It was a great day for hiking on our second day down Grand Gulch. Our campsite at the mouth of Todie Canyon caught the early rays of the sun, and we got off to an early (well for us anyway) start.
This was probably the best day on the hike. There wasn't too much bushwhacking through brush and climbing in and out of the wash. In addition the scenery was spectacular, which included the wonderful Split Level ruin.
We made our second camp in Sheik's Canyon after hiking 7.2 miles for the day. We ended our day listening to the chorus of frogs in the Green Mask spring.
Note photo takers are given in the titles under the thumbnails.
Kickass Trekkers on this trip were: Bill Mooseker, Shelby Stong, Mike Stong, Madison Stong, Fred Stong, and Cindy Stong.
The descriptions under the photo thumbnails in the album sometimes contain links to maps or additional information. These are identified by "Blue” text for links. I've also inserted links to Google Maps to show where certain photos in the album were taken or to locate features shown in the photos. Click on the link, close the sidebar, and choose satellite view. Basically, you can then zoom in and out using the mouse wheel or drag the map by clicking and holding.
For panoramic photos, I would recommend clicking on the thumbnail photo to enlarge. View at original size for most detail. The thumbnails do not do justice to petroglyphs and pictographs, so I would recommend enlarging them as well. Please take the time to view the many videos to better experience what it was like to be there.
Troop 24 Kickass Trekkers Backpacking Trip
-Cascade Bill Mooseker
Date(s): May 9. Album by Cascade Bill. 1 - 211 of 211 Total. 1640 Visits.
enlarge 521KB, 1024x1022 1 pic&vids
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enlarge 182KB, 1024x768 2 2016-05-09 07-58-16 cindy IMG 9089 Morning view up Todie Canyon from our camp.
enlarge 297KB, 1024x768 3 2016-05-09 07-58-20 cindy IMG 9090 Getting squared away for the day's hike.
enlarge 257KB, 1024x768 4 2016-05-09 07-58-22 cindy IMG 9091 Bill & Shelby - Shelby is making the "piles" (to the left of Shelby). The piles are the food and troop gear that are distributed every morning.
enlarge 138KB, 1024x768 6 2016-05-09 08-18-58 bill DSC01348 Going down canyon, the trail leads you to an alcove with several ruins. This was a first as the up canyon trail does not come thru here, so this was a first for me.
enlarge 203KB, 1024x768 7 2016-05-09 08-44-14 cindy IMG 9094 Closer view of end ruin.
enlarge 130KB, 1024x768 8 2016-05-09 08-20-10 bill DSC01349 view of ruin.
enlarge 133KB, 1024x768 9 2016-05-09 08-23-36 bill DSC01353 Close up of construction method - mud "stucco" applied over rock wall.
enlarge 153KB, 1024x768 10 2016-05-09 08-22-54 bill DSC01352 Looking back at ruin in previous photo.
enlarge 168KB, 1024x768 17 2016-05-09 08-44-24 cindy IMG 9096 Shelby is exploring the ledge beyond.
enlarge 175KB, 768x1024 18 2016-05-09 08-44-34 mike DSCF4322 #MASG (Make America Stong Again)
enlarge 235KB, 1024x768 19 2016-05-09 08-44-30 cindy IMG 9097 View looking down canyon from the ruin alcove.
enlarge 140KB, 768x1024 20 2016-05-09 08-45-14 mike DSCF4324 Cindy & Madison
enlarge 222KB, 768x1024 21 2016-05-09 08-46-08 madison IMG 6464 Mike exploring the upper ledge beyond the ruin.
enlarge 219KB, 768x1024 22 2016-05-09 08-47-16 madison IMG 6470 Fred on the lower ledge.
enlarge 151KB, 1024x768 23 2016-05-09 08-47-34 mike DSCF4325 Granary tucked in the upper ledge.
enlarge 185KB, 1024x768 24 2016-05-09 08-47-50 cindy IMG 9099 Mike & Madison on the upper ledge.
enlarge 218KB, 768x1024 25 2016-05-09 08-48-36 madison IMG 6476 Madison on the upper ledge - the granary in the previous photo is just around the bend.
