Wednesday, July 31, 2019

July 29-30, 2019 - Trip to Sheep Creek Geological Loop & Spirit Lake Scenic Backway

Yesterday we took the day off from travel and stayed home to work on and catch up the past travel events for this Blog. Also, we had just made an adjustment on Roxy's medication, hoping to be able to reduce the dosage of Prednisone, as that just makes her ravenously hungry and panting plus weak to the point that sometimes we have to help her to get up on the truck or walk up the steps to the motor home. Sadly, the dosage reduction after just two days did not work, as she immediately returned to total and red diahhrea, following two weeks of solid and normal stools. So unfortunately now, for the next 4-5 nights, we have to each take turns sleeping out on the living room sofa to be aware if she needs to go out in the middle of the night. We have been working with her vet to try to find a treatment that will work for her, without making her suffer all (or as much of) these side effects of the Prednisone. When we get back to Star Valley Ranch, following the closing of our  lot there and can receive mail, we will be trying a new corticosteroid (which is what she needs to reduce her bowel inflamation) as Budesonide or Azathioprine, which are both said to produce less strong side effects like hunger, excessive panting and muscle weakness. We are trying everything we can because we love our girl, but if we can't get her diahrrea under control (without making her suffer such undesireable side effects), the only solution would be to have to return her to the Rescue, to be placed in a home with a large fenced yard where she can be free to experience her continued diahrrea 'outside' without the need for any of the few meds with such harsh side effects, as life in a constantly traveling RV and constant doggy diahrrea are not a compatible mix. Other than that, we would have to sell our motor home and RV lots and buy a house with a big fenced yard for her, which is not fair to us either, as the reason we got her from the Rescue was precisely to have a companion to take with us in all our travels. So wish us all good luck and pray for us that we can find a workable solution to this dilemma.

So, back to the Blog... On Tuesday, July 30th we took a drive first to Sheep Creek Geological Loop and then continued on the Spirit Lake Scenic Backway to Spirit Lake.

Sheep Creek Geological Loop 
Designated a State of Utah Scenic Backway in December of 1990, this approximately 10-mile route winds through dramatic geologic formations of the Sheep Creek National Geologic Area. It is mostly paved but short sections in the canyon have been graveled due to road deterioration. This Backway travels through a spectacular canyon designated as a geological area by the US Forest Service on May 13, 1962. The canyon is one of the few places in the world where tourists can cover millions of years of development in only about 20-30 minutes of driving (without stopping). On the south side of the Fault, the earth's crust has been raised upward over 15,000 feet, but subsequent erosion has greatly reduced the upturned sedimentary layer of rock north of the Fault. Several of these formmations are now clearly exposed within the geologic area.

The Uinta Fault, which runs for more than 100 miles along the north slope of the Uinta Mountains is clearly visible in the extremely twisted rock layers along the upper part of the loop. However, stunning scenery isn't the only reason for taking this route. The hope of catching a glimpse of wildlife, like Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep, moose and a diversity of birds and other wild life, which make their home in this relatively small area is also a worthy endeavor. More than one billion years of geologic history are showcased within.

The State of Utah also designated the next 17 mile route as the Spirit Lake Scenic Backway, comprised of graveled and dirt road surfaces, terminating at Spirit Lake (and campground and Lodge) on the northeastern end of the High Uintas Wilderness. This Backway travels through conifer-covered slopes and large open high meadows, crossing over numerous streams with the still partially snow-covered High Uinta Mountains as the backdrop. Beyond it the only access is by hiking on the Tamarack Lake Tralhead. The Spirit Lake Lodge is the center of a backcountry resort operation under permit by the Ashley National Forest. Fishing at Spirit Lake, day hikes, horseback riding and wilderness backpacking trips are the favorite activities in this area.

