A big THANKS to everyone that helped me on the forum and via e-mail - your tips, suggestions and guidance made for a great Escalante getaway. Jennifer and I left early Thursday and made it down to Hole-in-the-Rock Road by late afternoon. After a quick stop into Escalante to pick up some wine, we headed to our camp spot, built a fire, pulled out the chairs and wine and listened to...nothing. It was awesome!
Friday we planned to hike Willow Gulch, but it was raining steadily all day, so we opted for a little drive, some lunch in Escalante and an afternoon hike along Calf Creek up to the falls. The light, steady rain made for great photography along the riparian areas, and I'm sure that my favorite pics will come from that hike. Saturday started out with fairly good weather, and we headed into Willow Gulch and were walking with big eyes and open mouths most of the way. Having never been anywhere like it, the hike through the gulch was one of those hikes of continuous wonder. Storms moved in and about a mile or so down Forty Mile Gulch and we were about 1/2 mile from the truck when it opened up and nearby lightning made things very exciting .
Sunday took us to Zebra Slot which was a highlight of the trip. We had it all to ourselves and although we didn't time it very well, had some nice light in the canyon to go with our solitude. Sunday night we headed back to Calf Creek so that I could shoot some scenes Monday morning that I couldn't make on our previous hike. The light wasn't any more cooperative this time out, and so I've got a couple of very good reasons to head back next spring.
I'll post pics when I get some time to process them. In the meantime, here are a couple of digi-pics from the point-n-shoot. This is me and some chick who followed me up the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls. We had the place all to ourselves; given how crowded the campground was, I suspect that that's pretty rare.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on March 28, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Cool shots Rick.
If that is what it looks like with a point and shoot I can't wait to see what you got
Posted by Scott Bacon on March 28, 2007 at 9:42 PM
Sounds awesome. I'm green with envy...
Posted by Nat Coalson on March 28, 2007 at 9:48 PM
Thanks for the great trip report Rick... and some nice photos!
I love how you and Jennifer were able to hold still long enough for the shot of the falls... you guys look like mannequins!
Thanks for all you do for RMNP and keep up the great work.
Posted by Grant Collier on March 28, 2007 at 9:57 PM
Sounds like a nice trip. I was at Calf Creek on the following day (Saturday) and had the place all to myself even then. I didn't get the greatest shots, but here's one I kind of like. Your photo of Zebra makes me wish I'd headed there. Instead, I explored some interesting, but not too photogenic slot canyons in n. Arizona.
Sweet Rick!!! Oh man, now I'm really jazzed! I'm headed out this afternoon for the same area, and can't wait!! You can expect a phone call from me later today!!!
Okay, now I've REALLY got the Colorado Plateau bug! I was up 'til 2:45am a few nights ago exploring the SR Swell via Google Earth and websites, and now this tantalizing trip report! My cherished and carefully hoarded one week every spring is NOT ENOUGH TIME to spend in the canyons! If my boss knew what I am thinking right now, he would be very worried.
Thanks for the great update, Rick.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 29, 2007 at 9:48 PM
Cool Rick! I had to cancel my trip to the swell this weekend. These make me want to go even more. Can't wait to see what else you got.
Posted by Dan Walters on March 30, 2007 at 8:35 AM
Sounds like you had a great trip. Great shots by the way.
Discussion
13 repliesFriday we planned to hike Willow Gulch, but it was raining steadily all day, so we opted for a little drive, some lunch in Escalante and an afternoon hike along Calf Creek up to the falls. The light, steady rain made for great photography along the riparian areas, and I'm sure that my favorite pics will come from that hike. Saturday started out with fairly good weather, and we headed into Willow Gulch and were walking with big eyes and open mouths most of the way. Having never been anywhere like it, the hike through the gulch was one of those hikes of continuous wonder. Storms moved in and about a mile or so down Forty Mile Gulch and we were about 1/2 mile from the truck when it opened up and nearby lightning made things very exciting
Sunday took us to Zebra Slot which was a highlight of the trip. We had it all to ourselves and although we didn't time it very well, had some nice light in the canyon to go with our solitude. Sunday night we headed back to Calf Creek so that I could shoot some scenes Monday morning that I couldn't make on our previous hike. The light wasn't any more cooperative this time out, and so I've got a couple of very good reasons to head back next spring.
I'll post pics when I get some time to process them. In the meantime, here are a couple of digi-pics from the point-n-shoot. This is me and some chick who followed me up the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls.
If that is what it looks like with a point and shoot I can't wait to see what you got
I love how you and Jennifer were able to hold still long enough for the shot of the falls... you guys look like mannequins!
Thanks for all you do for RMNP and keep up the great work.
Guy
Show us more!!!!
Thanks for the great update, Rick.