enlarge 242KB, 1024x768 49 2016-05-09 09-30-32 cindy IMG 9118 lichen patterns on the sandstone walls of the canyon.
enlarge 263KB, 1024x768 50 2016-05-09 09-31-02 cindy IMG 9119 Gnarled Cedar tree clings to life along the trail.
enlarge 238KB, 1024x768 51 2016-05-09 09-31-52 cindy IMG 9120 Coming up on another inner promontory. This one is located HERE.
enlarge 282KB, 1024x768 52 2016-05-09 09-36-52 cindy IMG 9121 Lip of the "Big Pouroff Pool" - I was hoping to reach this on our first day as my favorite Grand Gulch campsite is near here - but it was just too far for an old man!!
enlarge 264KB, 1024x768 53 2016-05-09 09-38-20 cindy IMG 9123 Taking a break at the Big Pouroff.
enlarge 195KB, 1024x768 54 2016-05-09 09-34-44 mike DSCF4328 Checking the maps.
enlarge 204KB, 1024x768 55 2016-05-09 09-38-30 cindy IMG 9124 Breaktime at a beautiful spot.
enlarge 189KB, 1024x768 56 2016-05-09 09-41-22 mike DSCF4330 Madison investigating the Pouroff pool.
enlarge 147KB, 1024x768 57 2016-05-09 09-41-36 mike DSCF4332 Madison and the pool below.
enlarge 133KB, 1024x768 58 2016-05-09 09-44-22 bill DSC01358 Pouroff pool from above. In 2005, there was a waterfall at the pool - CLICK HERE
enlarge 174KB, 1024x768 59 2016-05-09 09-44-34 bill DSC01359 Getting ready to go.
enlarge 127KB, 1024x768 60 2016-05-09 09-46-18 cindy IMG 9126 Bill at the lip of the pouroff.
enlarge 277KB, 768x1024 70 2016-05-09 10-04-50 cindy IMG 9134 Mike & Madison checking animal tracks in the wash.
enlarge 183KB, 768x1024 71 2016-05-09 10-07-26 cindy IMG 9135 Interesting patterns in the canyon wall.
enlarge 155KB, 1024x768 72 2016-05-09 10-07-38 cindy IMG 9136 Close up of sandstone bedding patterns.
enlarge 273KB, 768x1024 73 2016-05-09 10-08-14 cindy IMG 9137 Tree shows evidence of flash floods.
enlarge 211KB, 1024x768 74 2016-05-09 10-09-12 mike DSCF4339 Mike and Madison had climbed up on a bench to view the Lion Track ruin and got this photo of the rest of the crew.
enlarge 208KB, 1024x768 75 2016-05-09 10-11-08 bill DSC01364 View of the Lion Track Ruin from the bench - in 2002 we hiked over to the base of the ruin.
enlarge 135KB, 1024x768 76 2016-05-09 10-09-06 cindy IMG 9138 Telephoto view of the ruin - it sits high up on a cliff.
enlarge 125KB, 1024x768 77 2016-05-09 10-11-26 bill DSC01366 The ruin is named for its proximity to the Lion Track Spring, which is a little further down canyon. I've seen some reports that call this ruin "inaccessible", but Shelby made it up there in 2002. Proof is HERE.
enlarge 233KB, 1152x647 78 2016-05-09 10-10-14 bill DSC01363 While I was up on the bench photographing the Lion Track ruin, the rest of the crew took off down canyon.
enlarge 51.99MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 79 2016 ut whm may 9 003.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. Crew heading down canyon.
enlarge 286KB, 1024x768 80 2016-05-09 10-12-00 cindy IMG 9140 Going through sage and cottonwoods a little past the previous photos. According to the map, the Lion Track Spring is located on the bench near the end of the promontory to the right and above our group.
enlarge 111KB, 1152x248 83 2016-05-09 10-16-20 cindy IMG 9145 Panorama photo (part 1)- Lion Track Ruin is near the left edge of this photo (left edge corresponds to looking up canyon)
enlarge 108KB, 1152x248 84 2016-05-09 10-16-12 cindy IMG 9144 Panorama photo (part 2) - if you enlarge photo to original size you can see the Lion Track Ruin near the right edge of the photo. (Left edge corresponds to looking down canyon) I think that these photos were taken near HERE.
