Richardson Amphitheater, Utah
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Fisher Towers Richardson Amphitheater, Utah |
October 15, 2018
Best of the Best Tour: Day-7
Yesterday, Gary and I visited the Great Gallery, which just happens to be the finest collection of pictographs in the world (see Hike #115). Although that will be a tough act to follow, I have promised my companion a visit to yet another unique place.
The Colorado River and the La Sal Mountains
Our parking lot is in view down there
In fact, the parking area is filled to overflowing; so we must find a space down the road a ways.
The trail leads right over the top...
...then down into the canyon
As Gary and I start out of the gorge, we spot the Corkscrew formation. As I mention that it is the area's favorite climbing destination, a climber conveniently helps me to demonstrate the fact:
Atop the Corkscrew
Wow! Perhaps we'll get another show during our walk.
Most of the Fisher Towers
Presently, we meet a couple of guys who have just completed their own ascent of the Corkscrew. Gary suggests that those who get pleasure out of risking their lives in such a fashion surely must have DNA that differs from ours.
The two adults just finished their climb
We'll continue to the right, thank you
Numerous climbers are in the neighborhood. Even though the sandstone is covered by mud, it must be strong enough to support this activity.
Ascending the Stolen Chimney
A belly-crawl onto the Diving Board
Will he or won't he?
Yes!
Apparently, the three climbers over on Party Ledge cannot see the action
at all. The belayer takes the obligatory evidence-shots.
Echo and Cottontail Towers
A couple of arches at the top
A stiff breeze is serving as a reminder of unseasonal air temperatures.
It's too cold in here
I scurry for the next sunny spot, which just happens to provide a view of
America's tallest free-standing tower:
Titan Tower is about 900 feet high
As Gary and I bask in the sunlight, there is more action to photograph back at Ancient Art.
Another climber is making the attempt
I think I can...
Yes!
She is smiling, and deservedly so; for do that in a strong breeze cannot be fun. In fact, it is cold enough that I am rapidly losing in interest in this outing. Quitting short of the end of the trail is not what this tour is about, but I would rather feel incomplete than cold. Gary is amenable to heading back from here as well.
We won't do the ladder section today
I miss The Cobra, a remarkable formation that collapsed in July of 2014, presumably during a lightning storm.
A Cobra-substitute
Heading back
Rappelling down the yellow rope ⇔
Two windows
The Thinker
The distant parking lot is waiting
§: Well, I was hoping for some excitement on the cliff-tops, and
we certainly got plenty of that. It was disappointing, however, not to have
made it finally to the end of this trail, if only for the best views of The Titan.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Excitement |  |
