Bob Palin's Blog

The Deer Creek Lake Trail starts from Utah Highway 12 on Boulder Mountain on the Boulder side of the summit. The trail is one of my favourites because, although it is enough of a climb to be good exercise, it is never steep enough to hurt the knees. You can make the hike as long as you like by using the Great Western Trail which crosses it. After ascending the initial slope there are great views back over Grand Staircase to the east. The trail crosses a number of meadows between groves of Aspen trees. Janet joined me for the hike and Frikka wanted to show off her new fall fashion jacket just in time for hunting season. We met David and Chantelle from Spanish Forks on their way down from the lake, they had spent some time fishing but without any luck. Biff photo-bombed of course.  The trail monster in the trees... The very first signs of autumn were about here and there. Janet was looking forward to the dogs getting a swim in Deer Creek Lake, but the l...

I've been exploring the San Rafael Swell for about 20 years now and lived nearby for the last 11 yet somehow I hadn't previously been in the best known slot canyon. Actually I had attempted twice before but been rebuffed by potential weather problems, it's a high danger area for flash floods. Finally I set out with a brilliant blue sky and no forecast of change, though thin white clouds did appear. Little Wild Horse is a very accessible slot canyon with a paved road leading right to the parking lot so in the spring and summer it is packed with people, it's hot in the summer but the high was only 40F today. As I arrived at the entrance to the canyon a sole hiker was emerging, he had done the complete Wild Horse/Bell Canyon loop and reported that there was no standing water which was great news. After that I had the whole place to myself. The entrance to Little Wild Horse from Bell Canyon, the sign has gone and people miss the turn. The dogs explored every led...

Another day, another Sand Creek ride with the dogs. Having been in Cedar for the last two weeks or so it was all new to the dogs again! It's been cold while we were gone. Frikka wants to know where her drinking fountain has gone. Upstream from the road crossing, the one I call Second Crossing. I have also named the light cliffs on the right of the creek "Owl Cliffs" because I saw some owls up on them once. Henry Mountains over Capitol Reef.