Mancation-A Loose Plan to Exploring SOME of Utah's Treasures

[mph]

Each May, my wife and daughter go to Florida to visit my wife's mother. I can't go due to work. Now, don't get me wrong about Naples, Florida. It sounds nice. But, two weeks off with no commitments, no schedule? Are you kidding me? I think any family man could relate. The first weekend, I escaped down to the San Rafael Swell to do some biking with a friend. My second weekend involved my good friend, Shane, and 4 days to explore, hike, photograph, and play in Utah's wild. Shane is always out in the wild shooting film. However, I can usually steer him up from his home state of Arizona to visit the wilds of Utah.

The Mancation started with a real loose plan. "How about we meet south of Hanksville?", Shane asked.
"Sounds good!", I replied. Shane, www.shaneknight.com, wanted to photograph some crazy rock formations. I loaded the cruiser with camping, hiking, and canyoneering items. I was off to play. The weather looked stellar. Highs in the mid 60s to 70. The weather turned nasty in Park City as I drove south and looked forward to doing whatever, whenever...

The plan turned into an awesome reality. Here's the proof...Enjoy!
(some photos courtesy of Shane Knight)

The morning sun rose and it was glorious...Shane was out shooting. Sunrise shots...Time to go find him...



Shane shoots an 8 x 10...How much per shot I asked? $30 he replied...Ahhh...I guess I will stick with digital for now



Shane having fun with my digital camera...



Off to hike some slots...The colors were glorious.



All the slots were narrow, of course, and bone dry...



A nice canyon stroll approaching and departing the darker slots..





The road led us south...When I see the red dirt, I know the road will be good...Usually not washboarded and growing junipers and pinon pines...





The road and hike showed itself...The view was killer!



Day 1 ended...More to come!

 

[mph]

Day Two...

Day 2 started out on the Mesa...The day's objective was to find signs of the past. Hike for ruins and rockart. Not a bad way to spend the day...


Gotta love Utah! Yes, the road continued under the highway. It was crazy to see mud streaks on the top of the culvert. Luckily, no flash flood today...smooth sailing.



Views galore...it was good to be back on the Mesa.



Gaining altitude, we soon were cruising through a large ponderosa pine forest.



Shane entering the site...Hard to believe that the Ancient Ones used the same route during the years 1230-1280...



Big views!



This was a spot that got my attention! Slip here...you die...No exaggeration! It was 400 feet down!



Shane working...



Always like looking at the black entryways...majestic? spooky?



I continued to search the site for a rock art panel. There were 45 rooms here...There had to be one...found it! It was old, faded, but nice...Do you see the Bear Paw?



Always wondered what the BLM was doing by chaining acres of junipers and pinon pines...Trying to let the natural grasses grow back. This chaining and grassing was done in 1953. It was gorgeous! Lush, green, and tall grasses growing everywhere!

 

[mph]

Day 3...

Day 2 ended with the sunset view of the Comb Ridge. The red walls of this 100 rock uplift just glow when the sun is in the western sky.



This ruin caught our eye on Day 3. It was a gorgeous granary. One of the nicest I have seen...Tried Black and White...



We found a great treasure...A mano that ground corn 800 years ago. We left it in place...Hopefully, the outdoor museum continues.



I have never seen this...It appears that it was a door once and then they remodel to make it a complete wall. Who knew that they believed and practice home improvements!! Very unique!






Slickrock and big views...A great camping spot!



The road out with the Bear's Ears peaking in the distance...



Exploring the slickrock shadows in the evening hours...



Cottonwoods in full...



I slept well on my cot this evening...A full day on tap tomorrow before pointing the cruiser north and home...

 

[mph]

Day 4-The Turn to Home...

The fourth and final day put me back at a spot to explore some slots...The weather was perfect.


Grab the backpack and camera and explore...Mother Nature at work.




Molly's Castle in the distance...Sun, Upper 60's...A good desert ramble. What might I find?



Getting more interesting...Still Looking...



This spot grabbed my attention. It was a black hole. What lies below? A 90 foot rappel game me the answer. Spooky, dark, and beautiful.



My way out...Follow the light!



Out in the sun...The Sego Lillys were blooming!



It was time to head north...Time to head home...Time to clean the house! My wife was coming back home. Oh boy!
Game over!

Until next time...

 

[Topgun514]

mph, this is amazing. All of your shots are great. I was wondering if you could PM some of these destinations if they are not too secret. I always do 3 night trips and yours are so inspiring!

Maybe we could do a one for one and I'd divulge Escalante/ GSENM sites.

 

[WAND3R3R]

MPH, Thanks for sharing, looks like you had a great adventure!
-AK

 

[mkitchen]

That was neat, thanks!

Enjoyed the tour. Mighty fine looking country to be travelling in. Me thinks the wife missed out when she went to Florida. Your friend's camera looks a bit heavy, bet it puts out a great picture.
Mikey

 

[mph]

Yeah...my wife missed out. She has been to many of theses places before though...it was fun to text her where I was and she would say, "oh yeah!" The weather lucked out for us...it was in mid 90s in Florida. And yes, Shane's camera is heavy!

Enjoyed the tour. Mighty fine looking country to be travelling in. Me thinks the wife missed out when she went to Florida. Your friend's camera looks a bit heavy, bet it puts out a great picture.
Mikey

 

[mph]

Thanks for the kind words. Be in touch!

mph, this is amazing. All of your shots are great. I was wondering if you could PM some of these destinations if they are not too secret. I always do 3 night trips and yours are so inspiring!

Maybe we could do a one for one and I'd divulge Escalante/ GSENM sites.

 

[Idratherbecamping]

I was actually wondering the same. I would love to know where these are at for a nice 3-4 day trip. Hopefully they aren't too secret!

 

[WU7X]

Stunning photography and excellent writeup. Thanks for sharing. Don't tell anyone where your sites are. Finding them for yourself is half the fun!

Please put up some more of this stuff. It just gets me more pumped up to get back there and do some real canyon hiking.