Monday, 14th of April 2014 at 09:41:12 AMMy plan was to hike to Angel Arch in the Salt Horse Canyon area. It is a 27 mi / 42 km round trip hike from the Squaw Flat Trail head / Car Parking lot.
Having camped at Peekaboo would reduce the hiking distance to manageable 16 mi / 26 km (Car Park to Peekaboo is 5 miles – see day 6).
The night was very cold and chilly. Furthermore It began to rain at 4 am. Initially only shower but then getting heavy rain and windy. I woke up through the rain blobs on the tent. I had no experience in such a situation. I began to reason what to do and what could happen. As long as it rained I would stay in the tent. I would not allow to get myself wet in this cold. But what if it rained the whole day ? I imagined to pass the whole day in the tent. I had enough food and water but would not be able to realize my long planed hike to Angel Arch. I set me a target: When it not sops to rain before 9 I will abort this mission – originally I wanted to start the hike at 6 am. The rain ended at 9:40 am and I went outside to check my backpack hanging in the tree. Later I checked the water-level of the Salt Creek and it had significantly swollen.
I knew now that I will not do this hike this year. During this hike it was necessary to travel the creek, thus getting wet was programmed. But now the stream was even strong and thus dangerous. I decided to wait a little bit for letting the tent dry up and then return the 5 miles back to the car park. Despite the continuing showers the hike over the rock was easy. What I had also not seen before, the pots in the stone I knew only empty where now filled with rain water, and one got the understanding how this pods develop .
At two locations the trail which was intact the day before was broken by a rain drainage water. An incredible strong stream where the day before was nothing.
I still enjoyed this hike which is very picturesque and has also two ladder elements.
I arrived at the car at 2 pm and got rid of trash and dried/cleaned the tent. Went to the Visitor center to brush my teeth and drove off towards my next Basecamp: Farmington, New Mexico.
I entered the first time the state of Colorado and was surprised how the landscape changed totally into a green agrarian look with snow-covered mountains in the back. I decided to put Colorado onto my wishlist of next trips.
On the way I passed the Four Corner Monument where the states Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado meet.
Then I drove into New Mexico leaving Arizona. I had passed 4 states today.
Approaching to Farmington one passes Shiprock which is city and also a from far visible stone cathedral in the desert. Unfortunately I came a little bit late for meaningful photos at sunset.
But a consolation was finding this constellation of the full moon and a native american ridden warrior.
I arrived in Farmington at my Hotel at 9 pm, after having fueled up, and filled up the ice chest with drinks and ice.
But one is for sure: The mission “Angel Arch” will be repeated soon.
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