However, a day later, after fortuitously running into other tourists who had hiked the same area, we were advised that the quickest way into the narrows of Buckskin Gulch was from the Wire Pass trail head. In fact, the narrow portion was reputed to begin less than a mile in from the car park! We had to give it another shot.
First stop... Breakfast at the Best Western lobby. I know what you are thinking. "Again a post about how they made their own stupid waffles!" No. That's the thing... I get up to the waffle machine, begin pouring the batter into the little cup and this lady takes the cup from my hand, pours the batter into the waffle iron, flips it, then looks at me and says "don't take it out until you hear the beep!" Excuse me?! The control freak in me was going nuts. Yes, she worked there, but why was she making my waffle? The lady continued to monitor the waffle maker and insist on making everyone's waffles. Meanwhile, back at the table Mark was smirking, watching me cringe at the lack of control I had to endure. He didn't even want a waffle until it became a challenge to see if he could make it himself. A minute later I heard him approach waffle lady and say "I can make my own waffle. I have done it before." And just like that, he took control of the waffle iron! I was a little bit jealous.
Then we were off to Buckskin Gulch again. Shortly after leaving the car at the trail head we entered what we assumed was the narrow area we had searched for the other day.
One slot canyon led to another, each more dramatic and photogenic than the last. It was not the easy hike that Sunday's hike had been... Open, flat and easy terrain to navigate. This end of the hike rapidly evolved into cool darkness. At times we had to drop over three foot high boulders and slide down the occasional log ladder. More than once I wondered if returning the same way was going to be more difficult. Not that the thought stopped me.
On the bright side, the path less traveled was truly quiet. Apart from a handful of enthusiastic photographers, there was no-one but us. The path opened up to a majestic cathedral-like formation and the trail ended at a T. At this point we knew turning left would soon take us to the fateful spot were Mark and had gobbled down pistachios and bananas just two days previous, then turned back.
The next quarter mile was more slot canyon delight and probably another 200 photos. Then it was time to turn back. Hard to imagine, but we pictured this hike as just a quick jaunt and didn't pack snacks. Yikes!
Back up log ladder, over the boulders, through the narrows and along the river bed... 90 minutes later, in the car and bouncing along the dirt road back toward Page. A large sandwich and a larger ice cream sundae awaited. I was starving, plus I now had thoughts of an afternoon flight over Bryce Canyon dancing in my head. :-)
There is nothing quite like a flight to make good day into a spectacular day.
Did I mention we planned our sunset to be viewed from Bryce Canyon?
My favorite thing about sunset flights.... By increasing altitude, you can rewind a sunset and play it again!
What a wonderful way to end a scenic vacation in Utah/Arizona.
P.S. If you missed the other 3 posts from this flying adventure, you can check them out here:
1. Over the hills and far away...
2. The time warp in Buckskin Gulch
3. Monument Valley at sunrise is just the beginning
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