Last November we spent two nights out in the far west end of our county. We camped both nights in a remote spot a mile or two East of the Utah state line.
We’ve been in the area before – once many years ago and again more recently. Previously we had explored this general area from the canyon system below and also by descending from the mesa above. On this trip we started from our car camp on the mesa above.
Our plan was to hike down onto a large area of exposed slickrock that we’d not yet visited. The access required navigating a semi complex network of old uranium mining and cattle grazing roads. The roads were mostly high clearance and four wheel drive in a few spots.
We got to our camping spot in the late afternoon. Days are short and the nights are cold in mid November. After a fireside dinner we were into the tent by 6:30. We had our warmest camping gear and stayed comfortable thru the night.
The following morning we followed a compass bearing across the P-J to the drop-in spot. A scrambly down climb got us onto the broad open slickrock area we were interested in exploring. It did not disappoint and was well worth the effort! This area is so obscure and remote that I suspect very few have ever visited.
After a day spent cruising around on the expansive slickrock we reversed our route and hiked back up to camp. We enjoyed another fireside meal and an early night, warm in the tent.
We will return to this area again. The plan is to connect what we did on this trip to the areas visited on our previous explorations and make it a 1-2 night backpacking loop.
Thank you for sharing. Camping in that area is a challenge but rewarding.
I think of you often and our visit to your studio. Our museum is nearing completion of the exhibits. I has been a long process.
Hope to see you there sometime.
Hi Ann! Thank you so much for your comments! I think of you often as well and your efforts towards bringing the Museum to life. I did stop by once but the museum was closed. I photographed the completed exterior and included that in a blog post about the project. You can see that here – https://www.openrangeimaging.com/blog/museum-rendering/
We will make a point of visiting again, possibly this April, and hope you may be there when we do!
Mark – I hope to share some coordinates or trips with you. You pic looks a lot like my recent FB photo in the Paradox.
Hi Steve! There is some great slickrock to visit in the Paradox Valley area. This trip was further West beyond the Paradox Valley. Too far from Telluride for day hiking, imo.