Cap Rock and Maudes Crack Hike
Cap Rock Directions
Maude's Crack Directions
We went out to see Sharon and hike for the weekend. We took the pontoon boat this weekend.
The plan was to go hiking one day and boating/hiking another day. We hiked in Big South Fork to take Sharon to visit Cap Rock for the first time. We'd been, but missed seeing Maude's Crack and Russell Arch. We'd try to hit all of those today. Otie loves to hike so it was great that we could all go! He gets so wound up when we take him. He makes the trek several times over checking on all of us. His herding instincts kick in!
It was a bluebird day. Sunny skies with mild temperatures. We had the start of Fall colors in Big South Fork. We saw few others today. We made the long drive back Terry Cemetery Road and hiked the unofficial trail to Cap Rock Window first. It is a tall spire of sandstone with a diamond shaped hole eroded through it. It appears to be wearing a graduation mortar board. That is the capstone of harder, less easily eroded rock. The pillar is full of swirls and holes.
It had been awhile since we did this hike. Typical of us we made it seem shorter and simpler than it truly was. We had to do a bit of way finding, but we didn't have any significant trouble. We did loose the trail or what there is of one at one point. Otherwise we were fine coming and going.
There was one more drainage to cross than we recalled also. We made it out to the edge of the bluff and found a steep scramble path down to the Cap Rock. We worked our way around to see it.
It stood towering by the bluff about fifty feet from the cliff edge. We sat down at its base in the shade to cool off and enjoy it. The slope is a bit steep, but we were able to get views of it and a few pictures.
We took in the Cap Rock and toiled bravely back up the slope to the bluff line. We decided to try to find Russell Arch. We started off hiking on out the trail past Cap Rock. Kenny had the notion we needed to go back to one of the drainages we'd crossed on the way in. He believed that would take us right down and around to the big 100x30 foot arch. We turned around and headed the direction he wanted to try. We stopped at that drainage and waited. Sharon and I hung out while he went ahead to scout. He returned a short time later saying that was not it. He'd tried a couple different ways and each side cliffed out cutting off further progress. I was not in the mood to be on the Struggle Bus today. Instead we just kept easing back in the direction we'd come trying NOT to lose the trail this go round. We managed to keep sight of it heading out.
Below is a video of Cap Rock Window
Russell Arch was a wash today, but we still needed to reach Maude's Crack. It is a popular, well known hike. I don't know why we'd never done it?! We'd fix that today. Back on the main trail we turned east and headed out the finger ridge. It was pretty level and easy. The path was nice. The colors were pretty. The company and conversation were great. We got to where the ridge narrowed down. We could see from one side to the next! We passed a couple neat overlooks of the gorge below.
The views were spectacular and unobstructed. At the second overlook we went a few steps over and there was the crack! A bright yellow poly rope was tied to the trunk of a tree. It drooped down into the dim light of the crack. Kenny was down that cleft in the rock in no time. Sharon opted not to attempt it. She was mainly concerned Otie would try to follow us and might get injured. I offered to lift him, but she didn't think it was a good idea. They stayed up above. I took a look at the way down and said "I can do this! " I just took my time and was careful. It was exciting and fun. Kenny was waiting on me at the bottom. It is the one route down off this bluff that I am aware of.
Below is a photo taken at Overlook #1
I was tickled we'd done it at last. It was great fun. The climb back out was easier than going down.
We made a leisurely hike back to the truck. It was exactly what I needed. Time with my best friend and time outdoors. I checked with Kerry Woolbright once I got home. I asked him about Russell Arch and how to reach it. We should have stayed on the ridge line past Cap Rock like we started out to do.
It was maddening to learn we'd only missed finding Russell Arch by 0.06 miles! It is okay though. We'll go back and knock that out and succeed next time. Thank you Kerry!
Below is a video of Maude's Crack and the overlooks
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading and commenting. I enjoy hearing from those who read & make use of my blog. I have made some wonderful friendships through emails from readers. I respond to all comments and emails. I appreciate folks reaching out to let me know when my blog entries are not functioning correctly or if the situation somewhere has changed. Many Blessings to you!
Dana 🐝