HDT Day 2: Courthouse Wash

Daily Miles: 10.0, Total Miles: 23.5

Slow start by my usual standards but left camp on a beautiful, sunny morning. From Willow Springs I headed into Upper Courthouse Wash, no trail, just followed the twisting, narrow canyon. Ankle deep water was flowing through much of the canyon and the wash bottom was often the most direct route.

Had my first experience with quicksand today. No warning, took a step off solid ground and the next thing I knew I was sinking to my thighs. Not hitting bottom, I laid over and grabbed overhanging willows. A slow, laborious process with a full pack. I pulled out one foot and then the other, inching myself up the bank. Fortunately my shoes were still on! Thereafter I used my hiking poles to probe ahead and avoided most of the quicksand going forward.

Once I crossed under the Arches road bridge, I entered the Lower Courthouse Wash with mostly narrow, deep channels. I crossed the creek a few times walking across logs but the next one had one skinny log over slow-moving water that was clearly over my head. I decided the best plan was to enter the water and work my way across going hand over hand from under the log. Quite refreshing and sopping wet, I struggled to get up the other side with a full pack.

I got to the Lower Courthouse Wash backcountry campsite, a single site well above the wash with great views. Draped my wet clothes over nearby bushes to dry and enjoyed the quiet evening. Except for my own hacking and nose blowing.