| Storm Rider |
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| Joined: 06 Sep 2004 |
| Posts: 18 |
| Location: Minnesota |
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Day 9 - The Sky is Falling! - Nov. 9, 2004
Not really, but the sky was to have a profound influence on the day ahead. At first light it was evident there had been substantial rainfall during the night. Everything outdoors was wet, and any container had a considerable amount of water in it. A nearby brook was chuckling in approval of getting the always-appreciated moisture. It was later learned that Dead Horse Point received .73 inches of rain and Moab .57 inches. That is a nice rain, considering Moab averages only 8.7 inches precipitation yearly.
Although well knowing that a heavy rain could affect the crossing of Kane Creek on our way to Chicken Corners, it was decided our plans for the day wouldn’t need to change. The sky was a festival of colors, sunbursts through dark clouds, and high rising cumulus formations, sometimes threatening, but always changing. However, only sprinkles found us and the cloud show added to the interest of this outstanding route. So many stops for viewing and for hiking into interesting places made the excursion seem to go on and on, which pleased everyone. Along the way the evaporation ponds of the potash plant were often visible, as was the shelter high on Dead Horse Point across the Colorado River. Numerous photos were taken especially near Hurrah Pass and at Chicken Corners. This route has so many extraordinary vistas in all directions; it is certainly more than just scenic. At the end of the trail we told the original Chicken Corners story and wondered about the exact location of the filming of Thelma and Louise taking the movie ending leap in their car just below Dead Horse Point.
When lunchtime was mentioned, it was also mentioned that there was a very black bank of threatening clouds in the northwest and another cloud front equally threatening in the southwest. And it always seems the darkest clouds are headed right for us! Northeast was the direction that we came from, and in that direction we were very soon headed. Rain gear was worn but was barely needed, and lunch was at 3 PM in a sandwich shop in Moab.
Driving in a light rain to Dead Horse Point State Park in late afternoon enabled us to enjoy the splendid visitor center and hike their trails to stunning overlooks. From the shelter that was visible earlier that day from Chicken Corners, we could see some of the places and trails that we had used across the Colorado River the past two days. The wonderfully safe hiking trails have overlooks that are 2000 feet above the Colorado River down below. What an extraordinary, remarkable day!
To give us something to look forward to, we remembered that we did not find an arch located not far from the where the Lockhart Basin Trail turns off the Chicken Corners Trail and also some water carved caves in the same area. Maybe next time we’ll see these.
Discovery of the day: The sky and the weather can change faster in this area than anywhere we’ve ever been! |
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