
Back to Byrnwood Lodge for a break. | The glazed over feeling from 2 hrs of sleep takes its toll. | ||
To downtown Estes Park for dinner & to look around. | Estes Park is not so crowded in October. | ||
Back to Brynwood and spent evening taking it easy. | Watched the playoffs - Cardinals vs Brewers. | ||
10/15 - Saturday | |||
Up 6:30 AM & instant coffee & a pecan roll. | Hwy 36 to RMNP to Bear Lake Rd to Bear Lake. | ||
Hiked to our scoped out location and waited for the sun. | Low clouds to the east prevented a first light shot. | ||
Camped in a this talus field of boulders for a while. | Some decent light hit Hallett Peak but not both lake & peak. | ||
Back to Estes Park for a real breakfast. | To Bighorn Restaurant and thier famous waffles. | ||
Returned to RMNP to shoot some great fall color. | Aspen along Bear Lake Rd were in prime fall color. | ||
Trail Ridge Rd reopened so we headed that way. | Stopped along the route a few times to the high point. | ||
Spent some time at the Rock Cut. | Very dramatic views of Longs Peak from here. | ||
Back to Hwy 36 from Trail Ridge Rd to Estes Park. | Drove to Hwy 7 and Lily Lake & on to Meeker. | ||
Lookng for a sunset shot from Hwy 7 to the east. | Shot The Crags from Lily Lake & found Baldpate Inn. | ||
To Longs Peak Ranger station. | Shot Twin Sisters and found a few aspen in good color. | ||
Back to Estes Park on Hwy 7 to find dinner. | Stopped at photo gallery "RMNP Images" on the way. | ||
Back to Bynwood after dinner at Claires. | Watched the American League playoff game. | ||
10/16 - Sunday | |||
Up at 6:30 AM and on to Sprague Lake for sunrise. | Walked halfway around lake for a view to Hallet's Peak. | ||
Heavy cloud cover to the east again. | This location for an hour until good light was gone. | ||
Back to Bear Lake Rd, Estes & breakfast at Egg & I. | Decided to hike to Mills Lake and shoot Alberta Falls on way. | ||
Returned to Bear Lake Rd & Glacier Gorge parking lot. | Waited 15 min. for a parking space to open. | ||
Gear together and off to Alberta Falls. | Stopped here briefly - not the best light. | ||
Continued up trail to Glacier Gorge and The Loch split. | Took left fork to Mills Lake. (range of 3 1/2 mi. from parking) | ||
Arrived Mills Lake just as heavy gray clouds move in. | Took a long break at lake shore near the outflow. | ||
Hiked back to parking lot at a fast pace nonstop. | Back to Estes Park for lunch. Hike to Mills Lake took effort. | ||
Returned to Trail Ridge Rd for a sunset shot. | Road open but sporadic snow and very cold on top. | ||
To the Rock Cut in the freezing wind until after sunset. | Last vehicle off Trail Ridge Rd maybe for the season. | ||
Back to Estes Park for dinner at Claire's again. | Retuned to Byrnwood and watched MLB Playoffs. | ||
10/16 - Monday | |||
Up at 6:30 AM for long drive back to St. Louis. | Checked out and to Starbuck Estes Park for coffee. | ||
Hwy 36 to Lyons to Hwy 66 to I-25 south. | I-25 On ramp 243 to E-470 On ramp 228 | ||
Colorado | Took E-470 Tollway. No toll booths-tracked by camera. | E-470 saved good amount of time but cost $9.00. | |
Missouri | I-70 eastbound all day into evening. | Returned to St. Louis 10:30 PM. (good trip-great fall color) | |
Date |
States |
General Route |
General Description |
---|---|---|---|
November 24, | 11/24 | ||
2010 thru | Missouri | I-270/I-64/I-70 St Louis area westbound to Kansas, City. | 3:00 PM start from St. Louis, MO. |
