Many of the names belong to local ranching families who have run cattle in the area for decades. There were names carved there in this secret place from 50-100 yrs ago. We climbed down inside and saw the evidence of at least 100 people leaving their mark in the bowl. There are a few places on the top of these rocks where it is obvious the water had been caught in bowl type catches, but none as impressive as the 50-60 ft deep sandstone bowl that swirls around just like a toilet bowl. Looking to the east revealed rolling hills, red and white rocks, green plants, black rocks, and so much more.Īfter a few pictures and a quick breather we began searching for The Bowl. once reaching the top of this sandstone edifice my breath was taken away again – not from the hike, but from the view! I gazed off into the distance toward Gunlock, and could see for miles and miles beyond it to the west. Fortunately for me, our upward climb was over. It had me breathing hard and reminded me that I had forgotten to carry any water. This part was the steepest and most physically taxing portion of the trail. We exchanged pleasantries and continued on. We pressed forward, determined to reach the top, and passed by a string of hikers from the Resort. We continued to press on the steepening hill side and could see the hill top that was our quest up to our right. The cacti were blooming, and all the new growth was just budding out and saying hello to the world again.Īfter trudging through another short stint of sandy path we were back on the sandstone, following another small, dry stream that, when running, would send water down the red rock, from pool to pool. All the wild flowers that finished blooming a few weeks ago in St George were blooming here – almost 1000 ft higher. One of the great things about hiking in higher elevation is the delay in the season. We crossed the dry creek bed and head up into the sand on the opposite bank and followed the trail until we were crossing over sandstone. (Sometimes I prefer the solitude on a hike, but have to always remind myself that it is not a bad thing to see people when you hike, because if anything bad were to happen they may be the ones who save your life, or send in the ones to save your life!) As we headed down the lava rock maze, our eyes were met with a spectacular view of a mix of red and white Navajo Sandstone petrified dunes ahead of us – some as tall as a few hundred feet. We saw one of the vans from The Biggest Loser Resort and knew that we would not be alone on the trail. ![]() Off my soap box – on to the hike! We left the truck at the edge of a gully in the parking area. One of the most dangerous things you can do in the Southern Utah wilderness is get hoodwinked into believing that because it is cool you do not need water. I did this hike early on a Saturday morning before the heat really came on and its a good thing too, because I fell prey to one of the classic hiking blunders – I didn’t carry any water with me. The late winter has made for a very beautiful Southern Utah late spring this 2014 year! Every hike I have done this spring has greeted me with blooming wild flowers and cacti, long green grasses, and emerging life at every turn.
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