Grand Staircase-Escalante NM
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Cedar Wash Arch Grand Staircase-Escalante NM |
April 18, 2014
After yesterday's grueling outing in Coyote Gulch, I could use a bit of a break; besides, the weather isn't very good anyway. Today I will search for an arch that is close to town, but for which I don't seem to have the best coordinates.
Following one blogger's guideline, I head south from Escalante on Center
Street, which becomes Cedar Wash Road. Within a few miles the pavement
ends; but the following road is quite pleasant and suitable for any car.
At the 9-mile mark I pull over as instructed and head down into the
wash. Shortly, however, realizing that I have no rain gear, I retrace
my steps to get some.
Back at the car, I decide to try another approach. Continuing down
the road, I cross a yellow-colored cattle guard. One mile farther
on, there is a promising spur to the right that leads to the edge of the
wash. My trek will start here instead.
It seems right to head toward the left, so I do. Within minutes I find myself on a long white slickrock slab.
Fun walking on Fiftymile Bench
Hoping to find a way down off this rock, I plod onward, bypassing one potential opportunity. After yesterday at Coyote Gulch, I am not anxious to press my luck.
Not here — too steep
Just a bit farther along, however, a perfect setup appears, enabling a traverse on a gently sloping slab all the way to the bottom of the wash. From here it seems right to head back to the north.
Within ten minutes I spot a promising formation. It appears that I have unknowingly bypassed the arch.
That sure looks like an arch over there
Yep. This is it.
Cedar Wash Arch, north side ⇔⇔
Now I must go back around to see what I missed.
Cedar Wash Arch, south side
What fun it always is to search for and actually find something special.
Tufted Evening Primrose
Heading back
As I pass by the alternate ascent I gaze up the slab. It does look pretty easy, but I will remain in 'relax mode' today. Just before starting up the more friendly slope I look back, and there is the arch, partially obscured by the rock wall behind the opening.
It was there all the time
The easy way out of the wash
Interesting patterns
Now that I am back on top, I wonder what the arch looks like from up here; so I walk northward to find out:
Cedar Wash Arch from above
After taking a couple of photos, I turn around and discover a trail that returns me to the car within two minutes. Go figure.
The direct route back
§: So if all you want is to view an arch, that can be accomplished
in five minutes; but if you are interested in having a little fun, then take
my short loop.
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