Since we were all a bit cold in the evenings on the backpacking trip around Engineer Mountain we decided to head to the desert in Utah and hike Grand Gulch Canyon. It was gorgeous!!
At the trailhead - the "before" photo
Ancient Pueblo handprints
Our campsite the first nightThere were no bugs so we were able to use these open floor tent/tarps that are much lighter and cooler than regular tents.
the rock
Excited about the second day
Mid-way through the second day at the top of a dried up waterfall
Crossing the dried stream bed
View from our campsite as the sun was setting
Same photo - just goofing around in Photoshop
Ancient pueblo pictographs at the Green Mask spot, near our campsite
The Green Mask site with various drawings including some indicating "springs"
The Green Mask site with the two headless Basketmaker figures on the left
Taking a siesta during a day hike along a side canyon
View from our campsite
Making pizza
Animal tracks seen on the last day - coyote?
day hike
Canyon walls
Canyon walls - you can see how the river has wound around and carved out the walls over the years
Canyon walls and blue sky
Ancient corncob from the Pueblo people - ruins in the background
Pueblo ruins
Gorgeous canyon wallsThe trip was beautiful! The biggest challenge was having to carry a lot of water in the heat. I seem to have an higher tolerance for heat than most (and conversely a lower tolerance for cold) so the heat didn't bother me much. I hope to go back soon.
