Permits and Politics - Kodachrome Basin, Boulder Creek, and an Escalante River Backpack - September-October 2013

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With the tents set up and the day still young, we had time to relax and explore our surroundings. The kids immediately set up a beach-like playground on the sandy flat; we strung up our gear and clothes on some lines between the trees, and gathered together a few sitting logs around a spot that would become our campfire pit. There was then time for a bit of sunning (the afternoon sun shining down on an open stretch of nearby sand had really warmed things up).

courtesy JInnes

courtesy AHyndman

Afternoon playtime

Improving sitting arrangements

Next, we decided to explore a set of old petroglyphs that were reported to be located on a sandstone wall on the other side of the river from us. We located them easily enough, despite the fact that they were rather faded.

courtesy JInnes

Jenn and Gosia

Escalante at Death Hollow

Faded Petroglyphs

courtesy JInnes

Observing petroglyphs

Faded Petroglyphs

Skipping Contest

While Arn and Kyle had a rock-skipping competition, I wandered up to explore the nearby confluence of the Escalante River with Death Hollow. Death Hollow was flowing quite strongly, contributing more flow to the Escalante River than the Escalante River itself. The water coming down Death Hollow was much clearer and freer of sediment than that of the Escalante. Death Hollow is apparently a very beautiful drainage to explore, and hopefully I'll get a chance to do it someday.

Death Hollow

The skipping goes on

Wonderful campsite

Returning back to our side of the river, we next decided to explore the slopes and bluffs above our camp. A well-defined footpath led upwards about 75 feet, culminating in an excellent lookout over the confluence. From here, we could clearly see over the tops of the cottonwood trees to the narrow defile of Death Hollow coming down from the north.

Confluence from above

Closeup, Campsite from Above

Afternoon playtime

The long shadows of late afternoon brought coolness to our campsite and signalled to Arn's primal urge for fire. Fortunately for him (and for us), this campsite was perfectly suited for a campfire. In addition to having a bed of sand - perfect for hosting a fire - perfect fuel was abundant. The dried-out debris from recent flash floods were draped around the base of all of the nearby trees. It was a trivial matter to pick whatever size and shape of wood one wanted from this debris. Within minutes, Arn had a crackling fire going. It produced remarkably little smoke.

Another perspective

Time for the campfire

Easy fuel

courtesy JInnes

Sustainable Combustion Achieved

Kai's Stick Bug

Phasmatodea

Now that the fire was well established, we turned to dinner and food-related chores, filtering water, getting the stove ready, and so forth. An all-round Mountain House dehydrated dinner followed.

courtesy AHyndman

Waterman

The temperature rapidly cooled as the sun set, causing us to huddle closer to the fire. Its warmth and light helped sustain us as we chatted well into the evening; it was well past 8pm by the time we decided to smother it and head off to bed.

The evening campfire

Enjoying warmth

By all accounts, the first day of our backpack had gone really, really well. It had been scenic, relaxed, and obstacle-free, and we had scored a near-perfect campsite. I think Gosia's perception of backpacking was well on its way to being redeemed!

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