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SilverEagle6 · 08-27-2016, 05:34 PM

Note: so glad we went to Flaming Gorge....we will definetly come back. The USFS campground, Firefighter Memorial is super. All asphalt, spread out, great views, good dump. Slim pickens for re supply, and a little more expensive. Aside from losing my phone on our kayak trip down the Green River, still a great visit.

SilverEagle6 · 08-27-2016, 08:16 PM

Day 95.... We were in Hanksville UT, just east of Capitol Reef. Came here for a two day stay to hike some slot canyons, extended our stay two more days. Wifi is lousy tonight, will try to post later.

Utah Man · 08-27-2016, 10:05 PM

Glad you enjoyed Flaming Gorge and the side trip to Brown's Park - would have given you a tour of Clay Basin (if interested) had I been out there.

You might want to stop in and say hello to Randy at the Mesa Farm Market in Cainville, and try some of his goods. Humble little place, easy to miss, but be sure to ask him about Factory Butte and Swing Arm City. That's how I got to know him, trying to help solve long-standing land use conflicts on our public lands.

Enjoy the desert... hopefully cooling down a tad, and the monsoon moisture is moderating. We got lots of thunderstorms down that way a couple of weeks ago.

Regards - Ron

p.s. - If it suits your tastes, try the burgers and shakes at Slackers in Torrey (hot fudge malt is my favorite.)

SilverEagle6 · 08-28-2016, 11:56 AM

Ron, saw your post right before we left Hanksville. We drove past the Mesa Farm Market, but did not appear to be open....Sunday morning.

We decided to switch gears and will stay two days in Torrey. Will likely leave here Tuesday morning.

If any body has a great dry camping or boondocking place near here or on the way to Escalante, please let me know. Plan B is Mackinaw.

Utah Man · 08-28-2016, 12:57 PM

Suggest Singletree a few miles out of Torrey on Hwy. 12 - safe travels.

SilverEagle6 · 08-29-2016, 04:19 PM

Ron, you have any idea of road conditions for FS 149, 153, 155 going north out is Escalante to Posey and Barker Campgrounds?

Also looking at roads to spencer flats and hole in the rock. Leaving tomorrow am

Utah Man · 08-29-2016, 06:11 PM

Sorry, no help here - perhaps someone in the FS Escalante Ranger District office can answer your questions on road conditions. I would observe some of the gravel and back roads I went on this year down there were in pretty rough shape - not a problem for the F250 unless I had the AS in tow.

Safe travels - Ron

SilverEagle6 · 08-29-2016, 06:32 PM

Ron, thanks. BTW, I opted for a large chocolate and peanut butter shake at Slackers, great fun place. If you are in the Escalante area in the next 2 weeks or so, will,post where we are. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

John

Utah Man · 08-29-2016, 07:17 PM

John - sounds like you are having a great trip. I wish we were out on the road down there; Southern Utah is my favorite area. Work is keeping me on a tight leash, and the closest we make it is a AS club rally near the center of the state (see http://utahswasatchairstreamclub.wbcci.net) in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy!

westcoastas · 08-29-2016, 11:46 PM

John, I would agree with Ron regarding those road conditions over the mountain - we've had a lot of showers the last several weeks due to monsoon weather. A couple months ago they were fine but now may be rutted. They may be fine but probably safer to explore them once your parked and unhitched.

I highly recommend Spencer Flats Road if it's seclusion and a view of the canyons outside your window you're seeking. The dirt road is 10.5 miles east of Escalante and two turns below the top overlook of the Staircase on Hwy 12. There's a cattle guard right off the pavement and there's a spot right there but with your 30-footer you'll want to go 2 miles in, across Little Spencer Flat, up a short, slightly steep S-curve hill that's rutted from use and rain, and then 50 yards past a second cattle guard. There's a large turnout on the left with plenty of room for your trailer. I was visiting there two days ago and it was empty. There is a spur road that leads to a corral at the bottom of that hill where you can stop, check out the hill, and turn around if you decide to do so. Hole in the Rock Road has a very large flat area 150 yards off Hwy 12 that can accomodate 10 or so trailers; it's more accessible but doesn't have the view Spencer Flats does. You can get free drinking water for your trailer/jugs at the Visitor Center at the west end of town. Breakfast at Circle D Eatery, good pizza at The Outfitters Cafe, and all the hiking info and gear you need at Utah Canyons Outdoors store across from the cafe - talk to Caitie or Jim. Oh, and try to keep your eyes on the road if you come up Hwy 12 - the Hogsback stretch drops off on either side. There's a good reason why Hwy 12 was voted the second most scenic by-way in America.

SilverEagle6 · 08-30-2016, 06:52 AM

Ok, we'lol try Spencer Flats, especially with the opportunity to stop and and check out the hill.

