PART 2 - Bull Valley Gorge to Willis Creek

[ndhudson]

Continuing where we left off...

By this time it was about 10:30 in the morning. It was already VERY hot and the shade was sparse.

The second leg, Sheep Creek (apporox 4.5 miles). A much wider canyon with enormous cliff face walls, large Ponderosa pine and Juniper tree groves, and a very welcome stream of water flowing the entire length of the canyon. All the trip reports we had read about this hike said that the Sheep Creek portion was very hot and had little to no shade so when we hit our turn-off and saw the small stream of water flowing from Sheep Creek we were like kids at a water park!!!! This, no doubt, was a godsend! This meant I could walk in and out of the stream and cool off whenever needed. (I wear Keen sandals for hiking in the summer) We hiked up about 2 miles and found a bit of shade for lunch. We pulled out the SPOT messenger to send the family an "ok" message and pulled out the GPS to check the stats...temperature was 102 in the shade!!! Damn hot!

Glorious water!!!

Gale at the bottom of a MONSTROUS cliff! Couldn't get the entire cliff in frame!

Clouds in the north...cooling things off a bit for us.

Just before we reached the next confluence where Willis Creek meets Sheep Creek, a few clouds had rolled in up north and a few claps of thunder echoed down through the canyon. We spent a little time here playing with our water purification gear. Mostly just wasting time while we waited to see if the looming clouds were going to drop anything. We wanted to make sure there wasn't going to be any flash flood danger in Willis Creek (smaller slot canyon).

The third and final leg, Willis Creek (approx 4 miles) is an almost cave-like slot canyon pocked with dark dimpled walls as it goes from narrow to wide and back again throughout the entire 4 miles. The stream runs year round and flows a bit heavier than Sheep Creek. After waiting for the clouds to burn off a bit we headed into Willis Creek...

As Willis Creek begins to start rising back up to the road elevation, the water tumbles over several small waterfalls and then very gently turns into what amount to a small groove in the ground.

Where Willis Creek Canyon begins...and where our day ends.

Tired, but feeling fantastic!

Another Utah desert journey complete!

[poppiesrara]

Some terrific shots in those two reports, 'ND' - it just looks an entirely alien landscape. The thought of a walk that length in such heat though, can't envy that....

[ndhudson]

Some terrific shots in those two reports, 'ND' - it just looks an entirely alien landscape. The thought of a walk that length in such heat though, can't envy that....

Well thank you much, poppiesrara! We're pretty acclimated to the very dry heat. But the wraps around our necks are what make it bearable...they are filled with gel pellets that, when soaked in water for 40 minutes, expand to about 10 times their size and hold moisture for about 4 days. When wrapped around your neck you stay remarkably cool. We don't hike the deserts without them! But...I must admit...the cooler temps in Scotland are one of the many reasons why I love it there!

[GarryH]

What an excellent report with pictures to match,looks a fantastic place
Is that Indiana Jones? 2nd pic part 1

[ndhudson]

What an excellent report with pictures to match,looks a fantastic place
Is that Indiana Jones? 2nd pic part 1

Many thanks, Garry! Yes indeed, that is MY Indianna Jones...he saves me every time!

[gammy leg walker]

WOW WOW WOW

[john923]

Great pair of reports NDH, I love the sculpted shapes of the rocks in some of your photos.
Do the water levels mean that you can only do this hike for a short period in the year or is it more accessible than that?

[neilmci]

Are you sure these rocks are real? It is such a different lansdscape it looks like a film set.

HAving been out in the arabian deserts and now the asian jungle, I find a buff os essential just to stop my neck from frying! Will need to find out about these gel filled ones though. They sound just the job!

[ndhudson]

Cheers everyone! Glad you all enjoy our little bit of world.

Great pair of reports NDH, I love the sculpted shapes of the rocks in some of your photos.
Do the water levels mean that you can only do this hike for a short period in the year or is it more accessible than that?

It really depends on the time of year and how wet of a year it has been, John. But these three canyons specifically, you can hike almost year round. Winter can be tricky because of ice and sometimes snow (makes obstacles very treacherous), and spring can pose a few more water obstacles (deep pools) if the winter was fairly heavy. The real danger in these canyons are flash floods. It can be raining 50 miles away, and within seconds the canyons can fill with a torrent of water, sweeping up trees and rocks and people in it's path. Weather reports are your best friend!!!

Are you sure these rocks are real? It is such a different lansdscape it looks like a film set.

HAving been out in the arabian deserts and now the asian jungle, I find a buff os essential just to stop my neck from frying! Will need to find out about these gel filled ones though. They sound just the job!

I promise, they are real, Neil! Come see for yourself. Don't know how well the cool tie bandanas would work in the jungle...they work best in really dry environments...for sure the Arabian Dessert! I'd love to see that trip report!

[neilmci]

Arabian deserts were for work rather than pleasure and you could never tell what would happen.

See photo for the state of the vehicle after a flash flood meant 2 river crossings just to get to work!

[ndhudson]

Arabian deserts were for work rather than pleasure and you could never tell what would happen.

See photo for the state of the vehicle after a flash flood meant 2 river crossings just to get to work!

that's my kind of commute!

[ChrisW]

A fantastic continuance ND with even more stunning pics, glad I got back from my holiday before this report disappeared under a mound of others I look forward to even more of your exploits in the beauty of Utah

[ndhudson]

A fantastic continuance ND with even more stunning pics, glad I got back from my holiday before this report disappeared under a mound of others I look forward to even more of your exploits in the beauty of Utah

More to come soon! If I may ask, Chris, where were you vacationing?

[ChrisW]

A fantastic continuance ND with even more stunning pics, glad I got back from my holiday before this report disappeared under a mound of others I look forward to even more of your exploits in the beauty of Utah

More to come soon! If I may ask, Chris, where were you vacationing?

I stayed in the UK with my 6 month old grandson as its easier whilst he is so young, 2 weeks on the North Cornwall Coast (my favourite UK location) I used to take my son there, now he takes his.....where does the time go??

Here are a couple of shots taken around the town of Bude which is where we like to stay

[ndhudson]

Beautiful, Chris! Ever since my dorky fascination with the show t.v. Doc Martin, I have wanted to visit Cornwall. Sounds fantastic...now back to reality, egh? Welcome home.