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bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 02:25 PM Apr 2013

For my 10K post at DU, A Return to Sand Canyon.

Cleopatra Marie and I went on a 6.2 mile hike last Friday on the Sand Canyon Trail in the Canyons of the Ancients, a National Monument that straddles the Colorado and Utah border in the Four Corners, administered by the BLM. http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nm/canm.html


Heading south from the trailhead to the rim the weather forecast was "partly cloudy"...


About to start the switchbacks down to the canyon floor.




Cleo is a most excellent trail guide.

`
Juniper berries - gin and tonic would be good right now.


Many, many switchbacks later, almost to the canyon floor.


And straight into the slot canyon at the bottom.
























The South trailhead. We made it! Thanks for coming along!

http://s137.photobucket.com/user/digrow/library/Canyons%20of%20theAncients/Sand%20Canyon%20Spring%20Traverse

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
For my 10K post at DU, A Return to Sand Canyon. (Original Post) bluedigger Apr 2013 OP
Right now all I can do is recommend it Mira Apr 2013 #1
Now I don't know what to do with myself... bluedigger Apr 2013 #2
some really nice shots ... i can only assume we will see a few again in future contests ... kudos MichaelSoE Apr 2013 #3
Thanks, and maybe... bluedigger Apr 2013 #4
Congrats on 10K. Skinner Apr 2013 #5
Thanks very much! bluedigger Apr 2013 #6
Beautiful pics,thanks! No matter how many times i go over there, likesmountains 52 Apr 2013 #7
Let me know if you come over. bluedigger Apr 2013 #8
What fun! Solly Mack Apr 2013 #9
Cleo is a skilled and experienced photobomber. bluedigger Apr 2013 #10
Obviously a very skilled doggie. Solly Mack Apr 2013 #11
dogs are smarter than humans ConcernedCanuk Apr 2013 #15
Hmm, if she was behind you takin pix, where are you?? ConcernedCanuk Apr 2013 #16
Beautiful. panader0 Apr 2013 #12
She waits for me a lot. bluedigger Apr 2013 #18
Great shots. It makes me want to go. n/t Bonhomme Richard Apr 2013 #13
Well, you should! bluedigger Apr 2013 #19
It's going on my bucket list. I'm a big Abbey fan... Bonhomme Richard Apr 2013 #20
Thanks for the excellent tour! Mz Pip Apr 2013 #14
You are welcome, and thanks! bluedigger Apr 2013 #17
Great pics. Thank you for the tour. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #21
Thanks, and you're welcome! bluedigger Apr 2013 #24
Congrats on posts and pictures locks Apr 2013 #22
Thanks, locks! bluedigger Apr 2013 #23
Looks like a beautiful walk. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #25
It wasn't all that bad. bluedigger Apr 2013 #26

Mira

(22,378 posts)
1. Right now all I can do is recommend it
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 03:02 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Wed Apr 10, 2013, 06:43 PM - Edit history (1)

it takes me a while to get up from the floor and re-collect myself.
Congratulations for the 10 000 posts. I think this means you'll hang around, eh?

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
4. Thanks, and maybe...
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 03:13 PM
Apr 2013

I milked my trip across the Imogene Pass last summer pretty hard, with some success. This hike will be hard to find themes for, I think. But don't think I won't try...

likesmountains 52

(4,093 posts)
7. Beautiful pics,thanks! No matter how many times i go over there,
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 03:38 PM
Apr 2013

I always see something new. And the weather, clouds and sky can change the colors of the rocks so much too. Now I need to drive over to Cortez ! Congratulations on the 10,000 too.

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
10. Cleo is a skilled and experienced photobomber.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 04:51 PM
Apr 2013

By the second half of the trip she was heeling behind me. I had to keep turning around to see that she was still there - usually about two feet away.

 

ConcernedCanuk

(13,509 posts)
15. dogs are smarter than humans
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 02:18 PM
Apr 2013

.
.
.

that's a no brainer!!

If you got a friendly dog, and it growls at a visitor . . .

'nuff said methinks . . .

CC

 

ConcernedCanuk

(13,509 posts)
16. Hmm, if she was behind you takin pix, where are you??
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 02:23 PM
Apr 2013

.
.
.

By the way, they are beautiful pictures.

Reminds me of the days back in the 70's when I toured the states.

Nice country, nice people -

lived in SanDee for 14 months,

so I know.

Too bad about your government.

CC

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
19. Well, you should!
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 03:37 PM
Apr 2013

There are not one, but three, National Parks within two hours of here - Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks. Just because we are in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean there's nothing here!

Bonhomme Richard

(8,992 posts)
20. It's going on my bucket list. I'm a big Abbey fan...
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 06:24 PM
Apr 2013

and ever since reading Desert Solitaire I have wanted to go.

Mz Pip

(27,403 posts)
14. Thanks for the excellent tour!
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 12:13 PM
Apr 2013

Sadly, hikes that long are beyond me now. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I know I'd love to see more of CO and UT.

These are great photos and Cleo looks to be quite a sweetly.

Congrats on 10k!

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
17. You are welcome, and thanks!
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 03:31 PM
Apr 2013

The trail is quite accessible from the south trailhead, without having to climb down, or up, the north rim of the canyon. I didn't post any pics of the ruins nearer the southern end because I did those a couple years ago. I was plenty tuckered, believe you me! Downhills are really hard on the thighs - I didn't get over the soreness for four days afterwards.

One more of Cleo, since everybody likes her.



Taking a break.

 

Arctic Dave

(13,812 posts)
21. Great pics. Thank you for the tour.
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 07:03 PM
Apr 2013

I wish I could have went with you.

Seems you were holding up Cleopatra.

locks

(2,012 posts)
22. Congrats on posts and pictures
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 07:04 PM
Apr 2013

I remember well your great photos of Imogene Pass last year. I have not been to Sand Canyon but many friends have and also digging in Crow Canyon. How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place!

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
25. Looks like a beautiful walk.
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 09:02 PM
Apr 2013

When I saw that sign, I would have decided that I didn't want to see the bottom of the canyon! I will hike, but I have only done one hike on "most difficult" trails.....and I will not do that again. Then again, as I get older, those trails get harder.

Congratulations on 10,000 posts.

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
26. It wasn't all that bad.
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 09:19 PM
Apr 2013

Going down. I only slipped once, nearly at the bottom, on some loose gravel. That's why I through hiked it from north to south. No way I was climbing up it after a six mile slog!

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