Monday, February 19, 2007

Not-so-happy trail




We had a limited window to get out and catch some fresh air Sunday. We thought perhaps the trails at Red Rock Canyon would be dry - at least more so than at other parks. It does get a lot of sun, we rationalized.

Well, we still had a great time, but under less-than-desirable conditions. Mud, mud, mud. And because it doesn't do the trails any good to widen them by avoiding the mud, we trudged on. Some areas were perfectly fine. Others. Well. Not so much.

Did you get out? Where? What are conditions? Where should I hike this afternoon if I can get outta here early?

(What happened to my trip to Monarch? A snafu here at work prevented me getting away. Sometimes the stars align in ways we can't imagine.)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stay off the trails ying yangs. Even walking through the mud is damaging as you can see by those lazy asses on the horses. Don't people ever get it?

gulo said...

funny that you mention it because I went hiking to Red Rocks today and it was my first time ever there ! I really liked it except the mud which was just horrible, I was sliding several times and I'm just happy I didn't fall in it. Shoes were ruined though :)

Dave Philipps said...

It would be nice if there was a sign or red flag (a la the beach) that could be raised when trail contitions warrant staying off.

Dena Rosenberry said...

We stayed off the worst of the trails. The entire park isn't like the photos, which were taken where Quarry Pass and Mesa trails break away. We turned around when the Sand Canyon trail became a quagmire.

Long stretches of the trail are dry. If you go, just be prepared for a lot of backtracking.

The horseback riders did turn around from that trail they'd started down, which was pretty narrow.

Also, you could tell a lot of people tried to avoid small sections of mud by walking around and, effectively widening the trail and trampling plants. We saw a lot of smushed cacti. Not good.

It would be great if there were flags out there - and that people would follow them.

While I'm on it, dog owners: leashes!

Biker Betty said...

Dena, you didn't miss anything by not going to Monarch. I guess I have been lucky in the few times I have been there in the past years. It was so incredibly busy. I didn't get much skiing in, as I stood in line about 20 or more minutes. It didn't matter where you caught the ski lifts on the mountain, it was just plain busy. We left a little early. We got tired of standing in the lines all the time.

Dena Rosenberry said...

Now I have my heart set on Sunday. I feel compelled to get up there one more time in February! If I do my taxes Saturday...

Biker Betty said...

Dena, did you get your taxes done and make it out of the slopes? My youngest went with his boy scout troop and he said the lines weren't that bad.

Dena Rosenberry said...

Taxes... argh! Nearly there.
My son had homework, so we stayed home Sunday, too. Hiked in Blodgett Peak Open Space. A few icy bits, but mostly good. Only went snowboarding once (!) in February. But a storm's a comin'.

Biker Betty said...

Well bummer!! I'm so glad my husband does our taxes, lol. Hopefully you can get out a few times in March. We hope to make it once later in the month, but time will tell.

Good luck to you,
Betty :)