HDT Day 1: Rough Start in Arches NP

Daily Miles: 13.5, Total Miles: 13.5

I flew to Moab on Tuesday with what felt like the beginnings of a head cold. It was in full force by the time I went to bed. The next morning wasn’t much better but my only task was a trip to the Arches Visitors Center to get my backcountry camping permit. I was in bed by 6pm loaded up with on nighttime NyQuil so got a pretty decent sleep.

Randy from Trail Taxi dropped me off at the South Klondike Bluffs TH east of the airport this morning. I’m loaded up with daytime NyQuil. A pleasant stroll up dirt roads to the Arches NP boundary, then up a sandstone fin to the park dirt road leading to Tower Arch. Great views of the nearby Marching Men towering rock formation and the snow-capped LaSals in the distance.

A quick side trip to Tower Arch and then took a trail east to the Salt Valley. Now joining the official HDT!

My original intention was to take the Devil’s Garden alternative but my stamina was shot with this cold. I just continued on the HDT route, following a primitive road and washes until reaching the park’s western boundary. I then turned south generally following the fence line.

Met two hikers, Solid and Gary, who plan to hike the HDT to Bryce Canyon. Will probably see them again.