My new motto is to take advantage of adventure opportunities. I’d planned a trip to the southwest beginning in late February or early March, but when I received an invite to a Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador adventure in Moab, how could I say no? It would be against my new philosophy! Besides that I was looking forward to meeting many of my hiking mentors, especially Christy “Rockin’” Rosander aka Lady on a Rock who began mentoring me 5 years ago. With so many lovers of hiking and gear, I knew I’d be in heaven.
Adventure #1 – Jeep Arch (aka Gold Bar Arch) and Culvert Canyon Trails near Moab
Tunnel hiking with my new friends
Train track hiking along the mighty Colorado River
So nice to have someone else lead the hike. Thanks Will Rietveld!
Look at all those Gossamer Gear packs! Plenty of variety, fit and function.
Jeep Arch not looking much like a jeep from the approach side.
Now that’s a jeep!
Looking back at Jeep Arch and beyond
Looking at the La Sal Mountains
Adventure #2 – Arches National Park, Windows Arch Trail
Ambassadors Sirena and Allison jumping for joy while Ryan (aka Guthook) captured their leaps.
The shadows are impatient for sunset views
Sunset at Balanced Rock
Adventure #3 – Needles District of Canyonlands, Lost Canyon & Peekaboo Springs Trails
The clouds and monuments were stunning on the drive to the trailhead.
Four granary ruins located in a canyon by April (Bearclaw) and Ryan (Dirtmonger)
Sometimes slick rock requires three to four points of contact; it’s all about crawling and scrambling!
Me, Jan (BeeKeeper), with fellow ambassador Joan (Hemlock)
Adventure #4 – Petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock
Adventure #5 – Island in the Sky District of the Canyonlands, Upheaval Dome Syncline Trail
Cactus and cryptobiotic soil (extremely fragile and long lasting ecological impact by one footstep)
Adventure #6 – Portal Trail near Moab
Looking down at the Green River and Moab
Other ambassador blog postings about this trip:
- Gossamer Gear Post by Dan
- Sirena’s Wanderings (Sirena)
- One Who Cannot (Steven aka Twinkle)
- Guthook Hikes (Ryan aka Guthook)
- Lady on a Rock (Christy aka Rockin’)
- Rambling Hemlock (Joan aka Hemlock)
For photos on Instagram, check out #GGUtahAdventures or @JansJaunts
Jan's Jaunts and Jabberings 