HDT Day 22: Halls Creek & Waterpocket Fold

Daily Miles: 13.0, Total Miles: 298.6

The first thing I did this morning was spill a whole cup of coffee inside my tent just after I poured it – not a good move. Used up most of the rest of my toilet paper sopping it up.

I continued hiking south down Halls Creek leaving Capitol Reef NP and re-entering Glen Canyon NRA. Sometimes a decent trail but other time struggling through thick undergrowth and trees in the drainages. Over the last two days, I have torn two holes in the bottom of my backpack from tree snags.

Almost got to Lake Powell before turning southwest and going all the way up the Waterpocket Fold, a massive, tilted, layered sandstone geologic feature. I took advantage of a few potholes full of water on the way up. The steep route combined with a warm day and water load had me stopping often to rest.

Quite the views from the top – I could even see a marina on Lake Powell.

I crossed over the top and headed to the rim of a canyon that will take me into Steven Canyon tomorrow.

I debated whether to start the steep, tricky climb down but thought better of it. My legs are tired and it looks like it may rain – so knocked off a bit early.