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Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Lucky Slots


Bobbie and I have slogged, slithered, and sloshed through many Utah slot canyons over the years, but none so slender, confining, graceful, and exhilarating as Peekaboo, Spooky, and Brimstone. Warning: If you are bothered by attenuated places, things like crowded elevators,suffocating MRI procedures, or hotel beds with sheets tucked tight as a straightjacket, these slots are not for you.

Have I told you how much I adore tough women? A mere couple of days after Bobbie's Crash and Bleed in Capitol Reef, she's ready to roll...battered and bruised face and all. 


From our boondock camp off Hole-in-the-Rock-washboard- road, we motored Sue Bee some 26 give-or-take miles to Dry Gulch Trailhead, and I speak literally—like sun-drenched, desiccated, hard as a rock, dry-as-the-last-raisin-in-a-box-of outdated-Walmart cereal Dry Gulch. Oh pity the Mormon pioneers who sought this route as a shortcut to their Promised Land. 

Right out of the sand-box gulch, Peekaboo does it's best to discourage entry; it's steep and sandy, not a single finger-hold to be found. Never afraid to make fools (or statistics, for that matter) out of ourselves, we marched right to the head of the line of "How in the Hell" bystanders, and gave it a go. 



True to form, we struggle, slip, fall, and start over as they took notes on how not too attack such a steep, sanded surface. Ascent to the second level is made via a fortunate find...an old branch...else we'd still be there spinning our wheels. 

Beyond those initial hiccups, we entered a fairytale land that would make Walter Disney smile from his crypt.  



Above: Battered Bobbie, sporting a black and blue bruise mustache and fat lips.
Below: My battered legs; kinda shoulda wore long pants with kneepads.






This playground made us wide-eyed and giggle like a couple of kids in Alice's Wonderland...up through rabbit holes, under arches, inching passageways so freaking narrow we are forced to remove backpacks and suck in tummies. It's so narrow, well, let's just say Dolly Parton wouldn't stand a chance in Peekaboo. 

Facial-expression apologies in advance, folks: I found it difficult to wipe the silly kid-grin off my face...








We emerged from the shadowed coolness of Peekaboo wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to make a sunny sand-slog over to upper Spooky. Vistas abound 360 degrees.


"Fifty-Mile Bench" in the background...a pinion-forested plateau that delineates Hole-in-the-Rock Road's southern capture. 
 It doesn't take long to reach upper Spooky. There is collective doubt that anything could top Peekaboo.
We were wrong...


Bobbie, entering upper Spooky

Stay Tuned for Spooky, then off to the bottomless depths of Brimstone.  😦

Peace out,
Mark and Bobbie...who gratefully acknowledges and appreciates all the well-wishes expressed via comments and emails in regards to her "Crash and Bleed in Capitol Reef ! 

16 comments:

  1. So good to see Bobbie back out on trail:) Way to rock it, Bobbie! Beautiful, spectacular slot!! One we haven't been to yet. Hope you checked out Watsonswander for another amazing slot in your area!!

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  2. Never made it to PeekAboo or to Spooky, but have dreamed of them for 3 decades or so. whew.

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  3. so, now I have to hang close to the computer for the next installment??

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  4. When we did that hike I was sure glad I had long pants. It sure is amazing how fast that sandstone will take off your skin.

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  5. Ah, the Blog Post That Shows You, what other post just talk about. You two sure know how to stage a come back and we love the header photo, almost feel like we are right there with you. Al says it sure beats New York City today. Total insanity fits it to a tee.
    Great article also on Leaving Las Vegas in the Plaindealer Mark, well put.
    You & Bobbie, that's what's Going On! :)
    Stay Thirsty

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    1. Thanks Sonoma Doug. Thanks for reading and commenting on my Plaindealer Column :)
      Poor Al... :((
      mark

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  6. Surprised that you were able to remove a hand off the walls to take a photo!! Loved this shared adventure! and looking forward to your next one :)

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  7. Amazing pictures of a fantastic slot. You two are definitely rugged. SO glad you were able to get that first boost.

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  8. Oh, BOO!(Hoo)on the Peekaboo and Spooky! Like Sue Malone, I've wanted to do those two slots since I first read about them. Figures you would do them the year I am on this side of the Continental Divide. ;-(

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  9. Peekaboo! I last visited that canyon in 2001. These photos remind be of youthful exuberance in more ways than one.

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    1. We felt 20 years younger in those slots, and 50 years older the next day :)
      mark

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  10. Your wife is a trooper through and through!

    I am spending 2 days driving from Salt Lake down to Zion. I am having trouble deciding what I want to do on the way since there are so many things to see...if you had to recommend the top 1 or 2 spots to see off/near that main highway between the two, what would it be? Capitol Reef, Bryce, Escalante, etc..

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    1. Swing off and catch Capitol Reef, then drive route 12 from Cap. Reef south...an amazing drive...then catch Bryce...unbelievable color and formations... then come into Zion via route 89 to east entry. Once in the park, pull off at any canyon and take a hike up its wash and slick rock. There is something worthy in every one...
      Enjoy!!!
      mark and bobbie

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  11. Spooky and Peek a boo are some of my all time favorites! Don't know about Brimstone though...can't wait to see it! It really is impossible to stop grinning in these amazing slots!

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  12. You've just cemented a future destination into my brain! Beautiful post.

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  13. Wow, those poor legs. Hurts to look at them! And Bobbie is a real trooper to keep on going no matter what. You two sure make a matched pair. Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing them!

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