Hiking Around Shay Canyon - Part One

Already gave you a taste of Shay Ridge and Shay Mountain up in the Abajo Mountains.  Now it's time to go to a lower elevation and tell you about Shay Canyon.  The trailhead to Shay Canyon is located about 2 miles west from Newspaper Rock Historical Site (my odometer puts it at 1.8 miles), along Scenic Highway 211.

Actually, this part one was a second hiking trip we took into Shay Canyon.  The first time we climbed upward to the walls of the canyon to ooh and ahh over the rock art panels.  Well I'm going to make you wait for that, as I think it's important you discover all the wonders there.  The Pillar, or what looks, from the highway, like a jug handle arch until you hike to it.  The plant and wildlife; and there are dinosaur tracks embedded into the rock bed of the wash.  Funny story about those dino tracks; walking along I said to my hubby, "Hey hunny, these look like dino tracks!" to which he responded, "Oh no, that's just erosion from water that ran through here."  Sure, I believed that until I found an online BLM report which stated "dinosaur tracks can be found within the rock bed of the dry wash".  So what does that mean?  Means we have to make a third trip back to find those tracks again and photograph them; believe me, this is not a problem or hardship.

Shay Canyon is a beautiful, secluded and soothing place to be; the quiet is very welcome.  We traversed two well worn paths, but came across huge boulders that required climbing over.  That wasn't a problem for us, it was the dark clouds moving closer that deterred us.  Rain can lead to possible flash flooding; it's bad enough to be in an area you know well, but in an unknown area.  Well, either way, we're not stupid enough to take the chance of getting caught up in a flood; a dry wash can become a raging river in seconds!

Anyway, enjoy the photos you're about to see; hint, doing this hike in April or May is much cooler, heat wise, than the hot, hot months of June through August.

Our second time there was in May; the drought in San Juan County had become so severe, Indian Creek was dry as a bone.  Instead of stepping on wet rocks to cross over, it was sand, dry sand we walked over.  After crossing over, a short trail leads you into the bedrock of a creek that once flowed through this canyon area.

We walked towards the pillar first, it's shape becoming more defined the closer you get to it.  Then trail continued for another 500 feet from the pillar, and then the boulders appeared and the only way around was over them.

Pass those bushes in the background is where the boulders blocked the actual path, and climbing over them is required.










Walking back to the Pillar, we started off on a second path.  Now one thing I have to tell you is that some stepping upward from rock bed to upper rock bed will be required on both of the dirt trails.  A walking stick is a huge help for keeping you steady on the climb ups.





There were a few interesting caves above us on the canyon walls; where any creatures were living inside them, we couldn't tell.  However, as seems to be becoming a pattern, turkey vultures suddenly flew in and began circling us.  Sorry fellas, we're not going to be your lunch this time either!

Turkey Vulture in Flight

There is an abundance of plant and wildlife in this area; prickly pear cacti and yucca were in bloom, as well as desert globe mallow and tufted evening primrose aka sand lily (name is understandable as it was growing up from the sandy soil in the dry wash.  Sitting upon a boulder was a desert lizard watching us; we could almost swear he winked at us.

Up on a ledge is Blooming Yucca and prickly pear cacti below it.

Desert Globe Mallow (Mallow family)

Blooming Prickly Pear Cacti growing in large patches, not a single plant.

During the day, this Tufted Evening Primrose takes a nap, but in the evening, the blooms will be in colors of white, pink and purple.  This is also called the Sand Lily, and that is exactly the growth medium the plant thrives in...sand.







Even in death, the trees split and twist into unusual shapes of beauty in their own right.

That's my hubby, Roy, standing by the twisted tree.

Now here comes your teasers for Hiking Shay Canyon - Part Two.  From the original trail, there is an offshoot trail that leads up to the canyon walls themselves; a half mile of rock art drawings and cravings from native tribes who lived in the area, or just passed through and left a message.  As with any historical site, the only trace you should be leaving is a footprint in the sand.

