HDT Day 15: Fiddler Canyon & Dirty Devil

Daily Miles: 18.6, Total Miles: 204.1

The guidebook states there is only one way down from the rim of Fiddler Canyon and a warning not to mess with anything else. Found a cairn on the edge of the rim and dropped down, picking my way down ledges and around boulders. I did have to stop a few times to take in the view. The sun was just starting to light up the canyon walls.

Once down on the bottom, I followed the deep and winding canyon for almost two miles. The numerous rock “sculptures” were impressive.

Got down to the Dirty Devil River and decided there was no need to take the high-water route. Traipsed up the knee-deep silty river for nearly six miles with numerous crossings, thankful for no quicksand. About halfway along, I spotted something floating down the middle of the river. I eventually realized it was someone in a pack raft, laid back and seemingly enjoying the ride. I was in the process of crossing the river, pretty close and I yelled “Hi there!”. She almost fell out of the raft, so surprised, not expecting another human being in the middle of nowhere. Turned out she had her eyes closed and was rocking out to some music through her earbuds.

I exited the river and headed west up Poison Springs Canyon. Following a dirt road for most of the canyon and scoring some cold water from a pack of ATVers. I also found the piped spring further up the canyon and was able to top off. It did cross my mind that this may be the poison spring.

Beautiful, sunny day – cool in the morning but starting to warm up.

My clothes and I are filthy and getting odorous – ready for a town day!