On a particularly pleasant day, I got up early and had some energy. I felt the need to do some exploring. I wanted to check out Padre Bay from above, and to see if there was a way to descend safely down one of the canyons to Lake Powell. I drove on out past Big Water and on out along Smokey Mountain Road. Though I went too far, and looked on the map to find out that I was right across from Padre Bay. So, I parked around the next bend, and thought I'd take a look to see what sort of drop-off to expect in that region. The wash soon became a slick narrow slot canyon, and I looked from above where it plummeted about 500+ vertical feet. Amazingly enough, there was an older couple hiking in that very same spot, and we chatted a little about the crossing of the fathers.
They were originally from Bellingham. I decided to backtrack a little to another canyon that looked easier on the topo map. It became a narrow slot canyon in some parts, but was fairly decent. I came across some cougar tracks near some waterholes, but the canyon got steeper. There were a few points I hesitated jumping down, unsure if I would be able to scramble back up. I made it down a few more, and one was a good drop, so I anchored some rope at the base of a few larger bushes. I continued onward, and finally got to a REALLY big drop. Something I would need a climbing harness for... and I wasn't THAT ambitious. I came back, and scampered up some of the drops that I had jumped down. As it turned out, I didn't even need the rope, but it was good to have "just in case". I made it back to the car and still had some time left before I needed to head back.
I decided to make an attempt for the gooseneck, that way I could at least have some photos. There was no parking place, no sign of trails, nothing. I used my GPS to point me in the general area, and went on through, blazing my way through the crunchy soft soil. Not much else out there. Eventually I made it to where I could get some nice views, and snapped a bunch of photos. After looking at the time, I realized I wouldn't have enough time to get back for work at 7pm, so I took the boots off and put on the FiveFingers. I half jogged, half hiked with a quick pace along my tracks back. I was soaking with sweat by the time I reached the Equinox, and steamed up my sunglasses as I flipped the ignition. Low angle sunlight in the eyes, lot of use of the visor, and high attention navigation through the gaps, ruts, rocks, and slippery sections.
I got to my hotel just as Andra called me about an internet problem and did my best to troubleshoot as I was walking up to my room. I quickly changed into my work clothes, grabbed a lunch, and bolted out the door. Somehow I got to the security gate with some time to spare. I suspect timewarp.
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