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Since 2009 after visiting the first time Coyote Buttes in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness I had the Whitepocket area on my wishlist. Today I finally visited this area south of the Coyote Buttes 
Condor Watching 
Related Posts:Today I had breakfast and Lunch with my friend Alex. We drove a little bit around Mesa and Tempe and skyped also with our good friend Antal in Budapest, Hungary. 
At 4 pm I left Phonix, Az for another 5 h drive to Page, Az – my next basecamp. I arrived in Page at 9 pm. 
Related Posts:The 9th day of my fototrip I spent (Arch-) Hunting in Chinle, Az. I shot 6; Hope, Big Eye, and Window Rock north of Chinle, Az and the 3 Many Farms,Az arches (Window Rock, Strawberry and Tear drop), Hope Arch 
Window Rock, Chinle 
Big Eye 
Teardrop Arch 
Window Rock, Many Farms 
Strawberry Arch 
At the end of the Hunt I rewarded myself with Spyder Rock in Canyon de Chelly 
At the afternoon I drove from Chinle, Az to Phoenix. This is a 5h drive. I wanted to visit my friend Alex who lived and worked since a year there. I took the 377 from Holbrook towards Heber and then the 260 passing Payson. It was astonishing to see the big Sitgreaves National Forest in that area, after having spent so many time in arid landscapes. 
Related Posts:I had never had the chance to visit the Bisti Badlands in Western New Mexico which are a must for every USA Southwest geek. There are 3 major sections the Bist North and South sections and the Ashi-Slepa Wash Section. I visited them today all together and rounded this up with a visit at the King of Wings-the hoodoo with probably the longest and greatest hat of all. “Cragged Egg” in the Bisti Southern Section 
“White Hoodoos” in the Bisti North Section 
Ashi-Slepa Wash 
King of Wings 
Related Posts:My 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. Related Posts: |
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Friday, 18th of April 2014 at 07:13:20 AM
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