• Public Gallery  • Help  
• Join Now!  • Log In  • Feature Tour
 Cascade Bill (William Mooseker) | Home > Backpacking Trips > 2012-2019 Trips > Grand Gulch 2018 > 
Grand Gulch 2018 day 4
Click Here

Grand Gulch 2018
May 24, 2018

Climb out of Sheiks Canyon
Yellow House Ruin

Bill & Shelby Skirting Sheiks Canyon Pouroff

It was with great trepidation that I planned the trip coming out Sheiks Canyon as all of the guide books stated that it was steep and difficult. As it was one of the few remaining side canyons in the Grand Gulch system that we had not done, I felt that I would be able to make it even if they had to rope me up and haul me out!

We got a very early start as we wanted to make the most of the early morning cool and hike in the shade as long as possible. The first obstacle was a very steep climb up a bouldery slope, which we did without much trouble. At the top we dropped our packs and climbed up to a nearby saddle to get a view of Grand Gulch. The rest of the climb out of Sheiks was a little easier and quite enjoyable.

Along the way we stopped to scope out a small but very well preserved granary. Near the end of the canyon, we visited the Yellow House ruin (actually several structures), which was a great way to end our trip. It was only a short distance from Yellow House, to the rim of the canyon and then just a few minutes from the trailhead. After changing clothes and a quick sponge bath, we were on our way back home.

Note photo takers are given in the titles under the thumbnails:

Kickass Trekkers on this trip were: Bill Mooseker, Shelby Stong, Fred Stong, Will Stong, Mike Stong, and Allan Hoseth

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 24, 2018. Album by Cascade Bill. 1 - 123 of 123 Total. 526 Visits.
 Email a Comment
 Your Comment is
 immediately emailed
 to the album owner
Name:   Enter your comment
  
Email: 
Subject: 
Start SlideshowTo order prints and photo-products: 1. Select photos. 2. Click Order. 3. Select products.Select images and click to download to your computerSend Email of Selected Photos 
Enlarge photo 1
enlarge 335KB, 995x1024
1
picsnvids

To get the plugin just Google "videolan" or CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOAD for Windows. There is a MAC version as well. Disable the Quicktime plugin if you use Videolan. To view fullscreen videos click the icon on the top right of the video when it starts playing.

If you want to save photos to your computer, click the box under the thumbnails of the photos you want to download. Then click the "Download" button at the top of the album. Pick the size you'd like to download (Original is best)and the photos will be downloaded to a folder of your choice.



Enlarge photo 2
enlarge 174KB, 1024x768
2
will DSCF0648

Leaving camp - Because of the midday heat and the scarcity of shade in upper Sheiks Canyon, we had an early "get up and go" morning and we were on our way after a quick breakfast at about 6:30 MDT.

Enlarge photo 3
enlarge 355KB, 1024x768
3
bill DSC02405
Pool from the Green Mask Spring where we filled our jugs.

Enlarge photo 4
enlarge 245KB, 1024x768
4
bill DSC02406

Will hiking past pools of the Green Mask Spring - Just around the bend the canyon is blocked by a massive boulder jam.

Enlarge photo 5
enlarge 303KB, 1024x768
5
bill DSC02408

The initial boulder jam on the way up Sheiks Canyon - Shelby looking for an alternate way up while Mike and Allan are working their way up.

Enlarge photo 6
enlarge 323KB, 1152x647
6
bill DSC02409
The boulder jam - there were cairns marking the way.

Enlarge MPEG4 7
enlarge 496.83MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG47
05-24-05-50 Sheiks Hell Climb mike bill.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.
Video of the climb up the first boulder jam of Sheiks Canyon.


Enlarge photo 8
enlarge 344KB, 1024x768
8
allan gg299

Will, Shelby, and Mike - after we made the climb up the boulder jam, we dropped our packs and climbed to a saddle between Grand Gulch and Sheiks.

Enlarge photo 9
enlarge 301KB, 1024x768
9
allan gg300
Shelby & Mike

Enlarge photo 10
enlarge 262KB, 1024x768
10
allan gg303
Bill making his way up to the saddle

Enlarge photo 11
enlarge 290KB, 1024x768
11
allan gg304
Taking in the view

Enlarge MPEG4 12
enlarge 122.91MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG412
05-24-06-25 The Thumb viewpoint.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.
Video of the view from the saddle, looking into Grand Gulch


Enlarge photo 13
enlarge 271KB, 1152x647
13
bill DSC02410

View of the "Thumb" a prominent landmark in Grand Gulch.  We hiked past in 2016 as shown HERE.

