Hiking

A Little Walk in Time

mikemjensen Green River, Hiking, History, Powell's Expedition, Work in Progress Leave a comment

I took a little walk along the river this afternoon/evening. Covered about 2 miles round trip.

The walk brought back memories of days long gone and fishing when I was a much younger man. Those were some fun times.

I started the walk at a place called Little Hole. A place where it was recorded that John Westley Powell and his company stopped 154 years ago.

I believe most people concentrate on the fishing when they walk this path. I also fished, there’s no harm or judgement in that. But I wonder if anyone also thinks of the history that flows through that valley just as much as does the water.

A Little Extra

mikemjensen Hiking, Interesting Stuff (to me anyway), Utah, Vanity Leave a comment

Utah, and the western US, has been in a little bit of a drought the past few years… err, decades.

This year, the snow has been piling up. And in these parts drought or not drought depends on the winter snowfall and the subsequent spring run-off.

The mountains have received the most snowfall this year than ever before, beating a 40 year record from 1983. Well over 700″ in fact. It makes the tops and valleys have a rounded, soft look to them as the heavy snowfall fills in the nooks and crannies pretty well.

While driving by Mt. Timpanogos yesterday, we marveled at the “softness” of the mountain, discussed the incoming flooding potential, and yet the overall joy of having a great water year before us.

The mountain seemed proud of what it has accomplished this season. And there’s more snow still coming! More inches and feet to add to the record. More water to quench the thirsty valleys and reservoirs below. More beautiful splendor to peacock on these brief clear sunny afternoons between storms.

Still adding on. A little extra.

While we were basking in the glow of the winter’s accomplishment, I silently kept an eye on the shrouded peak. 11,750 feet above sea level, hiding in the clouds, stands the summit.

And there, I once stood. On a whim I took the 11 hours it took to hike there and back. I too took a little extra moment to remember. A memory I will never forget, an accomplishment to be personally proud of.

I’ve been up there.

It gave the moment a little extra.

For me anyway.

The Dark Angel

mikemjensen Hiking, Road Trip, Vanity Tags: , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

A few years back, on my first visit to Arches National Park, I saw a trail on the map that led to a formation called the Dark Angel.

I was intrigued.

It wasn’t the right time to make the 6 mile or so hike on that visit so I bookmarked it in my brain as a hike I wanted to do.

I made several more trips to Arches over the past several years and each time there were others sites to see or too little time to make the hike. So on the last trip last spring, I mentioned that the next trip, we were making the hike.

Today was the next trip.

We set out just after 10. The sun was already hot and there was plenty of people parked at the trailhead. Luck on our side, we found a spot immediately. To increase our luck and good karma, I flagged down a motorcycle circling the lot and welcomed them to park behind our car. We knew they would leave well before us, so no harm done and it got a Harley off the road sooner. 😉

Arches NP is beautiful and the arches are always awe inspiring but at last we reached the northern most part of the main hiking trails. And before us sat the monolith known as the Dark Angel.

Standing out by itself, like a pillar to a building that isn’t, the giant slab of red sandstone towered over the brush and dirt below it. A King of the desolate, a Monarch of the lowly.

In its simplicity, the tower reigned over the interest of all who ventured the distance to see it. No fancy arch, no balanced rock, and no other formations close enough to call it brother.IMG_20150906_121018_164

No one stayed very long to gawk at its beauty or praise its natural wonder. Instead, the people took a quick photo, and went back the way they had come without fanfare or comment.

We stayed a little longer than most. We walked around it to see all of its sides. We took our pictures and also returned back the way we came.

I worry about being drawn to an unknown exhibit simply because it had a name such as it has.

It worries me more, that I find similarities between the two of us.

But not that much. After all it’s just a rock.

 

Day 195