Saturday 17 April 2004

It was an early start and I headed out at 7:30 before  the others just get my body going- it didn’t take long before I found my pace.  I basically made it all the way to the saddle where I stopped for a break and waited for the others. All three of us took a break there and then made it to Monument before 9AM.  It was an easy hike and wonderful views. 

 I set up camp right there on the plateau and grabbed my fanny pack since the three of us were heading to Granite Rapids.  I hadn’t walked more than 5 feet and I saw a squirrel go through my pack.  Just as a note, open up all the pockets on your pack and leave your tent flap partially open – let the squirrels go through it and when he cannot find any food he will leave.  It beats having them chew a hole in the side because they smell something.

We headed down to granite via the spur trail – We followed the path down a series of switchbacks to the dry creek bed.  The switchbacks are slightly steep similar to the Cathedral Stairs although a bit more crumbly.  Once in the streambed, we followed it down to the terminus and Granite Rapids.  Upstream of the Colorado River, there are some great campsites.  We crashed there for the afternoon before heading back up.  Brian and Terry hiked up the streambed to the camp – while I headed back up the trail – I really didn’t feel like getting wet.  Once back up the wind was really blowing and my tent were bent over at a 45-degree angle – I had to really stake out the tent.  Eventually the others made it back and they were heading over to Salt.  I hiked with them partially up the trail and said our goodbyes – great folks.

Camp was pretty boring and there was no one at Monument – I moved my camp down under the Mesquite trees since the weather was starting to turn foul and the wind was really picking up.  Eventually some more groups came in right at sunset.  The wind howled all night long and my tent was really hammered even down under the protection of the trees.  The tent gets an A+ for lasting that night.  The rain that evening was pleasant and I enjoyed listening to it on the tent.  There were two storms, one around 8 and the other around 10:30 – you could hear the wind start down the canyon and within several seconds it would crash into the tent – freight train style.