enlarge 265KB, 1024x768 93 2016-05-09 10-44-40 cindy IMG 9157 Looking back to where we dropped our packs.
enlarge 141KB, 1024x768 94 2016-05-09 10-40-48 bill DSC01372 At the upper en of the alcove there is a group of ruins shown here. You can also see a large rockfall that lies between the main Split Level ruins and these ones.
enlarge 176KB, 768x1024 95 2016-05-09 10-40-52 madison IMG 6494 Detail view showing roof construction with log rafters and thatch overlain with dirt. I'm wondering if this was a kiva that has been filed with sand over the years. There has been some build up since 2005 - see HERE. Note also that some of the loose rocks have been moved around.
enlarge 193KB, 768x1024 96 2016-05-09 10-40-12 madison IMG 6501
enlarge 159KB, 1024x768 97 2016-05-09 10-40-16 madison IMG 6502 Madison and Mike at granary ruin.
enlarge 154KB, 768x1024 98 2016-05-09 10-40-26 madison IMG 6498
enlarge 166KB, 1024x768 99 2016-05-09 10-46-54 cindy IMG 9159 Fred at Granary
enlarge 163KB, 768x1024 100 2016-05-09 10-40-58 madison IMG 6491 Madison at well preserved granary.
enlarge 138KB, 1024x768 101 2016-05-09 10-41-02 bill DSC01369 Another view of the granary.
enlarge 137KB, 1024x768 102 2016-05-09 10-41-06 bill DSC01370 Notice to not enter interior areas is new since 2005 (enlarge to original size to read) Also, the flat rocks next to the opening were not there either.
enlarge 131KB, 1024x768 103 2016-05-09 10-41-24 bill DSC01371 close up of construction of granary.
enlarge 192KB, 768x1024 104 2016-05-09 10-41-26 madison IMG 6510 The midden (waste dump) has been chained off so that you can't walk through it.
enlarge 210KB, 1024x768 105 2016-05-09 10-41-54 cindy IMG 9153 The fenced off area lets you access the rockfall for a closer view of the main ruins.
enlarge 203KB, 768x1024 106 2016-05-09 10-41-28 madison IMG 6503 view of the midden area - many shards of pottery are visible here.
enlarge 169KB, 1024x768 107 2016-05-09 10-41-38 bill DSC01373 Note the pottery shards.
enlarge 233KB, 768x1024 108 2016-05-09 10-41-46 madison IMG 6508 Pottery shard and 700 year old corn cob in the waste area.
enlarge 256KB, 768x1024 109 2016-05-09 10-41-48 madison IMG 6512 Group of shards - note the red glazed one and the various gray stippled ones.
enlarge 215KB, 1024x768 110 2016-05-09 10-42-42 mike DSCF4341 A hawk or owl feather adds some color.
enlarge 229KB, 768x1024 111 2016-05-09 10-43-08 madison IMG 6528 Pottery shard with stippled decoration.
enlarge 259KB, 768x1024 112 2016-05-09 10-43-16 cindy IMG 9154 If you enlarge this photo, you will see many corn cobs, shards, and bits of charcoal.
enlarge 142KB, 1024x768 113 2016-05-09 10-43-42 cindy IMG 9155 Different types of pottery shards - enlarge photo and note the artwork on the small shard to the left.
enlarge 167KB, 1024x768 114 2016-05-09 10-44-16 cindy IMG 9156 Red glazed shard with lines.
enlarge 98KB, 1152x426 115 2016-05-09 10-39-54 madison IMG 6543 Panoramic view of the Split Level Ruins from the top of the rockfall shown previously.
enlarge 174KB, 1024x768 117 2016-05-09 10-44-18 bill DSC01377 view from the rockfall - note the exposed roof beams at the left.
enlarge 160KB, 1024x768 118 2016-05-09 10-44-33 mike DSCF4345 Exposed roof beams at the front of the ruin.