Enlarge photo 14
enlarge 205KB, 1024x768
14
will DSCF0654
Telephoto of the Thumb

Enlarge photo 15
enlarge 217KB, 1024x768
15
will DSCF0651
Grand Gulch up-canyon from the Thumb

Enlarge photo 16
enlarge 165KB, 1024x768
16
will DSCF0652
Shelby & Mike

Enlarge photo 17
enlarge 312KB, 1024x768
17
allan gg308
Bill & Fred taking in the view

Enlarge photo 18
enlarge 311KB, 1024x768
18
allan gg309
Shelby & Mike

Enlarge photo 19
enlarge 257KB, 1024x768
19
will DSCF0653
Bill

Enlarge photo 20
enlarge 370KB, 1024x768
20
allan gg313

Bill & Shelby -Looking down from the saddle to where where we dropped our packs.

Enlarge photo 21
enlarge 357KB, 1024x768
21
bill DSC02411
Fred heading down to where we dropped the packs

Enlarge photo 22
enlarge 308KB, 1024x768
22
bill DSC02413
Looking back down Sheiks

Enlarge photo 23
enlarge 243KB, 1024x768
23
bill DSC02415

Looking up canyon from where we dropped our packs - note the rock below the headland at the center with the two dark streaks as it will be in the next couple of photos.

Enlarge MPEG4 24
enlarge 425.15MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG424
05-24-06-55 Sheiks Canyon Climb 1a.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Composite of videos from Bill and Mike for the next section of the hike up Sheiks Canyon. (You can tell mine by the heavy breathing!)

Enlarge photo 25
enlarge 389KB, 1152x647
25
bill DSC02417

Allan and Fred negotiate faint tread below the rock with the two dark streaks.

Enlarge photo 26
enlarge 429KB, 1024x768
26
bill DSC02419

As we made our way up canyon, we came across a small spring coming out of the mountainside - surely a wonder in such a dry year!

Enlarge photo 27
enlarge 410KB, 1024x768
27
allan gg314

The keeps close the to north side and passes through this grove of very old pines.

Enlarge photo 28
enlarge 342KB, 1024x768
28
allan gg316
The trail is pretty well defined through this section

Enlarge photo 29
enlarge 329KB, 1024x768
29
bill DSC02420
Looking across the canyon

Enlarge photo 30
enlarge 402KB, 1024x768
30
bill DSC02423

Mike and Will heading up to a ledge - we're finally out of the shade and into the morning sun almost two hours after leaving our camp.

Enlarge photo 31
enlarge 331KB, 1024x768
31
bill DSC02424

Allan making his way up the same slope - a little while before this, Allan had been led by some improperly placed cairns to the other side of the canyon, but he was able to rejoin us without backtracking.

Enlarge photo 32
enlarge 272KB, 1024x768
32
bill DSC02425

Allan (and Fred if you look carefully) making their way around the bend on the ledge that will lead to the second big obstacle going up Sheiks Canyon, a pouroff.

Enlarge MPEG4 33
enlarge 410.68MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG433
05-24-07-20 Sheiks Pouroff Part 1.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Mike's video of following the ledge down to a boulder arch and up over a pouroff.

Enlarge photo 34
enlarge 286KB, 1024x768
34
allan gg318
Shelby, Fred, Will, and Mike in the boulder arch

Enlarge photo 35
enlarge 279KB, 1024x768
35
allan gg319

Close up shot - note small cairn at their feet, which no doubt will be washed away with the next flash flood!

Enlarge photo 36
enlarge 274KB, 1024x768
36
allan gg320
Passing under the arch, the pouroff is visible.

Enlarge photo 37
enlarge 361KB, 1024x1007
37
bill DSC02427

I was a ways behind and got this shot of the arch whose boulders are dwarfed by the monster to the right.  You can see Mike beyond the arch.

Enlarge photo 38
enlarge 265KB, 1024x768
38
allan gg321
Bill entering the arch

Enlarge photo 39
enlarge 176KB, 1024x768
39
allan gg322

The pouroff ledge that you need to climb up - I don't know if the branch washed down or was brought to help one up.

Enlarge photo 40
enlarge 229KB, 1024x768
40
bill DSC02429

Looking back along the ledge leading to the arch - we were briefly in the sun but are now back in the shade.  You can see why the trail led us up the way we came as the pouroff below is too high to climb.

Enlarge MPEG4 41
enlarge 398.98MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG441
05-24-07-20 Sheiks Pouroff Part 2.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Mike's video of Will climbing up the pouroff.  When I arrive, my comment was, "Oh Shit!".  I went looking for an easier way but didn't find one.

