190. Off Trail Hiking in Goblin Valley State Park (1)

I don’t usually hike off trail, alone. I love off trail hiking, but I just don’t think it is safe or smart to wander off trail on my own. Even though I’ve hiked some of the most remote places, I figure, as long as I am on trail, that within a day (or two, if I am so unlucky), that someone will find me if I am in trouble. Well, if I am off trail, I could be stuck there, forever, without anyone ever finding me there. Or at least it would take more than a day or two.

That’s why I was surprised when the ranger told me to go off trail in Goblin Valley State Park. “To tell you the truth, the trails don’t have the best view. Just walk down the valley.” He probably figured I am a crazy hiker, being the first one showed up bright early in the morning before sunrise.

“I won’t get lost?” I was cautious.

“No, you will see the observation area, even from far.”

So, I did, wandered without any trail, amongst all kinds of shapes and sizes of goblins. It was an amazing area! Once again, I was like a little girl lost in the rocky wonderland. With early sunlight, I was able to capture a few pictures I like.

I did hike a trail in the afternoon, just curious. The ranger was right. It was so much more fun to walk down the valley. You could see the rock formations much better. However, one does need to be careful. Although it is not hard to see the general direction, it doesn’t always mean it is easy to find your way back. I did scramble up a few areas, wandered too far to back track and had to find another way out. As we all know or learned our lesson one way or another, it is so much easier to go up than get down. I did get my heart pounding, and my breath panting a couple of times. 🙂

In fact, I did wonder, how long would take them to find me, if I were in real trouble. Perhaps a couple of weeks? Or it might take longer! There were so many places one can go, being hurt and then getting stuck!

Well, I am still here, safe and sound, even after wandering off trail in the park for almost 10 hours. I was going to stay for the sunset, but by last afternoon, I was too tired to walk any longer. Too bad I missed the best sunlight, but a girl got her limit. 🙂

 

189. Desolated Factory Butte, and Surrounding Areas

I was so inspired by the wildness camping experience, I was eager to do it again the next day. I checked online before the trip about a desolated place called Factory Butte west of Hanksville. From the picture, it looked pretty interesting. I am a big fan of rocks and rock formations.

Well, the butte is interesting, standing tall, and alone in the desert. The eroded rocks are fascinating. However, against my original plan to camp there, I changed my decision. I chickened out! The area is so remote and desolated that I didn’t see a single human being there! I was keen to camp in the wildness again, but not without a single person, a tent or a car in sight! The wind was howling as if it was telling me to leave this wild place alone.

So, I listened. I went to camp in a modern campground in Hanksville. With nice green lawn to set up the tent, the clean bathroom with hot shower nearby, the onsite restaurant to use internet (without ordering anything), I don’t remember a better campground I’ve stayed. 🙂

Oh, without water for a day, hot shower seemed so wonderful, and as such a luxury. I think, it might be a good idea that once in a while we should all experience something as bare minimal so that we won’t take things like a hot shower for granted.

 

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

188. Camping in BLM land, Wild and Free

I am on the road again, just for 10 days. My land lady in Sedona is coming back to use her house so I am using this opportunity to travel, again. I didn’t have a particular goal in mind although I knew the general direction I was going to go—Utah. Once again, I was just going to “tumble in the wind”. So free!

My day actually didn’t start too great—I was too excited that I drove too fast. The end result is I got a speeding ticket! “This is not good. My insurance is going to increase! I don’t even have a job right now.” After a few moments of negative thoughts, I calmed down. It was my fault and nothing much I can do now other than deal with it when I get back from my trip. Nothing is going to stop me from enjoy the trip. Nothing!

Well something else interfered with my day as well—the wind was so strong when I reached my first intended destination, Monument Valley, that I was told I couldn’t set up my tent. “Others already asked for their refund.” Yes, the wind was so strong that it looked like fog in the sky. I guess that is a “dust storm”?

Luckily, I didn’t mind being “blown away” by the wind. So I “tumbled” along, driving forward. My next destination was Natural Bridge National Monument. I have been to this park before. Since it was cloudy, I didn’t have any good picture of this amazing place. So it wouldn’t be too bad to revisit the place again and take some nice pictures. At least, the day after was supposed to be nice enough.

Well, it was my “lucky” day—the campground at Natural Bridge was full! Now what? The place was very remote. The closest town is about a couple of hours away. Seeing my disappointment, the ranger was very nice to offer, “There is a BLM land (Bureau of land management) right outside of the park. It is primitive, but you can camp there, for free.”

So, I did—camped for free, in the wildness. Oh, there were few other groups of campers around, but they all scattered around in a large wooded area that I couldn’t see or hear anyone from my spot. I’ve camped countless times, but I’ve never camped in wildness, on my own. I was either alone in a campground or in primitive site with others. This was another first. When I went to my tent, I brought the bear spray with me, just to give me a peace of mind. 🙂

It turned out that I slept really well. Other than the wind was blowing, I couldn’t hear anything else. It was actually quiet serene, surrounded by nothing except pure nature! I loved it!

