Winter Camp Ridge

IntrepidXJ

ADVENTR
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
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Saturday, November 1, 2014

Winter Camp Ridge is an obscure place located north of Arches National Park near The Highlands. Most people bypass this area as they are heading elsewhere in the region, but I always seem to be drawn back to this location every so often. My first time here was when I was out exploring the backroads of the Yellow Cat area and took the sandy two-track onto Winter Camp Ridge to see where it went. The road ended up bringing me to the Arches National Park boundary not too far from Delicate Arch. Since that first trip I have always wanted to try and hike to Delicate Arch from this road. That's what Diane and I planned to attempt this weekend.

We woke up early and left home before sunrise to drive west on I-70. Shortly after entering Utah we watched the sun rise through the clouds on the Book Cliffs to the north.

There were some nice clouds with spotlight from the sunrise on the distant Book Cliffs.


Edge of the Storm
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Book Cliffs Light
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As we followed the Yellow Cat Road onto The Highlands we watched the sun break free of the clouds.


Clearning Clouds
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On one of my first visits to this area I discovered a short walk-in slot canyon that has become more popular in recent years that I wanted to return to so I could try and photograph it better. We started the day with a hike into this short but scenic slot canyon.

Entering the start of the narrows.


Entrance
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Narrow Path
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There was some nice reflected light around each corner.


Two Tone
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

At the end of the slot where it boxed up and was it's deepest and darkest.


Dark Passage
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A nice glow coming from around the corner.


Side Canyon Glow
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The light was even better on our way back out.


Into the Light
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Around the Bend
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Slot
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Diane enjoyed the short hike.


In a Slot
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Leaving the narrowest part of the canyon.


Winter Camp Wash
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Returning to my Jeep on Winter Camp Ridge. While we were in the slot canyon the wind had picked up and kicked a lot of dust into the sky. Sand also rained down on us in parts of the canyon from above.


Winter Camp Ridge
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After our first hike we finished the drive to the end of the road at the Arches National Park boundary and went to check on a geocache I hid out here in 2010. Diane and I had visited this geocache earlier this year and it appeared that no one else had found it since then.

Yep, it's still there.


Still There
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We were planning on setting up camp near the end of the road, but since it was so windy out we decided to hold off on setting up our tent until later in the day. Instead we headed back to start on our second short hike of the day. It has been a while since I'd been out to Covert Arch, so we hiked out to that impressive arch next.

Diane is standing under Covert Arch to add a little scale. It's a pretty good-sized arch.


Covert Diane
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Covert
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Underneath the arch.


Under Covert
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

View from the other side of the arch over the Lost Spring Canyon area and towards Devil's Garden in Arches National Park.


Lost Spring View
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As we were hiking back to my Jeep from Covert Arch we noticed that the winds still had not let up and were blowing at around 35-40mph. We weren't really looking forward to camping in these windy conditions and still had a few hours left in the day, so I suggested that we cancel the overnight trip and hike to Delicate Arch this evening before heading back home for the night. Luckily we weren't far from home which made it an easy decision. We drove back to the end of the road and started our hike to Delicate Arch.

When we first arrived at Delicate Arch there were surprisingly few people around and Diane wanted a photo under the arch. A large group of people showed up shortly after I took this photo.


Diane Under Delicate Arch
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

View from the other side of Delicate Arch.


Deilcate Arch
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It turns out that hiking to the arch from this area is not only about the same distance as the normal trail from the Wolfe Ranch, it's also a lot easier and quicker since there isn't much elevation gain. I think I'll be hiking to Delicate Arch from this area from now on when I'm not already in the park!

We made it to the arch much quicker than we thought it would take, so we sat down and rested while figuring out what to do. It was still very windy out and sunset was still a few hours away so we decided to hike back out and head home so we could get an early dinner.

>> Winter Camp Ridge Photo Gallery
>> The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

Featured image for home page:
slide.jpg
 
Interesting report from a partly unknown area.
Hope you can heading back soon to enjoy the Delicate Arch at night. It's a very special place.


Gesendet von meinem iPad mit Tapatalk
 
I appreciate that you included Diane for scale the arches. I didn't envision them being that large until you pointed out that she was standing underneath. Great report as always.
 
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