November 28, | Kansas | I-70 westbound in Kansas | Salina, KS for a quick meal at 10:45 PM. |
2010 | I-70 - Salina, KS to Hayes, KS | Found Walker Air Base around 12:30 AM | |
11/25 | |||
I-70 - Denver, CO (High wind warnings) | Approaching Denver Metro 4:00 AM | ||
Colorado | I-70 to Exit 232 & Idaho Springs, CO. | Another quick meal at 6:00 AM | |
Photo Trip | I-70 to Exit 167 & Avon, CO. | Took photos along the Eagle River. (Seriously cold) | |
(4 days) | I-70 to just past Glenwood Springs, CO. | Took photos along the Colorado River. | |
I-70 to Exit 49 to Hwy 65 & Grand Mesa Scenic Byway | Drove up and over snow covered Grand Mesa | ||
Utah | Hwy 65 to 92 to 50 through Delta, CO | This route to Grand Junction, CO and back to I-70. | |
Photo | Utah | I-70 to Exit 202 and Hwy 128 Scenic Byway | Stopped at what's left of the Dewey Bridge. |
Trip | Hwy 128 to Hwy 191 to Moab, UT | Always impressive drive to Moab, UT. | |
Located a Motel in south end of Moab (2 nites). | Extremely cold and some wind in Moab. | ||
Drove to Sand Flats area at sunset. | Not much time but trying to find a good shot. | ||
Back to Moab & Chinese for Thanksgiving dinner. | Lucky to find a good restuarant open Thanksgiving Day. | ||
11/26 | |||
Up 5:45 AM and a quick grab at breakfast buffet. | Hwy 191 south to Hwy 211 to CNP-Needles District. | ||
Stopped at Visitors Center to pay entry fee. | Drove to Chesler Park Trailhead parking by 7:45 AM. | ||
Started hike to Chesler Park at just before 8 AM. | No wind but fairly cold & only three cars in lot. | ||
Trail climbs briefly then traverses rock slabs. | At 1 1/2 miles trail passes between sandstone pinnacles. | ||
At 2 1/2 miles trail descends thru a crack into a drainage. | At 2 3/4 miles trail approaches Chesler Park. | ||
At 3 miles trail climbs to enter Chesler Park. | Took lunch break at first trail junction in park. | ||
Another 2 miles thru Chesler Park to the Joint Trail. | Chesler Park Loop Trail skirts perimeter | ||
Trail passes thru the parks center pinnacles. | Joint Trail follows a crack system between rocks. | ||
Hiked thru cracks 1/4 mile till Trail exits sandstone. | Returned back thru cracks & took a break. | ||
Starting to feel the hike & 5+ miles to return. | Sun dropped below horizon as we exited Chesler Park. | ||
Hiked out last 2 3/4 miles in dark on mostly rock. | The last mile was a bit painful on the knees. | ||
Back to Trailhead at just after 7 PM. | Chesler Park & Joint Trail - as good as gets. | ||
Drove 1 1/2 hours back to Moab - 8:45 PM. | Off season after 9 PM not much open in Moab. | ||
McDs and a six pack from City Market for dinner. | Feel like beatten half to death but hike was great. | ||
11/27 | |||
Slept in till 11 AM & checked out by 12:30 PM. | To Smithy's for breakfast. | ||
Stopped at Visitors center in Moab. | Bought USGS topo of Chessler Park. | ||
Hwy 191 to Hwy 128 along Colorado River to Hwy 6. | This route back to I-70 eastbound. | ||
Colorado | Stopped along the way several times for coffee. | Took is somewhat easy on the way back. | |
Continued eastbound to Burlington, CO by 11 PM | Motel (1) night | ||
11/28 | |||
Up at 6:30 AM and quick breakfast in lounge. | On the road by 7:30 AM - eastbound I-70. | ||
Kansas | Returned to the decommissoned Walker Air Base. | Site is just off I-70 east of Hays, Kansas. | |
Spent an hour here taking photos. | The base is now private property. | ||
Missouri | Back to I-70 eastbound and returning to St. Louis. | Arrived St. Louis Metro around 9 PM. | |