Enlarge photo 42
enlarge 241KB, 1024x768
42
bill DSC02431

Will went back down and pushed me up and over the hump, and I got this shot of him coming back up.  Not a trivial task for old men!

Enlarge photo 43
enlarge 233KB, 1024x768
43
bill DSC02433
Looking back at the ledge

Enlarge MPEG4 44
enlarge 312.00MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG444
05-24-07-20 Sheiks Pouroff 3.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Compilation of Bill and Mike's video: Beyond the pouroff is a steep slickrock ascent that leads to another pouroff.

Enlarge photo 45
enlarge 312KB, 1152x647
45
bill DSC02435
Mike going up slickrock to next pouroff

Enlarge photo 46
enlarge 245KB, 1024x768
46
allan gg323

Bill going up slickrock around a big rock slab.  This rock is located HERE.

Enlarge photo 47
enlarge 234KB, 1024x768
47
allan gg324
Big Rock Slab

Enlarge MPEG4 48
enlarge 383.16MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG448
05-24-07-20 Sheiks Pouroff Part 4.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Mike's video - continuing up slickrock past the next pouroff.  Shelby found an easier way for me to get up.

Enlarge photo 49
enlarge 261KB, 1024x768
49
bill DSC02437
Will climbing steep slickrock to avoid the pouroff

Enlarge photo 50
enlarge 318KB, 1024x768
50
allan gg325
Mike, Will, and Fred

Enlarge photo 51
enlarge 235KB, 768x1024
51
allan gg331
Mike

Enlarge photo 52
enlarge 334KB, 1024x768
52
will DSCF0655

Bill & Shelby: this is the section right above the 2nd pouroff

Enlarge photo 53
enlarge 285KB, 1024x768
53
allan gg332
Bill climbing up the slickrock

Enlarge photo 54
enlarge 368KB, 1024x768
54
allan gg333
Shelby retrieving his pack

Enlarge photo 55
enlarge 241KB, 1024x768
55
will DSCF0656
Allan

Enlarge photo 56
enlarge 282KB, 1024x768
56
will DSCF0657
Fred

Enlarge MPEG4 57
enlarge 66.84MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG457
05-24-07-39 Sheiks Canyon Breaktime 1.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Beyond the pouroff, the canyon bends to the left and we took a break in the shade where the sandstone layers formed convenient steps for sitting.

Enlarge photo 58
enlarge 309KB, 1024x768
58
allan gg334
Checking the map at our break

Enlarge photo 59
enlarge 316KB, 1024x768
59
allan gg335

Shelby looking at the map while Bill is getting a reading on his GPS.

Enlarge photo 60
enlarge 330KB, 1024x768
60
allan gg336

Shelby, Fred, Bill, Mike, and Will - you can see the "steps" in the sandstone.

Enlarge photo 61
enlarge 226KB, 1024x768
61
allan gg339
Mike having a snack

Enlarge photo 62
enlarge 284KB, 1024x768
62
allan gg343
Fred, Bill, & Mike

Enlarge photo 63
enlarge 359KB, 1024x768
63
allan gg346
Desert life is hard - as attested by an old snag.

Enlarge photo 64
enlarge 266KB, 1024x768
64
allan gg348

Bill, Fred (in shadow) and Will: After taking our break at the bend, we headed up the slickrock to find another pouroff. Note the rock above Will as it will be featured in the "Sheiks Canyon Birthing Canal" video further on.

Enlarge photo 65
enlarge 301KB, 1024x768
65
allan gg349
Bill and Fred avoiding boulders clogging the channel.

Enlarge MPEG4 66
enlarge 229.99MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG466
05-24-08-13 Sheiks Birthing Canal 1.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Mike's video of Fred and Will being reborn through the "Sheiks Canyon Birthing Canal". A much harder way than the climb to the left. The way leads to another small pouroff with seeping water and a small pool.

Enlarge photo 67
enlarge 383KB, 1024x768
67
allan gg350
Water seeping through the layers of sandstone

Enlarge photo 68
enlarge 361KB, 1024x768
68
allan gg351
Unusual plant clinging to the rock - see previous video for closeup.

Enlarge photo 69
enlarge 272KB, 1024x768
69
allan gg352
Shelby giving Bill a hand up the last pouroff as we enter upper Sheiks.

Enlarge photo 70
enlarge 275KB, 1024x768
70
allan gg353
Mike, Fred and Will

Enlarge MPEG4 71
enlarge 86.62MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG471
05-24-08-16 Sheiks Canyon.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Mike's video: Allan, Shelby, and Bill leave the last pouroff behind and enter upper Sheiks.  Note the canyon is much wider and the walls are much lower.

