Backpacking Rainbow Bridge, October 13-15 2006

[articulate]

http://www.markdstephens.com/images/rainbow_bridge2.jpg
It's back! The botched plan for Rainbow Bridge (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509) last Spring has been on my mind for months. I'm going in October to see this sandstone wonder on the Navajo Nation. Do you want to come along?

Fun Facts: Rainbow Bridge is the Earth's largest free-standing rock arch at 290 feet tall - almost the size of the Statue of Liberty. She spans the river by 275 feet, and makes her home on the Navajo Indian Reservation as a sacred site to Native Americans. Backcountry permits from the Navajo Nation are required, and as a sacred site there is no camping at the Bridge. This region hosts several incredible canyons that are worth the hike alone, so we'll take in much more than Rainbow Bridge. I have permits ready to be filled out.

The Plan: 2 nights and 3 days on the trail
Friday eve/night: Drive to Rainbow Lodge (requiring 4wd); which is just the trailhead, and no longer a working lodge.
Saturday: Hike to a camping spot in Cliff Canyon, a few miles from the Great Sandstone Wonder. This is about 7-8 miles from the trailhead.
Sunday: Day trip to the bridge early, and explore some canyons on the way back to camp.
Monday: Hike out and make our weary way back to civilization.

The hike to Rainbow Bridge is about 13 miles one way with an elevation gain of about 2600 feet. I like the idea of day-tripping to the Bridge, but if you're a stout hiker, you could totally do this in 2 days and 1 night on the trail, but it'd be a hell of a first day. You can't set up camp at the bridge, so you'd have to trek back to Cliff Canyon. The camping is reportedly better in this canyon system anyway.

So, who is interested? Here is an arial view as well:
http://www.markdstephens.com/images/rainbow_bridge.jpg

I've done all the leg work, except for the hiking part, SO LET'S GO.

Mark

[Ursidae69]

Hey Mark,

I'm on a camping trip Sept 28th - Oct 8th, so I cannot make this. I hope the weather holds for you this time though. Chuck...

[goodtimes]

I have that weekend off, but no way I can get Monday off (someone else beat me to it, and when there are only 3 of us.....)

[articulate]

You buttwipes.

That blows.

Just don't show up on Monday. Not like there's a deficiency of work days in life.

[seth_js]

damn you stephens... you keep taking these cools trips on days I can't make it (i'll be in moab).

[articulate]

damn you stephens... you keep taking these cools trips on days I can't make it (i'll be in moab).
You're BACK! Sweet.......

Are you going to post up about your wild times in Belize or what??? I wanna see some photos, hear some tales...

[whitethaiger]

Hey Mark,

add me to the list of people who really would like to go, but can't make it.:p

[Ursidae69]

Hey Mark,

add me to the list of people who really would like to go, but can't make it.:p


:hehe: :xxrotflma

[goodtimes]

Just don't show up on Monday. Not like there's a deficiency of work days in life.

Unfortunately, I am not in a position in life that allows such luxuries as simply not showing up to work, not to mention it is not cool to do that to the people I work with. That day is bad enough with one person already on vacation, leaving 2 people to do the work of 3...but then to leave just one person to do the work of 3 is just plain rude. And I'm only rude when Chuck gets me started around a campfire.:sombrero:

[seth_js]

You're BACK! Sweet.......

Are you going to post up about your wild times in Belize or what??? I wanna see some photos, hear some tales...

yeah, came back with all my limbs still attached. i'll probably get my (brief) journal and photos up tonight. broke my damn camera getting back into the boat after the first snorkeling trip, so no pics from the last two days.

[articulate]

Hey Mark,

add me to the list of people who really would like to go, but can't make it.:p
Well, I can certainly rely on you to live up to my expectations.

:smiley_drive:
Carry on, carry on!

[articulate]

Just to talk to a wall........
The weather this time looks very nice:
Highs: 73
Lows: 53
Partly cloudy will help make some nice photos, too. :wings:

:rappel:

[whitethaiger]

Just to talk to a wall........

Just because we are not hiking with you doesn't mean we are not listening.:p


Have a great trip!

[articulate]

Just because we are not hiking with you doesn't mean we are not listening.:p


Have a great trip!
Walls might listen. They just don't talk back.
:yikes:

[desertgirl66]

We'll be with you in spirit :campfire: :yikes:

Truly one of my favoritest places, the fall colors in the gorge will be spectacular! We are off to a week in the Mohave National Preserve with the NorCal group :sunflower

If you can get a little extra time, try and at least drive and do a quick hike to take a peek at the Grand Gulch, just south of there on Cedar Mesa. You will find lots of AWESOME Anasazai cliff dwellings!

Lots of photos!!!

[awalter]

[QUOTE=desertgirl66]
We are off to a week in the Mohave National Preserve with the NorCal group :sunflower


One of my favorite areas. Where in the Preserve are you heading?

[desertgirl66]

Al, I sent a Pm your way!