The bad news, though, even I hiked all the trails in the park (about 10 miles), I didn’t get any good picture. The day was dark and cloudy, good for hiking, but sucked for taking pictures. So, being in the park twice, I can’t share any good picture of the three natural bridges which are spectacular.

One thing I am so happy to find is rock arts in the canyon below. They were so clear that I thought it might belong to the art of “modern” people. I did show my pictures to the ranger and I was assured that they are real pictographs and petroglyphs!

By the way, if you are there and have time, do hike down the canyon. The trail is unmaintained, but the view looking up the rocks is worth the trouble. Most people only hike to the bridges, without going through the canyon. I loved it, being there all alone. Natural Bridge is a wild place, perfect for solitude.

I did meet a nice gentleman when I took the short hike to the bridge in the late afternoon the first day. Joe was coming up the trail as I was going down. We stopped and talked, for about 10-15 min. It turned out that he was a professional photographer! And he has a brother who lives 15 miles from Sedona where I will be back in 10 days. We plan to hike together when he goes to visit his brother in 2 weeks.

I often wonder why sometime we stop to talk to someone in a trail, while other times we just nod, or smile, or simply say hello. Perhaps it was his smile—friendly, cheerful, broad. Although most people are pretty happy on the trails, not everyone with such joy written all over his or her face. I guess he probably found the same delight on my face. At least I hope that was the case. 🙂

It was a good start of the trip-wild, free! Well, almost “free”—I still had to pay for the ticket when I got back. 🙂

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

187. Sedona (11): On Top of Bear Mountain, at Last

(Courtesy from Bobbi)

“Wow! I don’t know what else to say other than adding a few more wow.” This is what I wrote on the comment after taking a hike with “Sedona Red Rock Hikers” to Bear Mountain.

Yes! We had an unforgettable hike—great group of hikers, stunning view, and nice weather. Okay, it was cloudy, not good for taking pictures, but it was great for hiking in a warm season. Even it was relative cool (compared to over 80, bright sunny days before and after), I could see my sweat dripped on the rock like rain drops. 🙂 I was so touched and appreciated when Jim, one of the organizers, brought icy cold water to us at the end of the hike!

Five miles round trip, 2,242 feet accumulated elevation gain—it took us 2 hours just to get up; and I was panting. 🙂 Our fearless leader Patrick was fast!

This wasn’t the first time I hiked the Bear Mountain. However, last time I didn’t reach the top. When I hiked on my own, I liked to hike in the late afternoon so that I could take sunset pictures. Since “Bear Mountain trail” is only 5 miles round trip. I assumed it wouldn’t take much longer than 2 hours. I started 3pm and I had to turn back around 4:30 since it was going to get dark in less than an hour (it was early January). I learned this from reading stories of mountain climbers—you turn back at certain time, enough for you to get down, even before you reach destination. I am glad I didn’t push on that day. It would be too dangerous to get down in the dark! All the scenic pictures here are taken from the day I hiked on my own.

I am so glad I was on top of Bear Mountain, with a group of fun hikers! What else can I ask for in life?

(Courtesy from Phil)

(Courtesy from Patrick)

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

186. Sedona (10): Attending Full Moon Drum Circle, again!

I’ve always loved the Moon! It is beautiful, mysterious, and romantic! As a “romantic fool”, I am always touched by the sight of the Moon, especially full Moon. Obviously, when there is a chance to enjoy the full Moon, the spectacular scenery and the sound of drum, I wouldn’t miss it.

I actually posted a few pictures of Full Moon Drum Circle at Cathedral Rock before (#177). Well, I am posting it again–I love it so much.

This time, I asked a few friends to go with me. We arrived before sunset, early enough to capture a few sunset pictures. The warm sunlight on Red rock took my breath away, as it happened again and again—I am finitely having a “Red Rock Fever” 🙂 And I know I am not going to “recover” anytime soon.

It was a little cloudy last night. We could see the outline of clouds lit up. Yet, it took a long time for the Moon to peek out. At times, it seemed the clouds moved up at same rate as the Moon, blocking its light.

“We probably did the wrong dance,” someone joked about it. We laughed, and danced harder. After we did the “right dance” for a while, the Moon finally peeked out. Partly covered by the clouds, it was so pretty, even more mysterious! A few young men and women performed fire juggling. It was very cool. I certainly enjoyed it very much. As long as I am in Sedona, I will try my best to attend all the Full Moon Drum Circles!

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

185. Unbelievable Full Moon Hike at Wet Beaver Wilderness!

Wow! What a wonderful night I had! A friend I just made in Sedona took me on a full Moon hike in Wet Beaver Wilderness area. Oh my God. What an experience I had!