enlarge 166KB, 1024x768 119 2016-05-09 10-44-34 bill DSC01376 Upper part of ruin - notice the different construction that has been used to close the opening - vertical posts interspersed with smaller branches with horizontal ties spaced about 8-12 inches and then overlain with mud for a seal. In 2005, there was a large flat stone partially blocking this opening, which someone has illegally moved. 2005 shown HERE. It was not there in 2002 -SHOWN HERE. What happened?
enlarge 201KB, 1024x768 120 2016-05-09 10-44-54 bill DSC01378 Another view of the exposed roof beams - not the sequence of construction. Note the lintel above the door - have some rocks fallen out between the two wood beams?
enlarge 142KB, 768x1024 121 2016-05-09 10-45-12 madison IMG 6517 Shelby in the Rockfall.
enlarge 114KB, 1024x768 122 2016-05-09 10-45-24 mike DSCF4348 1 Telephoto - Holy Crap! I've been here three times but I never noticed the petroglyphs on the rock to the right of Shelby until I enlarged this photo. I wonder if they were put there up above up on the cliff before the rock fell.
enlarge 184KB, 768x1024 123 2016-05-09 10-45-40 madison IMG 6515 Looking up canyon from top of rockfall.
enlarge 148KB, 1024x768 124 2016-05-09 10-46-32 bill DSC01379 Looking up canyon - you can see the round shape of the lower ruins, which leads to my speculation that it was a kiva.
enlarge 196KB, 1024x768 125 2016-05-09 10-51-06 madison IMG 6533 Looking down canyon from top of rockfall.
enlarge 156KB, 768x1024 126 2016-05-09 10-51-10 madison IMG 6534 Madison climbing up the rockfall.
enlarge 146KB, 768x1024 127 2016-05-09 10-54-02 madison IMG 6544 This shows the way up the rockfall.
enlarge 286KB, 1024x768 128 2016-05-09 10-52-12 cindy IMG 9161 Bill taking a break in the shade at Split Level Ruin.
enlarge 228KB, 768x1024 129 2016-05-09 10-52-16 cindy IMG 9162 Fred taking a break.
enlarge 193KB, 1024x768 130 2016-05-09 10-55-22 bill DSC01380 Looking back at Split Level Ruin as we head out - Note the ruins at the upper level. It looks impossible to get up there. There are even more to the right (out of photo) - CLICK HERE for photo from 2005.
enlarge 233KB, 1024x768 146 2016-05-09 11-34-54 bill DSC01385 More Claret Cups
enlarge 122KB, 1024x768 147 2016-05-09 11-35-12 bill DSC01387 Looking up canyon
enlarge 169KB, 1024x768 148 2016-05-09 11-35-26 bill DSC01388 Fred crossing a headland
enlarge 203KB, 1024x768 149 2016-05-09 11-35-54 bill DSC01389 Bill - If you enlarge this photo to original size, you will see that the alcove in the distance has several ruins (which we missed).
enlarge 335KB, 768x1024 150 2016-05-09 11-36-24 cindy IMG 9174 I thought that this was a Firecracker Penstemon but on closer examination I think it is a Scarlet Gilia.
enlarge 263KB, 1024x768 154 2016-05-09 11-50-32 bill DSC01392 Fred - still some water flowing in the wash.
enlarge 267KB, 1024x768 155 2016-05-09 11-56-28 cindy IMG 9177 Very scenic through this section.
enlarge 257KB, 1024x768 156 2016-05-09 11-56-40 cindy IMG 9178 Looking back towards point with impressive hoodoo, which is not visible here because we are looking at it end on.
enlarge 176KB, 1024x768 157 2016 ut -mike DSCF4361 Madison at the alcove for Shelf Ruin. Location is HERE.
enlarge 222KB, 1024x768 158 2016-05-09 12-00-44 cindy IMG 9179 Mike - if you enlarge the photo you can see another party under the alcove.
enlarge 140KB, 1024x768 159 2016-05-09 12-02-24 cindy IMG 9180 Shelf Ruin - there is another level above. We had lunch here under the alcove during a rain shower in 2005 when we were coming up canyon. There is a small ruin in the alcove. Photos from 2005: HERE and HERE. .
enlarge 79.83MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 160 mike stop action 08a.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. Mike had the wrong setting on his GoPro, and instead of a video he made a series of stop action photos. I put them together to make a jerky but still viewable video.
