Comments on: A Cool and Windy Trip to Southeast Utah

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:22:54 +0000

Weather permited, although chilly at night (teens). We went in the “south” arm of Polly’s. There’s a good ruin just below the rim. We ended up coming out Deer slightly differently from where Kelsy suggests about a mile or so up South fork (between “middle” and “south” forks). We came out a steep bowl about 100 yards into Sound fork from the confluence of North and South. It was about half slickrock, so would not be good if wet. From our camp right at the confluence back to car at Government trailhead was just under 2 hours. Much of the mesa top hiking is on slickrock.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:21:36 +0000

Thanks. This is really helpful. We are planning to go over Thanksgiving, weather permitting. I’ll let you know how it goes.

By: desertexplorer

desertexplorer — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:34:02 +0000

Hi Deb,
You can definitely get into Grand Gulch from Polly’s. And it is a very interesting hike up higher. No ropes are needed. Just stay to the right on Road 230- head towards Hardscrabble and park right after you cross over the small drainage that is the north fork of Polly’s. You will likely see where others have parked there. It’s a fun hike down that way. As for Deer Canyon, I entered via the south fork, and had to climb up and around the pouroffs where the south and middle forks meet, and climb in there (climb in from the north) to get down into Grand Gulch. I hiked a loop through the south and middle fork, with climbs around a couple of pouroffs another time. I went into the north fork of Deer from below, but only went up about a kilometer to a pouroff that I have noted as “passable” on my map. So, you could easily go in Polly’s from the north fork, hike down to Deer, and out the middle or south fork of Deer and back over the mesatop along the road to your vehicle at Hardscrabble. It would be a great way to see a bunch of canyon with a minimal walk back across the mesa. Be sure to take a walk around the back of Polly’s Island. It may be a bit brushy around the back, but there is stuff to see. Also look up high from the south on the Island- a few ruins up there that I haven’t climbed up to- it was a bit exposed as I stood below looking up. Hope this helps you. Let us know how your trip goes!

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:12:13 +0000

I’m wondering if you can hike into Grand Gulch by hiking in through Polly’s Canyon instead of going in on the Government Trail? Is it doable without ropes? Do you know anything about exiting via Deer Canyon, either the middle or south fork going all the way to the head of either of those canyons?

Thanks

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:29:43 +0000

Greetings…Did not hike much around Pollys. I heard there was some nice ruins around Pollys but couldn’t find them. I hiked down canyon to the first set of ruins in grand gulch. Nice set…Some different architecture, etc. I then hiked up to the Big Man Panel. Very nice! Hiked out of Polly’s Canyon. Nice ruins and a kiva. Mentioned the places in the Kelsey book if you have it. Fry canyon is a blast. 4 hours or so round trip. Need a 60 meter rope but there was a good one there already. Left in place…There were nice some ruins accessed from the top as you come ouf the slot too. I can give you some more beta if needed. Have fun out there…Mike

By: desertexplorer

desertexplorer — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:52:50 +0000

Hi Mike,
Sounds like we did just miss each other. I saw your email upon returning and was planning reply to it. I am glad that you figured it all out there at Step Canyon. I was off a bit in my estimation that 2 wheel drive could make it in there. That last little bit of the “road”, the exposed slickrock just before you reach Step Point, was a little rough. Sounds like you hit some of the fun canyons- especially Shieks, and I like the various Slickhorn canyons myself. You went down Government Trail- did you hike in Polly’s much, scout around Polly’s Island at all? I like the upper part of Polly’s. No ruins there that I remember, but an interesting canyon. Did you use a guide for Fry, or were you guys set up for canyoneering? Or is it even that technical? I haven’t been that far up. Its on the list though. Next, in a couple of weeks, is a solo ride of the Kokopelli for me.
Thanks for visiting the site, and your comments are always appreciated.
Gerald

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:28:46 +0000

Wow, we must have just missed you. We hiked Step and Pine Canyons on June 15. Camped at the end of the road on the slickrock. We couldn’t believe the weather as well. Crazy…long underwear and shirts at night. The fire actually warmed us:) It was like June was the new April in terms of weather. My friend and I explored Shieks, Slickhorn (all forks), Government Trail, and Mule Canyons, upper Arch, and here and there…Did not see a single person out there. Did a nice canyoneering adventure in Fry Canyon. The canyon ends with some nice ruins as well…

Glad to hear all went well on your trip. It looks like it is going to warm up soon though:) Timing is everything!!!

Take care,
Mike

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:45:46 +0000

Nicolai is really quite the archealogist and scientist. Really intersting weather all over the Southwest this season. Here in the southern great basin it’s been cooler than usual by 15-20 degrees. Nice actually.