Flag Point

We had read several interesting articles about Flag Point and the dinosaur tracks and pictographs panels that are located in the vicinity.  However, ascending from the bottom of the precipice didn't seem like an option, as ropes are suggested, and we didn't have a side-by-side UTV to come in from the top.  After mentioning a possible outing to Flag Point to Tom, he became very interested when he learned there were dinosaur tracks . . . seems he's never seen one before.  Add in a 3.5 mile (r/t) hike to recover Navajo Wells benchmark atop Flag Point and he was on board!  Oh, did we mention he has a side-by-side?  What a friend . . . but then we already knew that!

The 20 miles of winding, sandy, snow covered road with huge mud puddles to Glass Eye Butte
is not suitable for vehicles . . . but it was perfect for Tom and his Can-Am    

We followed a trail down off the butte and within minutes we started to see dinosaur tracks! 

There were several tracks of all sizes along the edge of the Vermilion Cliffs
(This one looks like it was headed west then pivoted and went east)

Possibly a baby Dino?

Look at the size of this track compared to Tom & Kent 

Searching the cliff face we found the pictograph panel we had heard about
(Surprisingly, they were just below the dinosaur tracks)

Simple, yet meaningful pictographs

 Notice the dinosaur track surrounded by figures . . .
 This is the oldest known recording of a dinosaur footprint in North America . . .
 It dates from 900-1150 A.D.

So many different shapes . . . there's a lot going on here

Looking back at Glass Eye Butte . . . how did Tom get his Can-Am up there? 
By following the winding road, of course!

This large Juniper appears to be growing right out of the sandstone

We are headed for Flag Point . . . we weren't prepared for snow . . .
Thankfully it was primarily on the north facing slopes

We stopped to check out this little window along the way

We saw a lot of deer tracks and even a few deer while riding in the Can-Am

Looking back from where we have come . . .
The Vermilion Cliffs tower over the valley below

Tom with his crew taking a picture of the survey marker monument at Flag Point . . .
 The benchmark is right behind Tom in the rock by his right foot

Navajo Wells Benchmark (1954) was placed here by surveyors who arrived by helicopter 

Old wire

It appears that the surveyors wanted this cross to stand for a long time by
looking at the amount of wire they used to hold it together

Looking west from Flag Point towards Kanab

Time to load up and head out . . . it sure beats walking!

The long and winding road . . . 

The Kanab area never ceases to amaze us . . . so much to see and do!  If you would like road directions to Glass Eye Butte, where we parked Tom's Can-Am, you can click here to get our route on a topo map.  Once you've seen the dinosaur tracks and pictographs you might want enjoy a leisurely stroll out to Flag Point for some more amazing views.  If you'd like a topo map and GPS tracks for this portion of our outing you can click here for a link to Tom's Peakbagger.com post.

Cedar Breaks Snowshoe Hike

One of the things we appreciate about our friend Tom is that he's always "pushing" us to try new things.  So, when he suggested we snowshoe into Cedar Breaks and do the Alpine Pond Loop Trail our options were to immediately say "No, that's not something we really want to do" or "What time do we want to meet at the rental shop?"  Thankfully, for us we chose the latter and didn't miss out on an opportunity to do something most people never dreamed of trying!

It ended up being a really fun day!  The weather was quite enjoyable (calm and 41°) and the monument was very quiet (only saw a handful of cross-country skiers and snowmobilers).  It was fun to experience Cedar Breaks in a more serene and peaceful setting.  Surprisingly, we managed the five mile loop in about three hours . . . not too bad!

Starting out . . . this should be fun!

Our first glimpse of Cedar Breaks

We left the road and headed off into the trees

It was quiet, peaceful and beautiful 

From here on we are blazing our own trail

We 'think' we are working our way along the Upper Alpine Pond Trail

Back on the road and heading for Chessmen Overlook
You must obey the speed limit within the park boundaries . . . even in winter . . . not that 35 was ever an option!
(Tom says this sign always annoys him . . . speed is controlled by the driver, not radar!)

Kent & Allison . . . it goes to show that you're never too old to try new things!

Very few people get to see Cedar Breaks with snow . . .
In winter, it can only be accessed by hiking, snowshoes, XC Skis or snowmobiles

Tom, our friend and guide . . . thanks for another great adventure!

The parking area sure looks different with snow

The shaded north side of the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater had a bit more snow

Time to head back . . . what a great day . . . perfect temps and blue sky

Allison kicked it into high gear on the return portion . . .
When she stopped Kent & Tom were way back there!
(They are much older, don't you know!)

Back to where we started . . . it's not everyday you can park UT-148
(The road is closed directly behind Tom's truck . . . the state plowed this short section for parking spots)

If this looks like something you might want to try, you can rent snowshoes at Georg's Ski Shop in Brian Head . . . they had a very friendly and helpful staff.  To get a topo map and GPS track of our route you can click here for Tom's post . . . yes, we managed to fit in Alpine Pond Peak and that allowed Tom a summit that he could record on Peakbaggers.com.
 

Sandstone Mountain (Chipper's Last Hike)

You’re familiar with the saying, “Don’t take for granted what you have today because tomorrow it just might not be there.”  Sadly, we were about to experience this adage first hand.  Little did we know that five days after hiking Sandstone Mountain, with Tom and “The Crew,” we would be mourning the loss of our hiking buddy, Chipper, to an inoperable blockage.

How is it possible that such an active athletic young boy could be gone so quickly?  I guess you can understand that as we reminisce on this Sunday afternoon hike, our hearts break as we are reminded that this would be our last adventure with him.  When we look out our home office window and see Sandstone Mountain it will always hold a special place in our hearts for it is here we would share our last hike with our beloved dog!

Fresh snow on the Pine Valley Mountains make for a nice contrast against the red rocks

Our plan is to head for the saddle, directly above Tom's head

So far, so good

Fun rocks to see along the way 

It was a pretty steep and rocky
Tom led the way with Chipper on his tail

Cool rock

Fun shapes

So many interesting rocks 

At the saddle and getting ready to make our final push to the summit
(It looks worse than it really was . . . actually, it was fairly easy just weaving in and out of boulders)
As you can see, Chipper really liked to hike . . . he always amazed us with his athleticism!

Notice Chipper . . . he liked to follow right behind Tom . . . like a shadow . . . 
"Hey, this guy knows where we're going!"

Taking a breather . . . we're almost there!

Up on top
Chipper enjoyed a much needed drink of water . . . boy, could the dog drink!

The views from the top were amazing in every direction
(Looking west toward Leeds and the Pine Valley Mountains)
Notice Chipper munching on ice from a frozen pool of water

Looking east toward Zion and LaVerkin

Interesting designs in the sandstone

On the way down we decided to make a loop and look for Regal Arch
It took some searching, but we found it . . . a little underwhelming!

A bittersweet picture!
Heading back to the trailhead with Chipper leading the way . . .
So long Chipper Boy!