After last week's hike (and Can-Am excursion) to
Flag Point, we decided to cross off another hike on our winter list . . . that being Spring Point and the Clark Benchmark that was reportedly on top of it. After a chilly ride to the base of Spring Point, we were all glad to "pile out" of the Can-Am and begin our hike on a beautiful sunny morning. Although we didn't find the benchmark, we all agreed that the spectacular scenery made the hike worth our effort to get to the summit.
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| It was a cold 18 degree frosty morning! |
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| Our goal is to recover the Clark Benchmark on the south end of Spring Point |
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| The White Cliffs are actually multi-hued sandstone and stunning |
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| Petrified Navajo sandstone |
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| Walking on sandstone sure beats trudging through sand |
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| We dropped into this wash hoping it would lead us up to the saddle . . . it did not! |
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Out of the wash and into the loose sand . . .
We have found a good route that leads up to a saddle |
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| Neat rock formations began popping up all around us |
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| A little hoodoo and balancing rock |
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At the saddle and beginning our final push for the summit
We have to wonder how many people have ever seen this place?! |
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| A view of the hoodoo from above |
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| Can you see Tom & Kent? It's my turn . . . up I go! |
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| Colorful lichen |
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| Looking north toward the Pink Cliffs |
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The White Cliffs span many miles eastward from Zion . . .
That's Cutler Point, in the middle of the picture, and it has a benchmark on top . . .
Possibly next week's hike?? |
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Tom spotted a register hidden in this rock pile . . .
Now we know at least one other person has been here before us |
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We have reached the south end of Spring Point
(Looking southwest towards Johnson Canyon and the road we took to begin our hike) |
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| The 1954 Clark Benchmark 'should' be here somewhere |
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After much searching & digging (you can see the surveyor sticks in front of Tom),
Tom made the call that the benchmark was unrecoverable . . . or as Tom likes to say . . .
"They don't pay me to do this!" |
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| Moqui marbles |
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Back at the saddle
It was fun walking around these picturesque formations |
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As far as the eye can see . . . so many different colors and shapes Those white cliffs, on the other canyon wall, hide Montezuma Mine . . . a future trip! |
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| This unique sandstone fin caught our eye just before heading back down the sandy ridge |
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As we were heading home from the staging area in Johnson Canyon, we noticed
this arch along the east side of the road. Come to find out it is called Eagle Gate Arch,
but is located on private property and is not accessible.
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We've driven along Johnson Canyon Road many times before. How did we not see it?
It goes to show, that just because you think you've seen it all . . . you haven't !
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The highlight of this trip were the rock formations at the saddle where we started our final section to the summit of Spring Point. If you'd like to explore just the saddle it's only about a three mile round-trip hike to see this amazing landscape. Please click
here for a topo map and GPS tracks from Tom's Peakbagger.com post.