[goodtimes]

Walls might listen. They just don't talk back.
:yikes:

And if they do...you have bigger problems than getting people to go backpacking with you!:Wow1:

[articulate]

If you can get a little extra time, try and at least drive and do a quick hike to take a peek at the Grand Gulch, just south of there on Cedar Mesa. You will find lots of AWESOME Anasazai cliff dwellings!

Lots of photos!!!
You're sweet as peaches. Thanks.

I spoke up about the weather, and guess what? It's looking like rain is a-coming. Kristina, we might get that chance to see Grand Gulch...if it's not a slot canyon.


And if they do...you have bigger problems than getting people to go backpacking with you!:Wow1:
Or maybe the two problems are perfectly related, if you catch my drift.

Mark

[articulate]

Changing the date: October 13-15, 2006. Pushed 'er back a week.

We're going to do :sombrero: Sonora, Mexico (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2547) this weekend instead due to the rains and flash flood warnings at Rainbow Bridge....:yikes:

NEXT Weekend, when it's sunny out there, we'll be hiking to The Mighty Bridge. And with Kristina's kind spirit with us. And maybe the non-talking walls, too. :)

[Dave]

Hmmm, well if you all don't have plans for the night of the 13th, we're planning on camping at the Stanton Creek camping area on Lake Powell. We'll be in a white ext cab Tacoma with Missouri plates. Probably monitoring CB 4.

I think Stanton Creek is here (http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.49168,-110.70298&z=16&t=H&marker0=38.57300%2C-110.69979%2C38.572998%5C%2C-110.699787&marker1=36.93611%2C-111.48333%2CLake%20Powell%20AZ).

[Ursidae69]

Changing the date: October 13-15, 2006. Pushed 'er back a week.



Well, I'm free on this new date, but my right heel is really acting up. I'm in no shape for long hikes right now. I'll watch from afar...:friday:

[seth_js]

Changing the date: October 13-15, 2006. Pushed 'er back a week.

We're going to do :sombrero: Sonora, Mexico (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2547) this weekend instead due to the rains and flash flood warnings at Rainbow Bridge....:yikes:

NEXT Weekend, when it's sunny out there, we'll be hiking to The Mighty Bridge. And with Kristina's kind spirit with us. And maybe the non-talking walls, too. :)

Man, you aren't kidding. I just got back from Moab and it POURED. I'll be posting up some pics probably tomorrow. You'll see the waterfalls that were pouring down all over the place.

[whitethaiger]

Well, I'm free on this new date, but my right heel is really acting up. I'm in no shape for long hikes right now. I'll watch from afar...:friday:

Those dates are even worse for me :p
Physically I'm fit, I finished this (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061008-9999-1m8boot.html) in reasonable time yesterday :wings:

[articulate]

Those dates are even worse for me :p
Physically I'm fit, I finished this (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061008-9999-1m8boot.html) in reasonable time yesterday :wings:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061008/images/met_drill280.jpg
how fast did you get through that? Physically fit? I think you mean emotionally fit.

[BajaTaco]

Hahaha - cool! Uwe, that even looks like it could be you in the pic.

[whitethaiger]

how fast did you get through that? Physically fit? I think you mean emotionally fit.
Took me 27min 12s to get out of there. That's 9.5 min behind the overall winner. That frequent up and down, climbing over stuff, getting wet feet in the "shower" made the 3miles quite hard. I had no idea how draining it would be compared to normal running. Even without the toughest obstacles (for liablility reasons all the higher climbing was not included) a number of people got hurt. Those obstacles are pretty rough wood.

Yeah, got to be mentally fit. Never got yelled at that much! They really know how to make you feel like a loser. My ex-Marine friend who got me into this said it was pretty realistic, but he assured me they held back on the names they called us:D


Hahaha - cool! Uwe, that even looks like it could be you in the pic.
I know, but it wasn't me. The DI's (Drill Instructors) were not that tall;). But man were they big! At this one climb over a wall a little over 5ft I decided to take the easy way and use the hay bale which they had in front of it as a step. The DI would have none of that, got right in front of me yelling: "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING? YOU GO OVER THAT ONE!"
I didn't argue with a guy whose twice as wide as I at the shoulders...
This yelling does motivate and help mobilizing extra strength, though.

It was great fun!

[Sorry for the highjack Mark]

[articulate]

...trip sucked.

More later.

:camping:

[goodtimes]

...trip sucked.

More later.

:camping:


No.

After all the changes and getting rained out repeatedly, the trip could not have sucked. Simply not allowed. We want a happy story. A triumphant story. A story of you overcoming mother natures insistance that we not visit Rainbow Bridge. We want pictures of you, standing under the bridge, arms raised in a "V", declaring to the world that you came, you saw, you concuered! We want to hear about you telling mother nature that you will not be denied the opportunity, nor the glory. You told mother nature to "bite me", and lived to tell about it.

"trip sucked" is simply not allowed.

[BajaTaco]

It sucked?

[seth_js]

Man... if Stephens says it sucked, then it must have just been horrible. I didn't think his outlook on stuff would let any thing suck.

[bigreen505]

Hopefully it did *not* involve the infamous cases of locals helping themselves to his rig.

[articulate]

WOW!

