May 12 – Cohab Canyon Trail

We exited Winter and are back to Spring today. It was still a bit cool and the forecast called for a chance of rain but we are prepared for it.

The Cohab Canyon Trail started near the beginning of the park scenic road across from the park campground. You first steeply climb up to a plateau and then traverse to the canyon opening, which is part way up a cliff. We travelled down the canyon and then climbed up its wall to the very top of the mesa for some views back down into the park.

The scenery was quite different from anything we had seen yet so there was lots to look at.

In total we went about 6 km and climbed 550 feet in about 3 1/2 hours.

In the picture below you can see the plateau half way up and the viewpoint at the very top.

Up we go.

Lots of zigzags.

Traversing to the canyon opening.

You can see the sun shining through the opening.

Here is a view of the canyon opening from below.

 

Down into the wash at the bottom of the canyon.

It was quite narrow for the first section.

We checked out this vary narrow side canyon.

The walls of the canyon were just covered in large holes.

There are flowers everywhere this time of the year.

Then the canyon opened up.

 

The main canyon trail continues but we branched off to climb to the lookouts.

We made it up to mesa.

The North Viewpoint looked down on the area of the Hickman Arch that we hiked on the first day here.

And down on to Fruita. You can see the lines of trees in the orchards.

The path to the South Viewpoint took us around some more interesting features.

At the viewpoint the view was OK but I wanted to do better.

Jennie had a rest and explored a bit while I continued on to higher ground

It is not an official trail but I managed to stay on the rocks and not harm any plants or soil.

The place I got to is about twice as far away from Jennie as that large rock is.

Lots more weird rocks on the way.

Looking a long way back towards Jennie.

And down into the valley.

You can see the initial switchbacks and the car down towards the shed in the bottom right. The campground is in the trees in the center.

Later from the car I took the reverse picture.

I made my way back to Jennie and we continued back.

Crossing the mesa top we saw some threatening clouds in the distance and quickened our pace.

Back down into the canyon.

We got sprinkled on but this was the worst it got.

A  cactus flower close up.

And another plant with puffs that looked like pussy willow.

The marks on this rock almost looked like shells.

Back at the canyon opening.

And down to the car.

Another great hike.