enlarge 186KB, 1024x768 161 2016-05-09 12-03-06 bill DSC01393 Meanwhile, Fred (keeping me company) & I are lagging behind have only made it a couple of hundred feet up canyon from the Impressive Hoodoo (the canyon wall on the right)
enlarge 193KB, 1024x768 162 2016-05-09 12-06-06 bill DSC01394 Looking up canyon very near the Impressive Hoodoo - I took this same photo in 2005. There was much more water flowing then.
enlarge 201KB, 768x1024 163 2016-05-09 12-10-16 cindy IMG 9181 Pretty patterns in the rocks
enlarge 118KB, 1024x768 164 2016-05-09 12-21-52 mike DSCF4363 A couple of granaries along the way - I didn't see these either.
enlarge 154KB, 1024x768 165 2016-05-09 12-21-52 cindy IMG 9182 Close up of the larger granary.
enlarge 225KB, 1024x768 166 2016-05-09 12-22-00 mike DSCF4365 Cindy making her way over a bend.
enlarge 156KB, 1024x768 167 2016-05-09 12-29-32 bill DSC01396 Fred crossing over a hump located HERE
enlarge 282KB, 768x1024 168 2016-05-09 12-43-24 cindy IMG 1171 Cindy - taking a Lunch Break at a shady spot by the stream.
enlarge 193KB, 1024x768 169 2016-05-09 12-43-32 cindy IMG 1172 Madison enjoying a Snickers bar and Mike giving his feet a break.
enlarge 248KB, 1024x768 170 2016-05-09 12-48-38 cindy IMG 9183 Bill getting his lunch and Fred cooling his feet.
enlarge 209KB, 1024x768 171 2016-05-09 12-54-24 cindy IMG 9184 Cindy airing out her "boots".
enlarge 155KB, 1024x768 172 2016-05-09 13-25-44 bill DSC01397 This stretch has some of the nicest hiking - wide open canyon with impressive walls on either side.
enlarge 136KB, 1024x768 197 2016-05-09 16-26-12 bill DSC01409 Ancient pictographs visible across the way.
enlarge 208.81MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 198 2016 ut gp may 9 003.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. Cindy preparing supper - Mike's video of Sheiks Canyon.
enlarge 160KB, 1024x768 199 2016-05-09 16-27-08 bill DSC01410 Fred getting tent ready as sun goes down.
enlarge 174.16MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 200 2016 ut gp may 9 004a.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. As dinner cooks (you can hear the Dragonflies), Mike makes a tour of the upper camp.
enlarge 258.78MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 201 2016 ut gp may 9 005.mp4
enlarge 170KB, 1024x768 202 2016-05-09 18-00-28 mike DSCF4389 Dinner is ready to serve.
enlarge 166KB, 1024x768 203 2016-05-09 18-00-36 mike DSCF4390
enlarge 53.49MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 204 2016 ut gp may 9 006.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. Washing dishes after dinner.
enlarge 129KB, 1024x768 205 2016-05-09 18-36-14 cindy IMG 9210 Getting ready for bed - Shelby pitching his tent.
enlarge 58KB, 768x1024 206 2016-05-09 18-40-50 madison IMG 6557 Moon over the canyon
enlarge 72KB, 768x1024 207 2016-05-09 19-07-24 madison IMG 6563 A little night time excitement was provided by this huge spider.
enlarge 236.73MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 208 2016 ut madison may 9 001.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. Run for your lives - Spider loose in camp!!!
enlarge 53.64MB, 1152x648 Download MPEG4 209 2016 ut whm may 9 004.mp4 VIDEO - Click Photo to View. Nothing to see here, but I took it for the audio of the frogs in the Green Mask Spring serenading us.
enlarge 593KB, 1152x576 210 next 2.png CLICK HERE for Previous Album (Day 1) CLICK HERE for Next Album (Day 3) CLICK HERE Back to Grand Gulch 2016 Folder
enlarge 593KB, 1152x576 211 next 2.png CLICK HERE for Previous Album(Day 1) CLICK HERE for Next Album (Day 3) CLICK HERE Back to Grand Gulch 2017 Folder
