Hans

Canyon

The painful series of fault summits turned fierce at Fisher Valley where we finally descended down Onion Creek road. Here we got what we were asking for. Not just the wind in our face, but the teeth-chattering, never-ending, descent. The trail would change from perfectly packed clay to unknown depths of Navajo sandstone, to loose cobbles just waiting to join you in the descent.

"This piece, unlike the cruel Cottonwood Canyon, shouldn't be missed: no bad injuries, no bad mechanicals, it was a good day in the desert...."

This piece, unlike the cruel Cottonwood Canyon, shouldn't be missed: no bad injuries, no bad mechanicals, it was a good day in the desert. The never-ending Onion Creek's alternative route, isn't singletrack, but it is seven miles of descending though the dazzling Utah strata.

Bruised and wet, but not beaten, we now shuttle up to our campsite at Bull Draw, nestled in the shade of the pinewood forest. Again another feast with our professional campers (Mountain Link) and some more tent experiments with Mountain Hardwear. We again daze by the fire with wine and I pace around seeking a phone line. Here in the coolness of the forest we all sleep sooner and sounder.

—Hans Prosl, footlosse and phone-free for MountainZone.com

EXPEDITION DISPATCHES