Web Beaver is a wilderness area located in Coconino National Forest not far from Sedona. It is beautiful in the day time—crystal clear creek, red rocks, black volcanic cliffs, open valley. But at night, under the Full Moon, the place turned into something even more magic! Too bad it was too hard to capture it on camera. I tried, many times, but nothing turned out decent enough to share.

I have done Full Moon hikes a number of times in my life. But here, in the total wilderness, without any man-made light in sight, the light was so much stronger. I couldn’t believe my eyes how bright it was and kept on saying “Oh my God”, like a fool! 🙂 But I don’t care being such a “fool”. It’s simply too beautiful to keep quiet. And I am sure Gary understood my silliness. He is an avid hiker and award winning writer. Understanding another outdoor lover’s excitement is his “job”. 🙂

We started hiking shortly after 5 and didn’t finish until close to 10! I am so grateful, to be able to witness such wonder of nature. Even though I have been hiking so much on my own, I wouldn’t hike in the middle of the night, in total wilderness, all by myself (no one was there except us).

After I came back home, I watched yet another wonder of nature—the Lunar Eclipse, right in my back yard! Tonight, I am going to join Full Moon Drum Circle (post#177) again with other friends. Life is great!

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

184. Seeing Petrified Forest National Park, with Friends

Another trip I took with a hiking group is Petrified Forest National Park (a couple of months ago). I have been to this national park once before. This time, I went with four other hikers—three ladies and one man.

Named for its large deposits of petrified wood, this park is best known for globally significant Late Triassic fossils. Two hundred million years ago, tall trees covered much of this area in northeast Arizona. But volcanic lava destroyed the lush forest, and the remains were embedded into sediment comprised of volcanic ash. Erosion set those logs free millions of years later, revealing the petrified woods, made mostly of colorful quartz.

It is amazing to see the beauty of those colorful rock-like woods, but it is also stunning to witness such rare glimpse of change of nature.

Personally, this trip also allowed me to make good friends. We kept in touch, hiking more in the group or just with one another. I am amazed, time after time, how friendly hikers are. Everywhere I went I have met friendly hikers—I have hiking buddies back in North Carolina, in China, and now in Sedona! When I mentioned I have to leave the house I am renting for 10 days as my landlady is coming back, three people in three different groups offered me to stay with them!

As someone who had almost no friend ten years ago and didn’t even know how to make friend, I have come a long way! Not only I do have friends, but also I have such confidence that I can make friends wherever I go! It is such a comfort and assurance—I am not alone, even I am totally by myself, and it, as corny as it sounds, warms my heart! Such warmness, even those fleeting moments, would stay forever, just as the colorful preserved woods, in the depth of my heart.

(“polka dotted” rock!)

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

183. White Pocket in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

Just came back from a camping trip to White Pocket. Oh my god! It was such an amazing area! It is a patch of sandstone hidden within the desert expanse of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument near the Arizona/Utah border. The area is covered with a gray rocky layer above the red sandstone. The entire landscape looks like as if it is covered with icing sugar. Totally wired! Entirely amazing!

I have heard about White Pocket and seen pictures of it before. From what I have seen, I really wanted to go to the area. However, it is isolated and notoriously hard to reach. Without a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, there was no way for me to reach the area.

Luckily, a local (Sedona) hiking group organized a trip and I was able to join a dozen hikers to witness such natural wonder. We camped there for two nights in a complete primitive area—no water, no bathroom, no electricity—nothing except stunning nature. The first night was so cold that I didn’t think I fell into sleep (weather forecast for the night was “feels like 24”). Even so, the scenery was so worthy the “suffer”. And of course, it made my bed seems so warm and comfortable now. 🙂

I probably have seen/done more than most people in the group—got up before sunrise; hiked and took sunrise pictures with one man in the group before others got up; and scrambled up near the top of the tallest rock with another man. It was so much fun.

I am in love with White Pocket! 🙂 Too bad I won’t be able to go there on my own. 😦

(Nature’s heart on a rock in White Pocket)

(Sunset in White Pocket)

(The rock we scrambled up)

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html

182. Sedona (9): Beautiful Brins Mesa Trail

I have been asked so many times as which trail in Sedona is my favorite. It is such a simple question, yet so hard to answer! I can list so many trails that I love dearly, but I am afraid to label one as my favorite—I have many favorites. 🙂  All I can do here is to post some pictures from different trails and let you be the judge.
Brins Mesa Trail is about 3.6 miles one way. There are a few other trails connected to it so that you can make different loops, longer or shorter. The main Brins Mesa Trail is surrounded by spectacular mountains, colorful cliffs and stunning buttes. Sunset is my favorite time to be there.

PS. my photo website: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/qing-yang.html