Oct 14: Shunes Hollow

Walked the highway frontage OHV trail to the edge of town and the soon-to-be old location of Bee's Marketplace, the local grocery (they're currently building a bigger new location right on the highway a bit further north). Bought way too much food. Check the expiration date on your grocery store pastries, kids. 

Then walked through town, stopping at the post office to pick up even more food, send a couple things home, and pet a stray dog. None of the four people at the Post Office, including two employees, live in town, so they couldn't tell me where to pick up a used paperback. (I finished Ed Abbey's terrific Fire on the Mountain. The plot and its politics are a little simplistic but the description of the desert ranch life is beautifully evocative.) 

Got coffee and verified with NPS that the East Rim Trail to Observation Point is in fact closed. So that means our hike essentially ends with the Barracks section of the East Fork of the Virgin River, which is actually supposed to be excellent. A bit unfortunate that we only barely cross into Zion NP, but such is life.

We finally left town around noon, as the town is rather spread out. Saw the US Marshalls drive by at least twice, but everyone in town was friendly. The route goes through the northern part of town (Hilldale, Utah as opposed to Colorado City, Arizona) which seems to have a higher concentration of compounds, with larger fences, and big UEP (United Effort Plan) letters emblazoned on the walls. The largest one, which I believe belonged to the Jeffs, is now a hotel, Zion's Most Wanted. No thanks. But we did buy some frozen yogurt from Finney Farms on the way out of town. 

Then we were finally on trail again, in the Canaan Mountain Wilderness. It was spectacular, with wildly sculpted redrock, as I imagine the Wave looks, sort of. It was unfortunate that ATV tracks were present on the route the entire way through the wilderness. Is this use grandfathered in for some reason, or do certain locals just not respect BLM in addition to the DOJ? 

The redrock calmed down and we entered a large hollow/wash that was just awfully sandy. The Hayduke giveth and the Hayduke taketh away, especially when you're near the end. Shoes again became repeatedly and painfully full of sand, and it was a scorcher. It was 37 degrees overnight, and for sure into the 90s during the day. Welcome to the desert in October.

We trudged along, and camped just after reconnecting our Colorado City route to the main Hayduke. We were a bit pissy with each other about how exactly we want to end things; I should be more grateful for having a ride out, but a little clearer discussion of what exactly the plan is/should be would also be cool. (For future partner hikes I should remember I've enjoyed it when everybody is in control of their own way out.)