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West Fork of Oak Creek


Image by deborah.soltesz
West Fork of Oak Creek

On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die.

From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike.

Trip report
All photos from this hike

West Fork of Oak Creek


Image by deborah.soltesz
West Fork of Oak Creek

On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die.

From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike.

Trip report
All photos from this hike

Check out these Dog Backpack images:

Quinn Amongst the Zinnas


Image by frank3.0
I don’t have a lot to say about these pictures other than that I am realizing a few inescapable truths.

First, it is getting really hot. Taking pictures outside during the summer is no cake-walk for anyone involved. The subjects sweat through their clothes, more junk than usual gets in your camera, a backpack full of gear feels increasingly like a leaden weight. But, this is the price we pay for our mild winters, I suppose. It may be getting hot, but I don’t have to be happy about it.

Second, Quinn is really cute. I realize that I am not an objective observer in all of this, but… come on, she is just a a darn good looking kid. So much personality, such a happy and loving disposition, so guileless and so easily excited by small, shinny things. Quinn and I are pretty close; we hang out. We share a fascination with trains and the zoo. We both like sushi. And we both adore Anna, so I think the synchronicity is justified.

Lastly, I am a lucky guy. Anna and Quinn came over to my parents house on Saturday and we all played on the swing set, harassed the fish in their pond and generally soaked up that distilled joy that is being in the company of those you love. But, I know that people are not really here to read my shaggy-dog gushing about how much I value the people in my life so, without further ado, here are some pictures.

Check out more at my blog, Lemons and Beans, for lots of photos, recipes, travel writing and other ramblings. I appreciate any feedback but, please do not post graphic awards or invitations in the comments, I’m just not crazy about them.

Some cool Dog Backpack images:

Chapter 30.3 Las Vegas Strip


Image by dancelilsister

zach packing it out


Image by mazaletel
we went on our first camping trip of the season this weekend at Nancy Lake. here Zach packs out the dogs’ bed with some creative engineering using their leashes to make backpack straps.

Check out these Dog Backpack images:

Vikheia 1


Image by Håkon Iversen Photog – On and off Flickr
My eight trip of the year, ninth top. Really bad weather, so I didn’t even bring my tripod. (my backpack doesn’t allow the rain cover to be attached while I have the tripod strapped to it) The first picture is just to show how bad it really was. The second one is of my uncle and aunts dog posing for the camera with the Steinlandsfjord in the background.

Needless to say, I’ll have to climp up that mountain again in better weather.

Vikheia 2


Image by Håkon Iversen Photog – On and off Flickr
My eight trip of the year, ninth top. Really bad weather, so I didn’t even bring my tripod. (my backpack doesn’t allow the rain cover to be attached while I have the tripod strapped to it) The first picture is just to show how bad it really was. The second one is of my uncle and aunts dog posing for the camera with the Steinlandsfjord in the background.

Needless to say, I’ll have to climp up that mountain again in better weather.