March 15,2025

Been a long week, a bit under the weather but more on that later.

Last Saturday we took a ride on the west side of Page and ended up at Glen Canyon National Park leading to Lake Powell. Our senior pass once again saved us $30 entrance fee. Probably saved over $500 with this $10 card at all the National Parks.

I was amazed once inside that as you approached the lake you could drive most anywhere in the sand hills. At least it looked that way by all the tracks. The lake was beautiful but the water level, at this time of the year, is quite low. There were a few campers on the beach but you could have several acres to yourself if you wanted.

"Lone Rock" rising out of the lake.

                                         

All by ourselves as you can see. 

After leaving the park, I found an off road trail just down the highway a bit. We headed into the back country and up and down the dirt roads. At one turn that we committed too, there was a 4-wheeler and several guys parked at the end of the road. As we approached they headed out toward the rock mountain. We explored a bit keeping an eye on the Jeep. Ya never know!

 Back at the jeep we met up with the 3 individuals who asked us if we were out looking for gold. I asked if there was any and they said legend has it that there is gold buried in these mountains. They did show us where a cave-like structure was a short walking distance from our Jeep. As they left we headed where they suggested. Here is what we found.

Overhand was enormous.

The walk up was sand and rock.

There I am standing under tons of rock.

Looking out you see this lone tree, picture does not do it justice.

 As we continued on the trail, we had many rock obstacles to overcome but Diane said it was practice for Moab. At the top of the mountain was a sheriff's car with one person in it that we could see. He was overlooking the entire valley below. This is Navajo country. He remained there all the while we drove the trails. He lefts us alone, that's all that counts.  

On Monday we (I) decided we would do an "all day adventure", and so it was. We headed to the town of Big Water about 25 miles from Page, AZ to hop on a trail leading to another section of Lake Powell. The road was smooth at first then headed down the canyon wall to the lake. Easy enough to navigate and once at the lake we were the only one's there. 

Spotted a Sand Shark heading for the Jeep.

Part of the trail leading to the lake.

 When we left the lake area we took a right turn and continued on into the mountainous area. Maybe the first mistake we made. We drove this for miles and came across another Jeep and stopped to chat. He had just come from the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. He did not go over the top but turned around "when he thought he was going to die". We laughed and headed to the Staircase. 

The trail weaved its way back and forth up the side of the mountain. The first part was a bit rocky but we never felt like we were going to die and kept going over the top. The mountain stands at 8200 feet above sea level. 

The road we traveled lay below.

The view from on top the mountain was spectacular.

Once we got over the mountain we came to a sign that said Escalante 42 miles. Not far, right? Well it was already 2 PM and we travel maybe 10 miles per hour. Yup it was 6 PM when we ended this adventure by getting on an actual paved road, but not before we encountered some of the most difficult trails to date. 

We ran into rocky slopes and inclines, narrow passageways, snow and ice in the valleys between the mountains. There was no cell service and we did not see anyone except for that one Jeep around 2 PM. The rock formation and the area was beautiful and added to the adventure. 

Once we exited the trail at 6 PM, Escalante was the nearest town where we hoped to get some food. The only place for food was the local gas station and we needed gas to get home. Diane went inside to get dinner, (hot dogs) while I pumped gas. We googled Page, AZ (our campground city) and found out it was 3.5 hours or 205 miles away. 

We made the 205 miles most in the dark but got home safely.

 Now back to my first sentence; just after midnight I woke and could barely stand as I was so dizzy and had this terrible ringing in my right ear. I called for Diane and she helped me to the floor where I slept that night. We are not sure if I was dehydrated, had motion sickness or altitude sickness. I slept on the floor and it was the only thing that did not move. When I got up in the morning I went to bed and stayed there for the next 24 hours. It wasn't until yesterday that I felt like doing anything, and still don't feel back to normal. Thus ended this adventure, now on to the next.  

I will post several videos on the Facebook Group Page.