22.8 Mile Hike

Sundays Hike:       San Raphael Swell Area

Planned Miles:      17 Miles

Actual Miles:         22.8 Miles

Total Time:            *About 8.5 Hours 

Sunday Adventure to this Hidden Beauty

  

        
     Early Sunday morning my father and I headed out to revisit a hidden arch we accidentally discovered on a hike last year.  What makes this arch intriguing to us is not only its massive size; but, that because of its location, many do not see this hidden gem!

This was no sissy hike.  Elevation change was not 'too' bad and I won't even claim the mileage was TOO difficult.  What was challenging you ask?  Some of the drop offs we had to inch our way down with NO ropes, scrambling across massive rock formations, and being caught in the dark WITHOUT a flashlight seems to up the difficulty level the hike.  


A few photos and details....

Good Morning UTAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have to go down THAT!???

 At about mile 10, we took a break to 

REFUEL THE MACHINE

 

At mile 14 we approach the canyon were the arch lays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes I might get a little nervous and just slide down on my butt :D

NOTE TO SELF: Check the damn batteries on the flashlight before going out on a hike.  The last 2 miles was a pitch black adventure!  Our only lights were the GPS and a Cell Phone.  On a normal road this would be no big deal... on an uneven terrain in the middle of nowhere - a little scary =)   

  

Seeing our jeep was like seeing the finish line in a marathon!  Challenges that are not only physically demanding on your body but mentally challenging on your mind leave you in such a euphoric state of mind.  

I love the feeling of being exhausted and exhilarated simultaneously.   

Another great hike...