Enlarge photo 72
enlarge 264KB, 1024x768
72
allan gg354
Shelby, Bill & Mike, who is taking a video.

Enlarge photo 73
enlarge 384KB, 1024x768
73
allan gg355

Sand and Slickrock - typical of this section of Sheiks.  Will and Fred are ahead in the distance

Enlarge photo 74
enlarge 392KB, 1024x768
74
allan gg356
Bill above a slickrock stairway

Enlarge photo 75
enlarge 340KB, 1024x768
75
will DSCF0661

Over the years, flood waters have cut down through the sandstone layers

Enlarge photo 76
enlarge 340KB, 1024x768
76
will DSCF0662
A primrose blossom along the way

Enlarge photo 77
enlarge 358KB, 1024x768
77
bill DSC02440

Will forging ahead along the broad wash of the upper Sheiks

Enlarge MPEG4 78
enlarge 173.52MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG478
05-24-08-58 Small Ruin Documentary 1 bill  will.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Bill & Will's video documentary of a small ruin located just off the wash of upper Sheiks

Enlarge photo 79
enlarge 339KB, 1152x647
79
bill DSC02442
Will & Shelby investigate the granary

Enlarge photo 80
enlarge 259KB, 1024x768
80
allan gg359
Will and Shelby - the granary was tucked in under this rock shelf

Enlarge MPEG4 81
enlarge 123.07MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG481
05-24-08-59 Small Ruin Documentary of the Documentary mike.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.
Mike's Documentary of the Documentary!


Enlarge photo 82
enlarge 219KB, 1024x768
82
allan gg361
Will at the granary

Enlarge photo 83
enlarge 234KB, 1024x768
83
allan gg362
Mike inspecting the granary

Enlarge photo 84
enlarge 388KB, 1024x768
84
will DSCF0664

Fred in the wash; Allan sitting and taking photos; & Bill on his way up to the ruin

Enlarge photo 85
enlarge 290KB, 1024x768
85
bill DSC02444
Mike making his "documentary"

Enlarge photo 86
enlarge 364KB, 1024x768
86
allan gg363

I didn't want to climb up so I handed my camera to Mike to take photos of the pictographs above the ruin.

Enlarge photo 87
enlarge 239KB, 1024x768
87
bill DSC02452

Very well preserved "Horse Collar" door and entrance step to the granary

Enlarge photo 88
enlarge 226KB, 1024x768
88
bill DSC02456
Faded pictographs above granary

Enlarge photo 89
enlarge 245KB, 1024x768
89
bill DSC02458
Another view

Enlarge photo 90
enlarge 230KB, 1024x768
90
bill DSC02460

Concentric squares on a diagonal; a circle with an off center cross; and an vague figure to its right

Enlarge photo 91
enlarge 287KB, 1024x768
91
bill DSC02464
More designs to the right of the previous photo

Enlarge photo 92
enlarge 233KB, 1024x768
92
bill DSC02469
View of the construction of the granary

Enlarge MPEG4 93
enlarge 265.84MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG493
05-24-09-30 Sheiks Ledge Break.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Mike's video: After hiking in the sun for quite a while, the cairns led us up out of the wash onto a ledge, which we would stay on past the Yellow House ruin. After hiking in the wash for quite a ways, it was nice to take a break in the shade here.

Enlarge photo 94
enlarge 286KB, 1024x768
94
bill DSC02470

About a half hour past the small granary, we came to another ruin, with a rather incongruous log sticking out of it. If you look closely or enlarge the photo you can see the first ruin of the Yellow House complex a short distance ahead.

Enlarge photo 95
enlarge 249KB, 1024x768
95
bill DSC02472
View of window in ruin

Enlarge photo 96
enlarge 274KB, 1024x768
96
bill DSC02474
As this view shows, there wasn't much room in this ruin.

Enlarge photo 97
enlarge 205KB, 1024x768
97
bill DSC02475
Interior of ruin

Enlarge photo 98
enlarge 326KB, 1024x768
98
allan gg364

Down canyon end of first ruin in Yellow House complex. (note this photo is out of sequence as Allan had gone back to look for his glasses - if you enlarge the photo, you can see Mike and Bill already on their way out).

Enlarge photo 99
enlarge 274KB, 1152x707
99
bill DSC02476
This is the Yellow House complex.

Enlarge photo 100
enlarge 288KB, 1024x768
100
bill DSC02484

Edge on view of the down canyon ruin of the Yellow House complex - this ruin is in disrepair.

