In one instance we were able to set up a kairn anchor A sandtrap wasn't at all required but would have made this little problem easier and cleaner On another we slung a flake in the wall I didn't really trust it because it sounded hollow so we backed it up with a very very solid 2 person body belay up canyon as we sent the heaviest person down first The back-up body belay anchor was kept until the last and lightest person rapped without it A pull cord was used to retrieve the webbing and allow someone else to enjoy...

With 314, Nevada has more mountain ranges than any other state The Ruby Mountains, south of Elko, are often touted as one of the crown jewels of the Nevada ranges Lamoille Canyon, the most visited area of the range, has been described by some as the Yosemite of Nevada I'm not sure I would go quite that far, but the Ruby Range is indeed beautiful, remote, and has an excellent thru hike that visits a large chunk of it The Ruby Crest Trail is between 33 and 37 miles depending on who you ask With small side trips for c...

2022-02-05 Our first rappel was on the far corner of the left side of the beginning of the canyon It ended up being a 100 ft rappel with a large part of it being free-hang I first flaked out about 50 ft of rope thinking that it was the same as the beginning we could see But since the edge curved more gradually there, we couldn't see the bottom from the anchor I then tossed the bag and it went bonk bonk bonk bonk bonk My other group leader and I looked at each other and thought that's MUCH farther than 50 ft I got o...

"There is an exquisite charm in our ride to-day down this beautiful canyon It gradually grows deeper with every mile of travel; the walls are symmetrically curved and grandly arched, of a beautiful color, and reflected in the quiet waters in many places so as almost to deceive the eye and suggest to the beholder the thought that he is looking into profound depths" -John Wesley Powell, Canyons of the Colorado I can think of no better introduction to Labyrinth Canyon than the imagery Powell conjures up in his descrip...

The wherewithal of the early pioneers astounds me! In the summer of 1846, the Donner Party set off for California En route, they learned of Hastings Cutoff, a supposed easier route to California that would make for a shorter trip Nevermind Hastings himself had only traversed the route once of the same year and without wagons! His enthusiasm for California and the fact it was a shorter route convinced the Donner Party to take the new course They chose the route over Big Mountain Pass after scouting determined Weber ...

Between the Henry Mountains and Fremont River lays a barren landscape of Mancos shale The grey scenery is reminiscent of a lunar landscape As water tumbles down from the Henries through the badlands, it cuts through a Ferrone Sandstone layer The white sandstone is hard and erodes into very sculpted walls When Diane, Ruby and I headed out to check out the one small canyon in that area, I was intrigued at what we might find The canyon is short, but interestingly sculpted I would have really enjoyed it except for one ...

Counting Panel is one of the more unique panels I have seen in the area The panel is actually a couple of panels One is a large and weathered petroglyph panel, the other is a much more intricate pictograph panel with many red and black lines The striking pictograph, to me, seemed like a spot that was used for counting Maybe red signified one item and black another I suspect native peoples passed through the area during spring and fall while hunting on the transitional zone between the badlands below and the Henry M...

Passing through the area, we could not help but stop at a small spur road that had nice views to the north of Factory Butte It seemed the perfect place for a snack break and to take in the view We were not the first to find the views irresistible! At an outcropping overlooking Town Wash below and Factory Butte in the distance we found the Riding Desert Sheep Panel It is easy to understand why early people might have been drawn to the spot to create artwork The site is made up of a couple of different panels that ap...

Upper City Creek Canyon is one of the most pristine canyons along the Wasatch Front Rules against dogs, horses, and camping are in the canyon, coupled with somewhat difficult access, have made this a lightly visited area The hike to the meadows shows this light usages Expect a trail that is occasionally hard to find in grassy meadows, solitude, and a very natural setting On a July day, I was dazzled by butterflies and birds, with many more spotted than I have seen elsewhere in the Wasatch City Creek Canyon is quite...

City Creek is rich in history The canyon is currently home to one of the Salt Lake valley’s water treatment plants and has long had a history of providing water to the valley The upper reaches of the canyon held the site of several mines, none of which were very successful Then came prohibition, and moonshine was added to the story of City Creek Canyon The trail described here, Smugglers Gap, was used by moonshiners to smuggle moonshine from City Creek to the military base at Fort Douglas The hike is steep and heav...