| Storm Rider |
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| Joined: 06 Sep 2004 |
| Posts: 18 |
| Location: Minnesota |
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Day 10 - Last Day - Nov. 10, 2004
It is our last day in Moab. So what would be the best thing to do? Shall we get the packing for departure done early, or shall we spend another day in the backcountry of this unique area? Being of sound mind and good judgment, and realizing the packing can be put off until later, the decision was instantly made to use the day for more time on the trails. Since our Wisconsin friends had missed seeing some areas that were visited before they arrived, it was a day to go see ‘em again.
Onion Creek still had a good amount of current from the recent rains. Upon leaving the trailhead and going around a couple of meanders of the road, it became very apparent we were not alone. At a staging area there was a filming crew with numerous trucks, lots of people, and all kinds of equipment preparing for their day’s work. Hours later when we returned there was a long table set for lunch and about 25 people were being served by the caterer. The white linens looked a strangely out of place among the red rocks. We were not invited to join them for lunch, nor were we asked to play extras. Too bad!
Onion Creek had some morning sun for great picture taking. Having been there a week before only increased the anticipation of what was around the next corner. However, thinking that the trail would be remembered in any detail from the previous visit was soon realized as folly. The senses are so overloaded by passing through a spot like Onion Creek, it was almost like going through it again for the first time. There are endless variations of the high rock walls all around. We are at the bottom of the canyon in the creek crossings, then a hundred feet above the creek hugging a red rock wall. Next we are going around a tight curve while wondering what unseen challenge is only a few yards away. All this certainly gets everyone’s full attention.
Having begun at 4200-ft. elevation at the trailhead, we now climbed out of the Onion Creek headwaters, then crossed one end of Fisher Valley with Taylor Ranch and it’s green alfalfa fields in view. We were then in the surroundings of a mountain valley at 6000-ft. elevation. The still higher Thompson Canyon had low hanging and ever changing clouds that had saved a couple of sprinkles just for us. Right above us the clouds would be forming and then be swept over a high ridge by the breeze, as more would materialize to replace them. This was happening so close it was like we were part of it.
In the afternoon Gemini Bridges, Bull Canyon, and Surprise Overlook into Day Canyon were very quiet. It was as if they were recovering from the weekend or from the busy fall season of visitors. The fins of sandstone containing the twin bridges that are Gemini Bridges can also be seen from the bottom. When looking around at the sandstone walls on both sides of the canyon it is easy to imagine that countless centuries ago there may well have been more ‘Gemini Bridges’ at that location. Then we start looking at the fins of sandstone farther away and start playing the ‘what if’ and ‘maybe’ game.
It seemed there was a quiet melancholy among us as we finished the last ride back to the trailhead. When the time for us in Moab was over we began to wonder how we say to good-bye to the people and the places that made the past ten days such a great time? But we decide that we aren’t going to say good-bye. Instead we just say, "See you soon!" "We’ll be back!" "Thanks a lot!"
Reaffirmation of the day: No matter where you are or what you see, it is better when you share the days with family and friends. |
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