Intentionally got up early to see sunrise below Mt Whitney.
Quit a long drive to reach a point which is actually only on the other side of Mount Whitney – Sequoia National Park.
It is beyond description approaching the biggest living beings on the planet – the huge Sequoia trees.
And we are able to proof – ‘Be Bear Aware’!
With a dram after dinner …
Create your dreams – every day
Death Valley – with the absolute overview of the valley from Dante’s view. And there was water in – as there was flooding last week which blocked the road to the lowest point ‘Dead Water‘.
So we reached down there the lowest point of the trip with the highest temperature.
Place for the night: Whitney Portal – as name gives indication: the entrance of the trail to Mount Whitney.
The campground is amazing. Walk three steps or just look into another direction … need to take the next picture.
With different lights the trees look enchanted.
And again – it is full of stars.
Create your dreams – every day
Car return – just put it back on the parking slot, make pics and report to Turo (the intermediary for this ‘privat’ rental).
Denver Airport – nothing to report.
Las Vegas – arrival a bit delayed. But after rental car pick up (with an upgrade due to availability) the necessary drive along the strip.
But laving the crazy city fast via Hyw 95 to west-north-west
Late arrival at the Tarantula Ranch Campground and setup of tents in the dark.
Create your dreams – every day
Landing in Las Vegas inbound from Denver is the start of the next stage.
The plan:
Create your dreams – every day
In total 2,104 Miles according meter.
Challenges mastered never had before on the track, but all went well and the JL done very well.
And again there was the proof – you need some tie raps when riding your Wrangler. For us it was necessary to fix the plastic wheel arch covers.
The highlight of the stage – and I think it is clear from the post – was The Wave. Still with the distance of several weeks this incredible creation of the nature is hard to handle.
Create your dreams – every day
Today not too much to report.
Back to Denver – having first signs of Indian summer.
Neighbourhood in Denver Uptown is quite nice.
Car is cleaned. Gear is sorted and packed for the flight to LAS.
Finally in the Crazy Mountain Brewery.
Create your dreams – every day
We are in Hanksville due to Long Dong Silver Spire. Not too well known (e.g. not to find in Google Maps!). But I follow recommendation from Utah guys I got in Silverton.
No signs, no marks are leading us … only car tracks and footsteps in the sand. And it is worth! The peak rises up in a basin not visible from street.
Next Goblin State Park – the crouching part. So funny to see these creatures … sorry, rock formations.
Time to kill till arrive at the accommodation. Oops there is a vineyard offering tastings.
The AirBnB could only be called funny (as the landlord).
Create your dreams – every day
Leaving Joe and his nice accomodation directly in Northern direction.
K7000 – the Cottonwood Valley Road. The direct connection to Kodachrome Basin.
I haven’t seen so many different rocks and rock formations as along this road.
Even surreal formations to be found.
Short circle in the Kodachrome Basin.
Along the Escalante Staircase
Following Capital Reef
Campground in Hanksville … decorated as the Wild West. And selling Ts with: „Where the hell is Hanksville?“. Hanksville is where Carls Critter Garden is!
But we are here for another reason – see tomorrow.
Create your dreams – every day
Get up early, stuff packed … drive in darkness and start hike at sunrise. We made it to be the first starting an being up there – despite the volunteers taking care also of us.
Actually it is a hike of 6.4 miles for both ways. With a little detour we make it 12 km.
I only have headline followed by pictures, pictures and pictures. These pics are not able to transport the feeling, the view, the emotions you might have stepping in there personally.
Nature has created something beautiful, gorgeous, awesome, unbelievable, … Unique in the world in this extend.
Judge yourself…
On the way
Entering The WAVE
Once in a lifetime
From above
In the Details
The Second Wave
In between
Way back
The moving pictures
The detour along Wirepass Trail in the slot canyon
BTW – the accomodation is perfectly situated. And we had the pleasure to sit together with the landlord in the evening. We had the honour and pleasure to taste two bottles of Joe’s Tempranillo while discussing about wine, family, history and politics.
Create your dreams – every day
First things first – 8am receive the permit for Paria Wilderness North including the mandatory safety briefing.
Also mandatory stroll around Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam. Water level is definitely dramatically low.
Stocking up the supplies (no services for the next days probably).
Checking out the last miles for the trailhead for tomorrow (might be dark if we will get up early enough) and …
… having a biker lying on the track. Fortunately no real harm to him (beside the fact he was full of adrenaline). The bike? Hey it is a GS … only one case mounting broke.
Now at the accommodation for the next two nights … unbelievable.
Create your dreams – every day
Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly was missed yesterday – so in the morning sun.
And there is an interesting and effective way installed to find the ancient dwelling down in the valley.
Nothing special about the way to the City of Page – especially the Taco Bell was not special.
A short evening sunset walk around the so called ‘New Wave’ – actually the Beehive Trail.
AND now we are in the vicinity to enter the daily lottery for the entry permit towards The Wave. And … drum roll … J succeed! We will go there day after tomorrow!!!! Actually one of the dreams come true – after trying over the at least the last 22 years.
