We woke up and Twin Point and decided to head off and do some exploring. The rain continued and it caused just enough alert in the back of my mind to remember countless times mired in mud with hours of work to get out. I was not looking to add another to the list.
Thankfully even though most of us had migrated to All Terrains over the years, we weren't disappointed. The mud was watery enough to keep from packing in and turning the tires into racing slicks.
Slow, but consistent progress.
Kevin checked the crossing with his muck boots. This crossing dropped off just beyond that point to an unknown depth. We decided to turn around since the mud here was different and slick as snot.
Fender flares have an amazing ability to keep a truck clean. Jon did not have any. :-)
There was even a little fender flare carnage. I guess it wasn't made to have an extra 50lbs in mud hanging onto it.
The preferred method to explore muddy remote terrain. Of course.
The old (new) Mt Trumble Schoolhouse. It was rebuilt by volunteers after the original burnt down.
Taggart was having a blast.
We were all discussing how bad the mud would be on the way down the road from Mt Trumble. We were very happily surprised. It was all rock and sand, no mud.
I love Ocotillo's. They grow in the strangest of places and add a little green to otherwise barren landscape.
Now this was a great fire pit locale!
Hiking down tot he water.
This lava formation was directly beneath the firepit I posted above.
The formation is amazing. Similar to the Devil's post pile in California.
Very cool.
Finally made it down. Actually, it was a pretty quick and easy hike.
Sitting in the river enjoying a brew. All is right in the world. All is numb as well since the water is COLD.
More amazing formations across the river.
Yes, not a bad campsite.
Rock leveled campsite.
The next morning we headed out for higher ground!
Some tourists getting a very nice and very expensive ride to their awaiting rafts.
Yes. Yes, is all I can think of. This picture makes me want to live right here. In this very canyon. Not 30 minutes from the river and in an amazing little valley all it's own.
After a lot of low range climbing along a seldom used road we made it from 2500 up to 6000 feet in elevation.
We decided to head into Fredonia to gas up and head east towards some of the higher elevation, but also more busy parts of the North Rim.
It's a nice transition to be back in the pines!
Once again, not a bad camp.
The next morning we headed to pavement, aired up and started the drive home.
We had to stop at Lee's Ferry. Why, just because it's a great spot.
Some rafters and fisherman heading downriver.
It was another great trip and this one served to remind me that many more trips are "needed" to find all of the good secret spots of the North Rim.
The North Rim. The only Rim!
Well, geographically that may not be entirely true. It is 100% true in my mind though. The South Rim is Disneyland AZ. It's where you take kids and family to see the postcard view of the Grand Canyon along with 5,000 of your friends in motor coaches, station wagons and life sucking minivans.
Alas, there is a solution. It's hard to get to and the roads are all dirt, rock and... mud.
We started by meeting up in Mesquite, Nevada. It was hot!
At least it was beautiful.
It was a warm night, but this spot was easy to find, meet and start off the morning journey. We ran by Terrible Herbst gas station in Mesquite to play the "how many times can you top of your gas tank" game. I choose Terrible Herbst every time because as a kid I watched the Herbst family race their Truggy in every desert race I went to and that thrill is well worth given them back a few bucks every time I get a chance. Oh, and it was the cheapest gas in town... that helps.
And now for something completely different...
How do you not check out a Nash when you get the chance.
He was headed to a classic car show from Vegas. He also head said it CAN hit 65MPH. "It hasn't in a long time, but it has..."
Okay, back on topic.
The crew:
Right from the start things get exponentially more pretty as you head south and get more remote.
Coming down from the top of Lime Kiln Pass.
The terrain is constantly changing. Every time you think you know what the area is going to look like, as you head south, it changes. This area was like a homecoming because I spent a few months(camping) and working here a few years back.
And then it starts changing again.
We decided to take a side trail on the way south and do some exploring.
And it changes again.
The mud just kept on getting more and more soupy!!
Heading down to Twin Point.
Twin Point is "remote" in some sense's, but in actual miles and time from pavement it's not that bad. Well worth the added effort. Just pull your truck up to the edge and relax.
Then, grab a camera and/or a book and soak it in.
This little fell the size of the palm of my hand was scurrying along. Pretty neat to see.
So many sites along the rim.
So many great views that you have to keep getting up to take yet another picture. It's a good problem to have.
In the morning, grab a cup of coffee and repeat.
On day two we were headed for a much lower elevation spot with hopes of swimming in the Colorado!
Thankfully even though most of us had migrated to All Terrains over the years, we weren't disappointed. The mud was watery enough to keep from packing in and turning the tires into racing slicks.
Slow, but consistent progress.
Kevin checked the crossing with his muck boots. This crossing dropped off just beyond that point to an unknown depth. We decided to turn around since the mud here was different and slick as snot.
Fender flares have an amazing ability to keep a truck clean. Jon did not have any. :-)
There was even a little fender flare carnage. I guess it wasn't made to have an extra 50lbs in mud hanging onto it.
The preferred method to explore muddy remote terrain. Of course.
The old (new) Mt Trumble Schoolhouse. It was rebuilt by volunteers after the original burnt down.
Taggart was having a blast.
We were all discussing how bad the mud would be on the way down the road from Mt Trumble. We were very happily surprised. It was all rock and sand, no mud.
I love Ocotillo's. They grow in the strangest of places and add a little green to otherwise barren landscape.
Now this was a great fire pit locale!
Hiking down tot he water.
This lava formation was directly beneath the firepit I posted above.
The formation is amazing. Similar to the Devil's post pile in California.
Very cool.
Finally made it down. Actually, it was a pretty quick and easy hike.
Sitting in the river enjoying a brew. All is right in the world. All is numb as well since the water is COLD.
More amazing formations across the river.
Yes, not a bad campsite.
Rock leveled campsite.
The next morning we headed out for higher ground!
Some tourists getting a very nice and very expensive ride to their awaiting rafts.
Yes. Yes, is all I can think of. This picture makes me want to live right here. In this very canyon. Not 30 minutes from the river and in an amazing little valley all it's own.
After a lot of low range climbing along a seldom used road we made it from 2500 up to 6000 feet in elevation.
We decided to head into Fredonia to gas up and head east towards some of the higher elevation, but also more busy parts of the North Rim.
It's a nice transition to be back in the pines!
Once again, not a bad camp.
The next morning we headed to pavement, aired up and started the drive home.
We had to stop at Lee's Ferry. Why, just because it's a great spot.
Some rafters and fisherman heading downriver.
It was another great trip and this one served to remind me that many more trips are "needed" to find all of the good secret spots of the North Rim.
