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Hiking and Exploring the Paria River 5th Edition |
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| Introducing the new and updated Hiking and Exploring the Paria River 5th edition! In this full-color edition, Michael R. Kelsey has added an additional 96 pages of new hiking adventures, photographic tours, Indian ruins, and local histories. Focusing on the Paria River and its drainages, the guidebook covers the beautiful desert landscapes of Bryce Canyon all the way south to the Vermillion Cliffs. Among the 47 maps you will find detailed information on wild gems such as Hackberry Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, Coyote Buttes, The Wave, Sand Hills, and White Pockets. In preparation for this new edition Kelsey spent many hours interviewing local “old timers” to expand on the guidebook’s already rich regional history sections. Historical topics include horse, cattle, and angora goat ranching, mining and prospecting, and a section on John D. Lee and the establishment of Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River. In this new edition Michael R. Kelsey proves once again why he is one of the leading southwest desert hiking and history authorities. 384 pages, 523 mostly-color fotos, Perfect Bound, 15cms x 23cms (6"x9"), ISBN 978-944510-26-1 |
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| Guidebook Updates and Corrections | ||
Correction—Page 251: it states that Joe & Ben came down through Jacob's Hamblin's 1st wife, Lucinda. This is wrong, Joe & Ben Hamblin's mother was Rachel, who was Jacob Hamblin's 2nd wife. (Submitted 5/20/2010) Update—Page 303: Just recently, a NO TRESPASSING SIGN was erected for the first time at the entrance to the Curtis-Delwin Hamblin Ranch. See Map 41, page 303. It's the one with the chimney. In order to see the old Hod Brown Ranch site and Hod Brown Spring, park at the Condor Viewing Parking place and walk northeast along the fenceline to the gate at 5544T (1690m), then continue east to the old ranch site, thence up to the spring and the big rock art panel. To reach Signature Rocks and House Rock Spring, drive north from the Curtis-Delwin Hamblin Ranch on the House Rock Valley Road about 1 km (.6 mile), park somewhere in that area, and walk eastward toward the road running north as shown. But be sure you call Ira Schoppman first (435-586-8097). Read more on page 312. (Submitted 5/20/2010) Website Extra!!—New Hike Addition : Just after the new 5th Edition of the Paria River Guide came out, word came of a route to the top of the Sand Hills/Paria Plateau from near Lee's Ferry. On 6/14/2010, the author made the climb topping out near Powells Monument. The trailhead is located about 3.2 kms (1.9 miles) from Marble Canyon (on Highway 89A) along the paved highway going toward Lee’s Ferry. The parking is very near Cathedral Wash. From the parking place, walk along the highway northeast 100m and into Cathedral Wash using the Navajo Bridge 1:24,000--7 1/2' quad. Head west up Cathedral Wash. After 500m, stay in the main wash by going straight ahead, don’t veer left. A little over 2 kms from the highway, and when you see a pedestal or toadstool with a capstone on top, scramble up to the left side of it. Once out of Cathedral, continue west over a sandy hogsback. There’s an old road running up there, but it’s not visible today, so just stay on top of this sandy hogsback. Higher up, the old road or trail, is visible. Follow it up to the base of the big Navajo Sandstone cliffs and to where a drainage is seen coming down from the southwest. The drainage you'll be climbing is the southwestern-most of 3 upper forks of Cathedral Wash above Lowery Spring. Once there, follow a broad sandy ridge up to the south & southwest. Higher up, and staying well above the drainage bottom to your right, circle to the west staying high enough to avoid a couple of dryfalls. You may see a cairn or two, and perhaps the beginning of a hiker’s/big horn sheep trail. Above the highest dryfall, get into the drainage and stay there until you’re on top and near Powells Monument. Along the way are about 9 places to climb on all-4’s, but only 3 are worth mentioning. Anyone worth their salt can climb this steep gully. This will take from 5-8 hours to climb, and return. Take you own water. (Submitted 6/18/2010) Correction—Page 296: On 6/14/2010, the author returned to Joe's Ranch in the Sand Hills for a 4th try at finding the cave that Joe Hamblin apparently stayed in before he built his cabin. He finally found it. From the cabins there at Joe's, walk south, southwest along the bottom of the cliffs to your left, and along an old fence. After about 300m is a brake in the cliffs and an old horse trail running up to the east to Joe's Horse Pasture. But don't go up there. Continue another 100m along the base of the cliffs (about 400m from the cabins, not 200 yards as stated in the book on page 296!), then look up to the left or east. Up there just under the rim is a yellow band of Navajo Sandstone. And at the bottom of that are 3 caves, 2 of which are big enough for someone to live in. All caves show signs of someone digging; no doubt someone looking for Anasazi pots! (Submitted 6/18/2010) |
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