:lurk:

[articulate]

Okay, okay.

It sucked. Never even saw the bridge. 11:00pm, we were gently woken by some odd tap-tapping on our tent. Comfy asleep in the bottom of Cliff Canyon, about 4 miles to the Bridge. This canyon, BTW, is impressive. Yosemite-like. The sandstone walls are enourmous and sweeping.

But that tap-tapping was the rain. 'Twas gentle, but I lay there the rest of the night wondering: what should we do? It's foolish to trek through a slot canyon even with showers in the area. (the final 4 miles are in a slot). Really, the next thing on my mind was: do we really have to walk out of here first thing in the morning?

What an atrocious hike. Dear God. Rocky, steep, loose in places, unmaintained, and really really rocky. Really rocky. And really steep. Yet the weather graced us with blue skies, and upper-70's temperatures on Friday. So you can imagine the disappointment? Going back up that hell trail in the rain and mud?

The rain virtually didn't stop by morning, so we packed up, shivered, and left. Water was building in the bottom of the canyon; however, with the rain and impromptu waterfalls all over the place (pouring down 1000' sheer sandstone cliffs), it was like a scene out of Lord of The Rings. About the damned neatest thing I've ever experienced. So that part didn't suck. Other than it was a reminder to get the hell outta Dodge.

The rain never let up, the winds kicked in, and - yes - the thunder rumbled. Not only was the hike miserable (you know, the whole wet-n-cold thing?), but at times downright scary. After the initial 1600' climb out of the canyon (AHEM! 1600 vertical feet in 1.5 miles), we're exposed while traversing across the side of Navajo Mountain for about 2 miles. That's where the thunder makes your body pee without warning.

Three strikes. It's like Navajo Mountain doesn't want me there. The good news, is that no one touched the truck. And Brooke - the Super Cool Chick - loaded us up with some muchie food and cooler with tasty drinks that we left in the truck. :chowtime: We got naked, dried off, got warm, ate some Chips Ahoy. The whole damn sleeve of 'em, and washed it all down with can of Dr. Good Guy. Fresh raspberries, too. Oh! And cheeze its. Yum yums!

I don't know....should I try this again?

[Ursidae69]

I don't know....should I try this again?

Let's kayak in. :archaeolo

[articulate]

Let's kayak in. :archaeolo
Actually, that's not a bad idea. We can kayak in from the lake, and dock with about a 1 mile hike to the Bridge. It might take a few days to paddle that distance from Wahweep. Maybe there's another drop-in point closer. OH MAN!!!! What a great idea.

Let's get Jonathan in here to discuss. . .

[kcowyo]

It's like Navajo Mountain doesn't want me there....

Yeah, you're over with the Navajo like Kit Carson. Even if they are $200 ahead....

And if getting naked and eatin' Chips Ahoy is wrong, I don't want to be right.


Naked cookie eating guy.....

[goodtimes]

And if getting naked and eatin' Chips Ahoy is wrong, I don't want to be right.


No, what is wrong is *telling* someone about the cold, wet, nekkid cookie-eatin adventures. Sorry, not the story we wanted to hear. That is kinda like telling the story about that night in college when, on a dare, you...uh..."went home with" a girl who was "big boned", and had a "good personality"....we don't wanna hear about it.:smilies27

[bigreen505]

I would say that any adventure that ends with your wife eating your cookies is a good trip. :victory: Ever seen the movie Providence? It has at least one good moral.

I suppose on the somewhat serious side, you will be back when the time is right. Some of the greatest trips I've had were failures in terms of reaching the intended destination, but they were beautiful and enlightening on a level and in ways I never planned.

[Ursidae69]

I was talking to Brian offline and he says it's 40 miles one-way by water to Rainbow Bridge, that is a hell of a kayak trip. Heck with it, let's just rent a houseboat, motor to the bridge, see it, say "ooohh, ahhhhh" take a few pictures, then have a party on the houseboat. :)

[seth_js]

I was talking to Brian offline and he says it's 40 miles one-way by water to Rainbow Bridge, that is a hell of a kayak trip. Heck with it, let's just rent a houseboat, motor to the bridge, see it, say "ooohh, ahhhhh" take a few pictures, then have a party on the houseboat. :)

Hell yeah! Can I come? :p

[kcowyo]

Party on a houseboat with Naked Cookie Eating Guy? :088:

Not that there's anything wrong with that.....

[devinsixtyseven]

40 miles isnt bad on a yak, it'd just be a two day trip out to the bridge. quicker if ya got a sail, but i dont even have my own yak yet :(.

could speed up the run with a two-person yak, as well. i'd be interested in a trip like that, dunno where to rent/borrow a two person sea yak for a week tho.

-sean

[articulate]

Some of the greatest trips I've had were failures in terms of reaching the intended destination, but they were beautiful and enlightening on a level and in ways I never planned.
It appears that the enlightenment going on here is that a houseboat loaded with some brats and light beer will be the prefered method to see Rainbow Bridge. At which point we have to figure out where the thread belongs: Planned Expeditions Other, or maybe Recovery and Repair Equipment?