Kodachrome Basin

I woke early enough to have time to get packed up and make the drive back to Kanab by 8:00. I was hoping to secure a permit to hike The Wave through their walk-in lottery. Only 20 hikers per day are given permits for The Wave. Ten are awarded through an online lottery system which is booked a solid four months out. The other ten are awarded through the walk-in lottery system. I figured as early in the year as it was, I’d have no problem with the walk-in. But to my surprise, when I arrived there were at least 25 people there. On top of that, being so close to the Arizona border had confused Andrea into thinking it was an hour earlier than it actually was. Arizona does not observe daylight savings time! So, I had just missed the lottery. Disappointed and needing a boost in morale, I decided to call my son Taylor to wish him a happy 20th birthday, which worked wonders and after hanging up, I quickly decided on a new plan. The Wave and Buckskin Gulch would have to wait until another trip, maybe in the fall.

I decided to head north and then west on scenic highway UT12. Headed for Kodachrome Basin. as the elevation began to climb, I began encountering quite a bit of snow. So knowing that I would be passing right by Bryce Canyon National Park, I decided to take a drive in to see the hoodoos covered with snow. After all, it wouldn’t cost me anything since I have an annual pass for all the National Parks.

The amphitheater was very picturesque with the surrounding snow and I felt tempted to take a hike down in and get a closer look. But then I recalled my visit here in 1979, during wet conditions. All the wet clay had a way of building up on the bottom of your hiking shoes. Literally 5-6 inches of buildup! It was like trying to walk on 5 inch round bottomed platform shoes in the mud! No…I don’t think so!

So after an hour or so walking around the rim trail and taking some photos, I proceeded back out to UT12 and headed towards Kodachrome Basin. It was then that it occurred to me that there was a non-technical slot canyon called Willis Creek, located a short distance down the Skutumpah Road near Kodachrome Basin. I thought maybe I would camp there and spend the next day hiking the slot. But as luck would have it, I just about got my Tiguan stuck in some deep mud and turned around before it was too late.

Okay, just gotta role with the punches and be flexible. This is supposed to be an adventure right? So, Kodachrome Basin it is. After all it is a state park and there is a campground there.

I was pleasantly surprised at how scenic it was. I found a nice campsite with nobody around and decided to cook an early dinner so that I would not have to worry about it after an evening hike to take in a sunset somewhere. Hmmm…what to have for dinner…oh…Ramen and canned chicken sounds good for a change. While dinner was cooking I checked the map for trails. Shakespeare Arch…that sounds good. After eating I gathered the usual provisions for my pack, noticed my glasses and thought…”lets not forget these this time”, and drove out to the trailhead.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, I grabbed my pack and thought…”oh yeah, where did I put my glasses”…you have got to be kidding…I just had them in my hand…where did they go? I tore the car apart, but couldn’t find them. So I thought, lets make sure I at least have my headlamp! You can’t be serious…where is it? Tore the car apart again…couldn’t find it. Well, I guess dementia is setting in a little early! Oh never mind…I’m hiking out there anyway!

It was a nice hike out to the arch, only a bit over a mile. I then found a plateau with a view to the west, popped the wide angle lens on, composed a gnarly tree in the foreground and waited for the sunset. As soon as it had set, I hightailed it down the trail trying to beat the darkness. This wouldn’t be as straight forward as the dunes were in the dark.

Back at camp, the usual routine…the journal, the stars…and…well…you know…the stars…I’ve told you, haven’t I?…