I’m happy to announce that last Thursday I wrapped up my Zion to Arches Hike. 🙂 As usual, not everything went exactly according to plan, but… after last year’s abbreviated hike I’m elated (and relieved) that I was able to go the distance. It took a bit longer and more walking than I expected, but it was a great trip and well worth it. I walked through all five of Utah’s National Parks over the course of 44 days and 726.5 miles. The final tally shocked me as it narrowly beat my Nevada to Colorado Hike by 1.5 miles!
The full report will be coming soon along with a bunch of photos, VR media, and eventually the trip video. Until then, here’s a recap gallery of the photos I posted to Instagram and Facebook along the way and a copy of the final track:
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- Kolob Canyons from Pace Knoll
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- Day 3: woke to 3″ of snow! Making for a chilly, slow start.
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- overlooking Heaps Canyon
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- Day 5: Pretty sure I took this same shot for the first time 29 yrs ago! Nothing like a hike up Angels Landing to make one realize what seems impossible is quite doable with one careful step at a time.
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- Day 7: Sun down, Moon up in The Barracks. Such a place of awe, and yet somewhat eerie at the same time.
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- Day 8: Traveling up the East Virgin River through The Barracks. I love it so.
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- Day 9: Sundown on the Elkheart Cliffs east of Zion. Now… on towards Bryce!
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- Day 13: chilly 9100′ view at Rainbow Point in Bryce. High points make good spots for cell towers, so… Helloooo! Now onward to the Paria.
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- Day 16: after 2 days of snow, hail, and rain… the sun came out today and it was glorious. Warmed up on some side hikes while the solar panel charged batteries.That’s where I met this tall fellow with a strange hat. Just kidding — I haven’t seen another soul for nearly 3 days!
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- D21: oh how I miss the snow/rain! Just joking, but a little extra water would be nice as I make my way through these arid canyons with temps in the 90s. Anxious to get to Escalante region.
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- Day 22: shocked to find service again in this remote spot. No recent pretty pics to share, so here’s a shot of my ugly mug to prove I’m doing OK. Will be doing better when I get to my next cache on HITR Road!
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- Day 27 — I’m a terribly slow thru-hiker. I take a lot of pictures. And video. And dips in the cool river. And exploratory routes that dead-end and require 10 extra miles of hiking. I’m having fun.
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- Day 30: No flash flood this time hiking through Halls Creek Narrows. But, I did run into five girls all wearing sun dresses. Weird.
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- Day 31: can’t get there from here! Another little hitch in the giddy up — I couldn’t find a way to climb down into Bullfrog Canyon where I’d planned. Found a way farther south and kept going that direction for a re-supply near the marina.
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- Joint Trail
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- under Turret Arch
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- approximate final route
Congratulations! So glad you got to fulfill your goal this year! I can hardly wait to see the whole Trip Report.
726.5 miles! Congratulations, and thank you as always for sharing
Wow….good to hear…what a hike …know your heart is huge…ever ever on Jamal…can’t wait to see your posts….best Allen Bealle
Congratulations, Jamal! Another epic outdoor adventure successfully completed. Will look forward to the detailed TR and video. Enjoy a beer, burger and shower!