There is always something new to see in San Juan County, so plan your trip and expect to spend a few weeks to months.  One or two days, well it's just unacceptable!

Mary Cokenour

An Easy Hike in Canyonlands Needles.

Must you come during the busy, hot tourist season between May and September?  The answer is a most definite NO!!!  Canyonlands National Park is open year long, beautiful all year long and has unique sites not featured in any other park.  National Parks are not cloned!  Our visit to the Roadside Ruin was in February 2017 with a average day temperature of 75 F; there were campers at Squaw Flat campground; and yes, you can bring your dog, but it must be leashed and can only be on the paved road, or at the campground.

So now all of you who claim that winter is too cold to go adventuring into Canyonlands, let me show you how much fun we had in one day.  This is basically part one and only about the Roadside Ruin. Immediately past the Visitor Center within Canyonlands National Park - The Needles District, on the left hand side of the paved road, is a pull-in area for the Roadside Ruin.  This is a 3/10s of a mile loop walk featuring plant life, outstanding views and a Native American granary.




At the trailhead there is an informational board and a box containing a trifold pamphlet; also a sign indicating no pets on this natural trail (no, it's not paved or concreted!)  Take in the views of one of the desert towers called "The Six Shooters" and see as far as Island in the Sky and Junction Butte which is along the White Rim Trail.

Island in the Sky

Junction Butte - along the White Rim Trail

Six Shooter (right side)

Along the trail will be wooden posts with a number, the number corresponds to the description in the pamphlet.  Wondered what the Native Americans ate or processed for every day use; now you'll find out.




#1 - Indian Ricegrass - gathered, dried and ground into meal.

#2 - Peppergrass - the seeds were dried and ground; they have a hot peppery taste and were used as a spice.

















#3 - Big Sagebrush - the bark was pounded and twisted to make cordage (rope); depending on the variety of sage, it was also used for seasoning, tea and medicinal purposes.

















#4 - Fremont Barberry - yellow dye from the roots, the wood is hard enough for making tools and the pretty yellow flowers will ripen into edible berries.















#5 - Four Wing Saltbush - the seeds are edible; the ashes of the wood were used as a baking powder.


















Now here comes #6, The Granary, which is hidden inside a small alcove which offered excellent protection from the elements and hungry wild life.  Granaries were storage bins for grains, corn, seeds and nuts; occasionally food items have been found in granaries, but most are empty.

There is a wooden fence which should not be climbed over to get to the granary; the stonework is fragile and do you really want to be known as the one who destroyed it?  Nope; and, of course, we don't want to see your name or initials scratched into the rock.  Bubble busting time...no one cares about your name!!!  Want your name immortalized?  Write a blog!

Moss

View from the Granary.

#7 - Narrow Leaved Yucca - sharp spines of the yucca were used as needles; the fiber was made into cordage (rope), woven into sandals and mats; flowers and fruit are edible while the roots were used as a soap.













#8 - Utah Juniper - the bark is fibrous which provided diapers and cradleboard padding; the berries were brewed for a medicinal tea, or dried, strung into beads.


















*9 - Pinyon Pine - the seeds can be eaten raw or roasted, using in baking and cooking; they are quite similar to Italian pignoli (pine nuts).

















The trail is often marked with a cairn (small tower built of stones) to keep you from losing your way. Surprisingly, you can lose your way on trails within the park if you do not follow the cairns, or lose sight of the trail itself.  We did a bit of wandering over the slickrock, found potholes full of water with signs of living creatures that have come up from the dried soil within.  The views, however, are spectacular!

#10 - Prickly Pear Cactus - the cactus 'leaf" can be split open to use as a pad on a wound or cut; the fruit is sweet, juicy, can be eaten as is, or makes an incredible jelly!















...and then we were walking back to the pull-in and our vehicle.  We had a bit of a snack; oh, don't forget your water!  This was a short walk, but with all of Utah, you will dehydrate and not even know is occurring; always have water with you!

Now I need to work on the photos for part two of our winter day at Canyonlands - The Needles District.

Mary Cokenour