Water Canyon has been on my list for a while now. We had a free weekend and decided to go for it. Which really doesn't make a lot of sense to drive about 6 hours each way for a day hike, but I'm not known for having a lot of sense.
We arrived at Hildale, UT late on Friday and stayed at a hotel. The next morning we hit the trail....which was conveniently right behind the hotel. My planning is impeccable at all times.
Water Canyon is in the middle of nowhere (sorry, Hildale). It's something that people drive by on their way to and from Zion National Park, generally having no idea it's even there (sorry again, Hildale).
It is there. And it involves hiking in a lot of sand. I dislike...no, I hate hiking in sand. (Sand will be a recurring theme in this description.) Anyway, it also involves a short drive through the sand. Fairly deep sand, to the point where I'd say 4WD is required unless you like being stuck in sand. We actually saw a van of people stuck in the sand on our way out.
At the trailhead, we decided to go up Water Canyon and out Squirrel Canyon, so we got to walk up a road to the Water Canyon trailhead. Guess what type of road it was? If you guessed sand, you are correct. The sandy road switched to a sandy & rocky trail and quickly started ascending up Water Canyon. Soon enough, you could see Water Canyon Arch up very high on the canyon wall. This arch was the entire reason I wanted to hike this trail, but looking at it from the trail about 1,600 feet below, it seemed likely that we weren't going to make it.
About 2 or 3 miles in, we came to an unbelievable alcove. I'll leave the video to explain what it looked like, but it was beautiful.
After a short rest, it was time to get back to work and climb a steep trail up to the overlook. Tina was excited that she finally got to do some real elevation gain.
From the overlook (which had some great views into Water Canyon), we headed cross country to the other side of the canyon. At this point, the trail was faint to non-existent. There were some cairns, but not nearly enough and enough slick rock sections that you would be lost if you didn't know the trail and have it marked on GPS. We had it marked on GPS, which is why I'm not still wandering around up there.
After a short bit we came up to the White Domes. I really wasn't looking forward to the White Domes at all. I didn't even know what they were. Come to find out, they were my favorite part of an amazing hike. The White Domes reminded me of a mini version of the Wave, only with white rock instead of red/orange. It was incredible.
At the White Domes, Patrick appeared. He was a solo hiker out exploring and he was very glad to see us. I think he was just spooked by the solitude (we didn't see anyone else after leaving the overlook until we got to the truck) or possibly lost, but he asked if he could tag along.
The newly formed party of 3 then headed to Water Canyon Arch.
This is where my marriage was tested. You see, pretty much everything from this point to the truck (maybe 8 miles) was in deep sand. And everything from the loop trail to the arch was uphill. Tina began to dislike me about 1/10th of a mile past the White Domes all the way to Water Canyon Arch. I would say her dislike increased about 30% per quarter mile, which meant about 90% dislike by the time we got to the arch. This is assuming I started at 0% dislike, which is highly doubtful. But the arch was cool and marriage is overrated.
Moving on.....after a quick climb back to the ridge from the arch, everything was downhill. Downhill, mostly on a sandy road. Btw, when I use the term 'road', I use it very loosely. Someone had clearly been up there, almost all the way to the arch in something with 4 wheels, but I can't imagine what it was to get across that terrain. Did I mention that there was a lot of sand?
The hike from the arch to the turn off into Squirrel Canyon was drop dead gorgeous (and sandy). And the hike into Squirrel Canyon itself was pleasant enough until about the last 2 miles. Those last two miles turned back into 'road'/4 wheeler trail in deep sand. And it wasn't too scenic, but after all the amazing terrain we'd covered, it had a lot of competition to stand out against.
Then there was one last steep sandy hill, and we were back at the truck. Time and bribery have gotten Tina to talk to me again, although she generally just mumbles and I can't really understand what she's saying most of the time, but I think she's given me a new pet name. It sounds something like Brother Ducker, which is strange, but as long as she's happy, I'm happy.
Here's a secret bonus video:
• I was bored.
Sand.
Music by Epidemic Sound:
We are Giants - Silver Maple
Lemon Squeezy - Martin Landstrom
Music by Artlist:
Dear Gravity - Austere
Land Called Fantasy - Ziv Moran
We Dream of Eden - I See You in Light
Ballerina - Yehezkel Raz
Peace be Still - The Hunts