We celebrate at the Grand Canyon Brewery and Distillery. Locals normally will not go there – our host told us. Too expensive and too much hype. True but it is exactly what you need to good as tourist (good food, interesting beers – I mean it in the German way of the expression, nice talks to others).
But the Whisky is not too bad … will try it further on. Current favourite – Bonfire.
Definitely the bottle designer did a gorgeous job.
Remark – it is laundry evening.
Create your dreams – every day
Day starts as stunning as yesterday ended.
‚Only‘ Target is to get and enjoy Canyon de Chelly (spell :shay:).
With a short hike to the (real) White House. One of the Navajo ruins down in the canyon.
And a second approach at sunset.
Create your dreams – every day
Good cold but sunny morning.
Moki Dugway – called one of Americas scenic byways – and it is.
Valley of the Gods – a great detour from the highway (again 4×4).
Mexican Hat – seen just from the road.
Where is Forrest … only suicidal people in the middle of the road.
Monument Valley – and of course the small (open to public) circle through the valley.
And at the end the light that the sun casts into The Valley.
That’s real great cinema!
Create your dreams – every day
Rough tracks was fun – and enough. So easy day planned in the Needles – the southeastern part of Canyonlands. Needles named according the numerous sandstone peaks.
Just pick up the ‘latest’ information at the newspaper rock. Some additional info received!
Nice start with short hike.
Second stop at the Potholes – nice micro universe. But the rock formations are even more fascinating.
It ends fast as a grey / orange / black wall is emerging.
And the fun – fortunately in the car – with the heavy hailstorm.
BTW – another entry into backcountry of Canyonlands would have been challenging due to heaviest thunderstorms.
Despite the weather along the day we decide to stick to the plan and use the Devil Canyon Campground. Good decision!
My God, it’s full of stars!
Create your dreams – every day
The night was quite windy and brought rest only in the morning.
Morning is bright and beautiful … dark clouds seem to be far away in the Northwest.
Finish the White Rim Trail of Island in the Sky Part of Canyonlands National Park with this start:
Around we see rain and thunderstorms.
But – what was nice and beautiful at the beginning finished with a bit of a challenge.
What goes up…
… must come down.
Now the western side of the park and therefore the trail is the Green River.
And of course the weather again. Receiving the warning about thunderstorms causing flash floods. In the end we are lucky – seeing the clouds and the rain around us, but hit only with short rain.
Sand road after leaving the park in the north covered with only some water.
With the gorgeous exit up to the Horse-thief trail.
The facts: 117 Miles – driving time for us rookies 13 hours.
BTW – the remains of the real challenging weather we see when returning to Moab. Street cleaning with wheel loaders are still ongoing.
Just for the records: Blanding is a dry town.
Create your Dreams – every day
The White Rim Trail of Island in the Sky Part of Canyonlands National Park keeps us busy for the whole day (and more!).
What an entry – the Shafer Trail.
This part of the park is the triangle built by Green River and Colorado River. Their meeting point is its edge in the south.
Nothing more to say than the pictures now following.
And the weather is getting more and more interesting.
I admit – this was just the beginning – even more remote as expected. But wait for tomorrow.
Sunset is calm.
In between again … it is full of stars … and the Milky Way … and the satellites … and the shooting stars …
Create your Dreams – every day
Going to sleep early provides the chance to get up early. And this is necessary. Entering national park from 7 am to 5 pm requires an additional entry permit. So let’s be there before sunrise. 
Delicate Arch (from different views)
Devils garden with Landscape Arch
Skyline Arch (from both sides)
Way to Tower Arch with some nice detours.
At that point, bones were aching (particular knee and hips) – so decision was easy: let’s get out, have a shower, go shopping (Canyonland supplies also have to be considered for tomorrow on) and reenter Archer National Park for sunset and a self prepared dinner.
But back for sunset at Double Arch!
And leaving with a glance into Park Avenue.
Create your Dreams – every day
Getting up early and leaving Crawford.
Even not planned, just had four the black Canyon of Gunnison – only 15 miles away.
What an amazing detour. Continuing what we have seen the day before, but rougher, deeper and … what to say … cooler.
Entering Utah and the landscape is even more empty. Having this in mind the small changes I even more remarkable.
The jewel in Cisco:
Have a great conversation with the lady about music of the 60s and the 70s and the performances of these actors up to today.
Without even really prepared to – entering the Colorado Valley with Highway 128.
Finally reaching Moab up with town centre Campground …
…and the beloved Moab brewery.

Create your Dreams – every day
Pickup of vehicle – frog green Jeep Wrangler.
Still in Denver: Bass Pro – the event to stock up your Outdoor gear.
Heading away from Denver – mainly in westerly direction. And then reaching the ‘pre‘ Black Canyon – Curecanti Natl Rec Area.
Crawford for the night AirBnB with beautiful Sunset Terrace.
Create your dreams – every day
Let’s see how much hiking my hips will bear.
Rough planning:
Create your dreams – every day
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