Enlarge photo 101
enlarge 293KB, 1024x768
101
bill DSC02480
View of the interior of this ruin

Enlarge photo 102
enlarge 262KB, 1024x768
102
bill DSC02478

Mike, Shelby, and Will explore the complex - Allan has going back to look for his glasses.

Enlarge MPEG4 103
enlarge 382.68MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG4103
05-24-09-44 Yellow House Ruin.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.
Mike's video of the Yellow House complex


Enlarge MPEG4 104
enlarge 251.56MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG4104
05-24-09-45 Yellow House Ruin 2.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Will's video of the Yellow House complex - showing the interior of the Yellow House and the yucca ties holding the roof to the beams.

Enlarge photo 105
enlarge 260KB, 1024x768
105
bill DSC02482
Roof beams of the Yellow House

Enlarge photo 106
enlarge 243KB, 1024x768
106
bill DSC02483

Yucca ties on the roof beams - I think that the name "Yellow House" comes from the yellow tinted clay as seen here.

Enlarge photo 107
enlarge 285KB, 1024x768
107
bill DSC02481

Roof structure of the Yellow House - Note small branches with mud slurry overlay.

Enlarge photo 108
enlarge 264KB, 1024x768
108
bill DSC02485

Complicated structure of interlocking rooms - we were wondering how the access of the room with the window in the back wall was accessed. Note the opening in the foreground shows that this wall was breeched at some point - but there was no rubble near the opening.

Enlarge photo 109
enlarge 282KB, 1024x768
109
bill DSC02486

Side wall of the Yellow House - note the large flat stones at the bottom of the wall. These are applied as a veneer as you can see in the next photo. Were they decorative or did they serve some other function.

Enlarge photo 110
enlarge 258KB, 1024x768
110
allan gg365

Front wall of the Yellow House has been destroyed - note the veneer rocks at the right bottom.

Enlarge photo 111
enlarge 223KB, 1024x768
111
bill DSC02487
Roof beam embedded in wall

Enlarge photo 112
enlarge 273KB, 1024x768
112
bill DSC02488
Roof beams embedded in wall

Enlarge photo 113
enlarge 253KB, 1024x768
113
allan gg366

Room or granary? Note roof beams are perpendicular to those in the other Yellow House room. Interior of this room shown in next photo.

Enlarge photo 114
enlarge 251KB, 1024x768
114
bill DSC02479

Interior of the room shown in the previous photo - note that there are no yucca ties here and the branches spanning between the beams are also larger.

Enlarge photo 115
enlarge 265KB, 768x1024
115
bill DSC02489

Leaving the Yellow House, it was a short hike to the canyon rim - along the way was this tunnel made by a huge slab leaning against the canyon wall - you don't go through it though.

Enlarge MPEG4 116
enlarge 189.27MB, 1152x648
Download MPEG4
MPEG4116
05-24-10-25 Sheiks canyon rim.mp4
VIDEO - Click Photo to View.

Finally out of Sheiks and hiking along the rim. Fred & Shelby had gone on ahead to do the car shuttle.  For the record, the mountain in the video is probably Moss Back Butte or might be The Wingate as seen HERE from the Gov't Trail in 2017.

Enlarge photo 117
enlarge 353KB, 1024x768
117
allan gg372
Allan & Bill -After a strenuous hike, the septuagenarians made it!

Enlarge photo 118
enlarge 404KB, 1024x768
118
bill DSC02490

This is a primitive campsite near the end of the road where we waited for Shelby to return - Will is taking a photo of Allan

Enlarge photo 119
enlarge 339KB, 1024x768
119
allan gg374
Allan - still going strong after a long hike!

Enlarge photo 120
enlarge 270KB, 1024x768
120
allan gg377

Allan enjoying a welcome but warm Busch beer at the end of the hike.

Enlarge photo 121
enlarge 227KB, 1024x768
121
allan gg378

Allan stowing the gear in the truck. After washing up as best we could and changing clothes we headed out for the Homestead Steak House in Blanding where we met Fred and enjoyed a non-freeze dried meal!!

Enlarge photo 122
enlarge 289KB, 1024x768
122
allan gg380

Leaving the Budget Motel in Burley, Idaho after our "deluxe" Continental breakfast(?).

Enlarge photo 123
enlarge 189KB, 1152x643
123
the end-2400px.png
CLICK HERE for Previous Album
CLICK HERE Back to  Folder


 
 Select All.  
 
Album Properties. Email Album. Send Invitation. Add to Website. Share URL