Capitol Reef Friday
The day started with a beautiful sunrise over the eastern mountains. Or breakfast duty, as was the case for me. As it turned out, the job was a light one. Linda had gotten up early and had started off breakfast already. I helped out here and there, but most of the breakfast time was spend standing around talking. After breakfast was over with and the dishes were done we set out for the first hike of that day. We drove up to the trail head leading to Cassidy Arch. The hike up was gorgeous. As was the view of Fern’s Nipple. And that is all I have to say about that.
The Arch was phenomenal, and perhaps a little scary when close to the edge. Or when other got close to the edge. Very. Close. To. The. Edge. This precarious location, though beautiful, was also unfortunate. During these first two days, there had been some tension build up between the Brian’s, and Hau had developed a strong fit of rage, resulting in half the group taking flight off of the arch. (Hopefully videographic evidence of this will be uploaded soon and can serve as warning for future visitors).
When the (remainder of the) group made it back down safely (unlike others, who got there faster), we split up. Some went for a hike through a nearby wash, while the others (including myself) went to the way cooler place (despite what members of the other group might say!); the presumed hide out of Butch Cassidy (no wash can beat that!). We had to drive there, and after a short hike and scramble we made it to the cave (held up by one single stick as I remember it), which we had to crawl through to make it to the hide out. Butch was not there at the time, so we took some pictures and headed out. On the way out we stopped to discuss the necessity people feel to leave their mark (after finding evidence of Justin Timberlake leaving his initials on one of the rock surfaces). We met up with the rogue group and paused by the side of the road for lunch before setting off together. We drove for just a couple of minutes before we pulled of the road. About fifty yards away from where we stopped, we found the dinosaur bone. Some vertebras were exposed and a tibia. It was an interesting to see the bones in the stage prior to National Geographic or the Natural History Museum. I am glad they have not excavated the site, and left the bones there to be viewed and touched, because it was amazing to touch a bone, tens of millions years old, that ones was part of the core structure of a giant reptilian.
Leaving the remains of Rexy (our beloved dinosaur) behind, we started heading back to the field station. On our way back to base, however, we stopped at the sight of a waterfall. Hau informed us that the waterfall was man-made, cutting over mile off of the rivers path. This had been done in order to make the construction of the highway in the 70s’s easier, and to stroke the ego of an engineer who thought his waterfall was the best thing ever to be created on this planet. However, in recent years there has been talk about reversing all this due to the value of American wetlands (only 1% of the original wetlands currently remain). The reversal is planned for 2013, with possible push-backs.
We got back to the field station where some of us stayed to nap, and others (including myself) went up to climb the wash. I must say in all honestly that I did not make it all the way up, as a case of acrophobia got the better of me. Yes, that would be fear of heights. It was a great scramble nonetheless. The others did bravely conquer the mountain, returning victoriously and on time for dinner: Teriyaki chicken, as deliciously prepared by our trip leader Tara. We had visitors for dinner; some of the locals and members of the UVU staff stopped by to discuss aspects of the region’s oral history. It was during dinner that it was decided that the stay would be extended for those that could spare the time. We had come with two vehicles and the people that had to be back early would drive back as planned with Tara, and those that wanted to stay could.
Dinner was done and the dishes cleaned. It had been a long day and we had covered quite some miles. Everybody was tired, so what better to end the day than a late night hike? The whole group (after convincing Tara to come along as well) set out some time after 9. It was nearly a full moon, so flashlights were not allowed (I have the tattoo to prove it). The sky was clear and was cool. The conditions were perfect and the hike was great, as everyone enjoyed the beautiful night and the pleasant conversations. On the way back Hau stopped us and requested we walked one by one through the narrow valley that laid ahead. When it was my turn to go, I slowly entered the shadowy area before me. As the voices behind me trailed away, the short walk in solitude became extremely peaceful. Every few yards I stood still, in complete silence I would look up at the rocks, the sky, and simply enjoy the beauty and seclusion of the place.
The Arch was phenomenal, and perhaps a little scary when close to the edge. Or when other got close to the edge. Very. Close. To. The. Edge. This precarious location, though beautiful, was also unfortunate. During these first two days, there had been some tension build up between the Brian’s, and Hau had developed a strong fit of rage, resulting in half the group taking flight off of the arch. (Hopefully videographic evidence of this will be uploaded soon and can serve as warning for future visitors).
When the (remainder of the) group made it back down safely (unlike others, who got there faster), we split up. Some went for a hike through a nearby wash, while the others (including myself) went to the way cooler place (despite what members of the other group might say!); the presumed hide out of Butch Cassidy (no wash can beat that!). We had to drive there, and after a short hike and scramble we made it to the cave (held up by one single stick as I remember it), which we had to crawl through to make it to the hide out. Butch was not there at the time, so we took some pictures and headed out. On the way out we stopped to discuss the necessity people feel to leave their mark (after finding evidence of Justin Timberlake leaving his initials on one of the rock surfaces). We met up with the rogue group and paused by the side of the road for lunch before setting off together. We drove for just a couple of minutes before we pulled of the road. About fifty yards away from where we stopped, we found the dinosaur bone. Some vertebras were exposed and a tibia. It was an interesting to see the bones in the stage prior to National Geographic or the Natural History Museum. I am glad they have not excavated the site, and left the bones there to be viewed and touched, because it was amazing to touch a bone, tens of millions years old, that ones was part of the core structure of a giant reptilian.
Leaving the remains of Rexy (our beloved dinosaur) behind, we started heading back to the field station. On our way back to base, however, we stopped at the sight of a waterfall. Hau informed us that the waterfall was man-made, cutting over mile off of the rivers path. This had been done in order to make the construction of the highway in the 70s’s easier, and to stroke the ego of an engineer who thought his waterfall was the best thing ever to be created on this planet. However, in recent years there has been talk about reversing all this due to the value of American wetlands (only 1% of the original wetlands currently remain). The reversal is planned for 2013, with possible push-backs.
We got back to the field station where some of us stayed to nap, and others (including myself) went up to climb the wash. I must say in all honestly that I did not make it all the way up, as a case of acrophobia got the better of me. Yes, that would be fear of heights. It was a great scramble nonetheless. The others did bravely conquer the mountain, returning victoriously and on time for dinner: Teriyaki chicken, as deliciously prepared by our trip leader Tara. We had visitors for dinner; some of the locals and members of the UVU staff stopped by to discuss aspects of the region’s oral history. It was during dinner that it was decided that the stay would be extended for those that could spare the time. We had come with two vehicles and the people that had to be back early would drive back as planned with Tara, and those that wanted to stay could.
Dinner was done and the dishes cleaned. It had been a long day and we had covered quite some miles. Everybody was tired, so what better to end the day than a late night hike? The whole group (after convincing Tara to come along as well) set out some time after 9. It was nearly a full moon, so flashlights were not allowed (I have the tattoo to prove it). The sky was clear and was cool. The conditions were perfect and the hike was great, as everyone enjoyed the beautiful night and the pleasant conversations. On the way back Hau stopped us and requested we walked one by one through the narrow valley that laid ahead. When it was my turn to go, I slowly entered the shadowy area before me. As the voices behind me trailed away, the short walk in solitude became extremely peaceful. Every few yards I stood still, in complete silence I would look up at the rocks, the sky, and simply enjoy the beauty and seclusion of the place.
When we had all made it through and had reflected on our solitary experience we drove back to the field station. Most everyone headed off to bed, but Jarom, Brittany and I stayed up, readying ourselves for bed with some late night hot cocoa. We turned in a little after one for the best night of sleep ever!
posted by Pancakes at 4:36 PM
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