After two shorter warm-up hikes the previous day, we left camp on Saturday morning and drove north along the Spur to a drop-in point near Northeast Spur Fork. We were joined by Pat the previous evening at camp, bringing the total group size to seven. Our plan was to drop into Spur Fork (a tributary of Horseshoe Canyon) via a steep chute that is normally used to exit Northeast Spur Fork (aka the High Spur slot canyon, which I had completed with Chris a year and a half earlier). We’d only decided to take the Northeast Spur Fork route the previous evening. Another option was to do a shorter cross-country route directly from the Spur road, but there were some cliffs bands we weren’t sure were passable so we settled on the longer but more certain route. After a short hike from the vehicles we reached the top of the chute leading down the cliffs into Northeast Spur Fork. It quickly became clear that I’d done a poor job of informing the group just how difficult the climb down would be. I hadn’t really discussed it with Alan and Wade, with whom I’d originally planned the trip, because we all have similar climbing abilities, and hence the rest of the group didn’t know what was in store. Even though I’d dropped the ball, the guys pushed on and we all helped each other down the most difficult part near the top of the chute.
While descending the still-steep but easier part of the chute I noticed an overhang with some nice patinaed cliffs below it that I hadn’t noticed when climbing up this part on my earlier trip–it’s much easier to spot while descending. I scrambled over to check it out and was surprised to find some petroglyphs there! At first I thought they were modern fakes because one petroglyph was made with a flat tool, like a chisel, but others were pecked in the normal manner and looked legitimate. After photographing the rock art we finished the climb down, then descended Northeast Spur Fork to its confluence with Spur Fork.
At the confluence we turned south and ascended Spur Fork, doing our usual search for rock art, cowboy inscriptions, any anything else the group members found interesting. I found a couple of arrowheads, and we stumbled upon some old sheepherder inscriptions, the oldest dating to 1905. We hiked up Spur Fork until we were just past the confluence with Moqui Fork, where we turned around at a small spring and started heading back the way we’d come.
It was much faster going back down Spur Fork since we’d seen it all during the hike up. I think nearly everyone was apprehensive about the climb back up the chute. Everyone was quiet as we assisted each other up, this time using some webbing that Alan and Wade had in their packs, and nobody was taking photos. Once done with the climb, however, everyone was cheerier as we made the final ascent to the vehicles. The sun was near the horizon and shadows were growing long as I got to the top of the climb out, and I almost stepped on a tiny rattlesnake. It was so young that its rattle wasn’t well-formed and it didn’t give any warning. It was a relief to get back to the Jeep, where I downed some Powerade and opened a bag of salt and vinegar chips–perfect fare after a long hike! We’d covered 15 miles in about nine hours. The moon rose over the La Sals while the sun set behind the Henrys, providing a nice show during the drive back to camp.
Photo Gallery
GPS Tracklog and Photo Waypoints (Google Earth .KMZ Format)
GPS Tracklog and Photo Waypoints (Google Maps)
>>Huge relief at seeing the vehicles!<<
I love that feeling.
I wanted to let you know that I've been on the road, and am catching up with your recent flood of excellent trip reports. I read every word. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks, and I’m eagerly anticipating your report and photos. Loved the teaser photo–I’m sure I missed out on a good trip!