SilverEagle6 · 08-30-2016, 03:12 PM

Just parked at spencer flats. Heading to town for some supplies. More to follow

SilverEagle6 · 08-31-2016, 01:02 PM

Just posted some more pictures of slot canyons near Hanksville UT. I have hundreds of them, but have probably posted enough from that area.

We had a great time in Hanksville. Small town several good places to eat, fuel up, etc.

Note: due to weather forecast of strong afternoon storms, we opted to stay in a campground. We selected Duke's Slickrock Steakhouse and campground. Sites are wide but on the short side, no problem for our 30'. We good 4 bars of ATT at E, not LTE. Place was very clean, great owners and the steakhouse was good, at least my fries were good. All in all, a great stop and would return.

SilverEagle6 · 08-31-2016, 05:31 PM

Just returned from a trip into Escalante. We met Westcoastas for lunch, actually we had ice cream. It is great to meet fellow airstreamers on the road, especially when we have communicated on the forums. Jeff was helpful in pointing out the amenities in Escalante, most notably for us, where to dump our garbage! He reinforced some things to do on our bucket list while here in Escalante. Tomorrow we head to some of the slot canyons. We will be meeting up again later this week. BTW, he was instrumental in helping us find the outstanding boondocking site.....thanks much!!!

SilverEagle6 · 09-02-2016, 11:19 AM

Day 101..... Still camped on BLM at Spencer Flats. Yesterday we drove about 70 miles down Hole in the Rock Rd to two slot canyons, Spooky and Peek a Boo. They are great. There were three other groups of hikers, two of them turned around, they claimed claustrophobia. We went up Spooky first, and I can see why...some tight places. It's called a nontechnical canyon, but we were challenged, mostly due to height of scrambles. Maybe I should say it was a challenge to me....Jeanne scampers up just about anything! Anyhow, both canyons were a lot of fun. Great day. Today is rest up and plan our hike for tomorrow. We are checking out Cosmic Ashtray and red break. We'll go into town and see about maps, and of course some fries! More to follow....

Check out the photos on Instagram link below.

westcoastas · 09-03-2016, 12:05 AM

We too took the counterclockwise route up through Spooky and then down Peekaboo. We were fortunate to meet a 6'2" photographer 2/3 the way up Spooky and he helped pull us up that rock fall scramble at the north end. We used a knotted rope down the front face of Peekaboo as I slid down on my belly, feeling for the moki steps. We met a Ranger later on and he told us about a cow awhile back that had wandered into Spooky, I think it was, but then got stuck. The rancher was called, tried to extricate his cow but ended up shooting it and then burning the carcass - to what end the ranger couldn't say (no, not for hamburgers). The ranger said he and a crew had to chop up the charred remains and lift them out. Hmm...the glamorous part of being a Ranger.

If you do get to Cosmic Ashtray, you may want to have a rope or nylon strap on you to navigate the convex slope near the bottom. Ask Caitie or Jim.

Some blogs and threads talk about National and State Parks and boondocking sites...but there's something to be said about French fry notations. Carry on you two and see you Sunday!

**GCinSC2** · 09-03-2016, 05:29 AM

John & Jeannie,

I looked at the pic's. A big congrats on ringing the bell, nicely done. Now what does ringing the bell mean? No real clue but think of reaching a goal, and another one and then finding another bell somewhere else.

Keep going.

SilverEagle6 · 09-04-2016, 08:20 AM

Day 103.... Today we break camp and head down to Shooting Star RV Resort. Plan to leave around 1pm. The rains deepened a wash, so I will have to knock down part of the wall. Aside from that, this has to be our favorite all time campsite....we hope there will be more.

We hiked yo Cosmic Ashtray yesterday. Blue sky, temp was perfect. It is about an 8.5 mile out and back. We saw clouds developing but they were moving southeast with heavy rain. And of course, it changed and it chased us up to the top of Cosmic. Heavy rains, small hail, and unbelievable winds. We made it to an overhang, already had rain jackets on, and we used our poncho to block wind. It was an exciting 25 minutes. We stayed only long enough to take a few pictures and then headed back. The previously dry washes were full of rushing water. Got back in time for some well deserved French fries and ice cream! Another great day and happy to be on the road to wherever we end up.....

SilverEagle6 · 09-06-2016, 04:28 PM

Day 105.... Still in Escalante. Had a quiet Labor Day. We visited some more with Westcoastas and explored town. This morning we set out on another fun, yet much gamer hike to Calf Creek Falls, specially the lower trail, about a 6 mile out and back. One of the prettiest falls I have seen, about a 250' drop into a pool and grotto. Just posted some pictures to Instagram link below.

Thinking about staying another day....more to follow.

**Rocinante** · 09-06-2016, 10:30 PM

Saw a forecast that said the desert SW might be in for some rain due to a tropical storm working it's way north up the Pacific coast. Keep a weather eye out for that sort of stuff, stay safe!