Calico Peak

About a month ago we had intentions of climbing Calico Peak, but after several hours of trying to find a viable route to the base of the peak, we gave up.  Today we came back (after doing some research on Google Earth) to try a different route farther to the west.  It was a good plan and took us to the base of Calico with very few obstacles.  However, once at the base we encountered cliff walls with little access to the summit.

Tom and Lola circumnavigated the peak and located a possible route on the east side, but further exploration meant leaving Lola by herself for an extended time - something he didn't want to do.  If we had stayed with Tom, and watched Lola, we're pretty sure (from the pictures he showed us) he would have made it to the top.  Who knows, maybe we'll be back a third time to complete a successful summit of this unique peak!

We parked by these formations and started up a wash

We are pretty sure this wash will lead us up to the base of Calico Peak . . .
But then we were pretty confident the last time we tried!

Slabs of this shiny rock were in the upper portion of the wash . . . Mica, perhaps?

This unusual red sandstone formation had a white top layer

There's Calico Peak (from the west side) . . .  Kent & Tom discuss the game plan . . .
Work towards the base and then head south (right)

Hey, Tom aren't you gonna share with us? Just a bite!

The scenery is absolutely gorgeous!
(Taken from the west base . . . looking back at where we came up)

Taking in the views of the Paria River Valley at the southern base of Calico Peak . . .
Just visible (top right corner) is Red Top where we were three weeks ago

We were hoping this chunk of sandstone stayed intact as we walked below it . . .
We are now heading around to the east side

Time to head up . . . it was steep! 

After an unsuccessful attempt at a route to the summit, we took a break . . . 
We decided to reverse our path . . . 
While Tom and Lola continued on around Calico Peak (we should have stayed with them!)

Kent, Allison & Chipper are heading back to the bench to wait for Tom

Tom & Lola will circle the peak hoping to find a route and meet us on the other side

Hmmm . . . Someone was watching us!
Hey, Mr Elf, have you seen Tom and Lola?  Yes, they are over that way! 

This sandstone formation was so fragile you could peel it away layer by layer

45 minutes later Tom & Lola made it back around to the west side

Chipper spotted them and barked!

Lola was looking for us, while Tom was still searching for a way up to the top . . .
It wasn't long until we joined back and started back to our vehicles

 Vertical layers of sandstone . . . all different colors . . . like pages in a book

We've never seen a pack-rat (the animal kind, ha!), but they build some crazy nests 

The walls of the wash were so amazing . . . different sediments, colors & layers

Interesting banded cliffs along the wash

These were some of the biggest and deepest mud cracks we have ever seen!

Nice view of Gingham Skirt Butte on our way out . . . 
For Tom & Lola it was a 5.6 mile hike . . . for us 4.6 . . . we should have gone the extra mile!  

If you're interested in making this hike and would like to follow our route, please click here to find a topo map with GPS tracks from Tom's Peakbagger post.
 

Two Knolls & A Throne

The White Cliffs to the east of Mt. Carmel Junction have always intrigued us.  So, when Tom said he wanted to do a hike, we suggested Diana's Throne, a unique formation that juts out from the cliffs.  After researching the area and finding there was a benchmark with two copper nail reference markers (pretty rare), he was on board!  Unfortunately, just before reaching the summit we encountered a "cliffy" area that was potentially passable for us, but certainly not for the dogs, so we had to turn around.

On the way back through the Coral Pink Sand Dunes area, we were able to bag a couple of small peaks - Monument Knoll and State Line Peak (a name we made up).  Near  the top of State Line Peak, we came across a survey marker from 1909.  It wasn't until later that we realized the reason it wasn't on top of the peak was because it was marking the Utah/Arizona border.  What a cool find and a fun way to end the day!

On our way to Diana's Throne we passed through Coral Pink Sand Dunes . . .
 we spotted at least 100 deer during our drive!

The early morning sunrise illuminates Diana's Throne . . .
Our route followed the draw (fold) just to the left of the cliff face with the sunshine . . . 
The benchmark is located on top of the left most knob

These Ponderosa Pines really stood out

We had great views from this saddle of Diana's Throne

Chipper & Lola were focused on their masters

Tom & Kent tried to find a safe route up to the Benchmark . . .
No such luck . . . we'll be back without the dogs and give it a try some other day!

Looking west towards Zion and, in the distance, the Pine Valley Mountains . . .
Amazing views!

The sandstone was really spectacular below the Throne

It was a fun area to explore and not far from HWY 89

Someone has the Christmas spirit! 
 Hard to miss these decorated trees along the highway

Tom decided we needed to climb something . . . Monument Knoll 6060 ft fit the bill

Easy enough, a little sandstone and of course, sand!

On top was this huge rock cairn . . . but no register was found

Tom, Kent & Chipper were watching Lola . . . she was scouting for deer

Views from Monument Knoll looking back towards Diana's Throne
(Center spur jutting out from the White Cliffs)

One more little knoll (it had no name) . . . We'll call it State Line Knoll . . . 
 After we got back, we realized it bordered Arizona & Utah

There were a few beehive formations along the way

A light dusting of snow provided refreshment for the dogs 

Beehives are formed by geologic cross-bedding . . .
  The layers are deposited over the years . . . 
 The grooves are formed as wind and water erode the material

Near the top, we came across a couple of rock cairns to help guide the way

We were quite surprised to find this survey marker from 1909

See the leaning pipe?  This is the survey marker
To the left of the marker is Utah . . . to the right is Arizona

Nice views from the top

It was a fun day, with a few twists and turns . . .
We didn't conquer the Throne, but we did top two Knolls . . .
It was a great day to be outdoors!
 

Yellow Rock (Red Top & Hidden Cache) - Part 1

Every once in awhile, after you've completed a hike and reflect back on the day, you realize the memories made were very special and will stick with you for a lifetime - that's the kind of hike this turned out to be!  We decided to dedicate a post to each of the three legs of the hike - so make sure to keep scrolling after reading this section to catch the other two!

We began by shuttling vehicles - leaving Tom's Tacoma at the Paria Box Trailhead and then driving three miles north and leaving our 4Runner at the Hackberry Trailhead.  From here we began our eight mile hike by ascending a very steep ridge that took us to a mesa above Hackberry Canyon.  Once on top our first destination was in sight - Yellow Rock.

Tom is working his way up the steep, but short social trail to Yellow Rock

We stopped to catch our breath and take in the views of the valley below

There it is . . . Yellow Rock!

This unique Navajo sandstone dome is worth seeing . . . the swirls & colors are amazing!
(We did a post on Yellow Rock in November 2019 - click here to see more on this area)

We left our packs behind and headed for the top

This white stain is puzzling . . . how did it get here?

Majestic Castle Rock . . .
We are already planning on hiking this sometime in the near future!

The top of Yellow Rock is easy to walk on & the views make it worth the hike

 Lola & Chipper appear to be making plans for the best route to Red Top 

Hmmm . . . guess what?  Kent & Tom already have a plan in mind!
(What they are really talking about were the four F-22's that came "screaming" down Cottonwood Wash and reliving Tom's past as a F-4 pilot!)

So many textures & colors go every which way on Yellow Rock

This could almost be called Dalmatian spots!

Looking back towards Yellow Rock as we head for Red Top
(Notice our footprints in the sand - mainly cross country from here on)