At one point while still in the Sheep Creek Geological Loop we stopped behind a white pickup truck at Big Spring, got out of the truck and took some photos of the babbling brook and wooden bridge over it and then continued our travel. Further up the road at the end of Geological Loop we came uon the same white pickup truck and upon stopping to take a photo the man said, "Wow!! Did you guys see that big moose back there?" Apparently, according to him, where we stopped behind him at Big Spring there was a big moose grazing on the opposite side of the road from the side that we were focused on... the brook. We quickly went back to see if we could find it to photograph it, but found nothing. So we have to wonder if we really missed a great opportunity, or if that guy was just pulling our leg.

Further on, however, Mary's sharp eagle eyes spotted the gravesite of the notorious Cleophas J. Dowd, buried with two of his sons on his ranch. So, who is Cleophas Dowd, you may ask? Like most old western figures, he too has a very colorful and notorious history... But first, a little background. He homesteaded the Sheep Creek Ranch in 1885 - 1897, which is located approximately 7 miles south of the town of Manila UT on County Road 1370, 56 miles north of the town of Vernal UT and 55 miles south of the city of Green River WY. Manila is the county seat for Daggett County and is located on the Utah - Wyoming border, just west of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Lucerne Campground. This entire area is known as the Lucerne Valley and consists of Manila UT and Washam WY. This small community is supported by ranching, recreation, tourism, fishing, boating, hunting, oil & gas, mining and government. Local amenities include restaurants, convenence stores, lodging and a marina. The Sheep Creek Ranch consists of 234 deeded acres with approximately 50 acres of irrigated land and 120 acres of state-leased land that is fenced within the ranch boundary for grazing purposes and adjacent to the deeded property. The ranch is surrounded by state lands and the Ashley National Forest (which name was obtianed from a colorful history, but that is another story). It offers thousands of acres to explore and enjoy. The ranch has historically been used for the production of hay and cattle grazing. Sheep Creek meanders through the ranch for approximately one mile offering private fishing for wild trout ... cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout, as well as on the rest of Sheep Creek on the neighboring state lands and national forest. Every fall there are two spawning runs of Kokanee Salmon (one in September and one in October) up Sheep Creek from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Fishing is closed during this time from the Reservoir to the National Forest waterways for the collection of eggs for state hatcheries, with public viewing areas at Hwy 44 and Sheep Creek. Sheep Creek Ranch was last sold for $1,100,000 for the 234 deeded acres.


But now, the tie-in to Cleophas J. Dowd... Dowd and two of his children are burried on his ranch. Cleophas Dowd hired Harry Longabaugh as a ranch hand and gave hin the nickname "The Sundance Kid" (yep, Butch Cassidy's Sundance Kid). But that's not all. On his burial plot there is a sign that details his many accomplishments as a Pinkerton informant, a deputy sheriff, a cattleman’s assoc detective, and a railroad detective, as well as having trained thoroughbreds which he would sell to the McCarty gang of outlaws. Like most cowboys and racnchers back then, he was known for working both sides of the law.

Here are some photos of the wonderful scenery we saw today:
 




 
 


















'Tower Rock' is a hoodoo rock formation in the upper part of the Weber Sandstone
Tower Rock
 
Apparently there was recent flooding here, given all the mud on the road.



































 
From here we went on to Spirit Lake via the Spirit Lake Scenic Backway in the Ashley National Forest. We had been here in 2017, hoping to find wildlife in this remote area, but found none... just cattle grazing. On this trip nothing has changed, except the traffic has grown. There now seems to be more traffic on these remote dirt roads than on most county highways and given that the roads are narrow it can be quite challenging when encountering a large boat on a trailer or RV trailer behind a truck. Spirit Lake does not have much to it. It is just a campground for dry camping and a lake for fishing (primarily Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brook and Tiger Trout). Spirit Lake is a small lake in the High Uinta Mountains. It is one of the few lakes located in the vicinty of the ridgeline that is accessible by road, so due to its easy access the area has heavy recreational pressure. A lodge and campground border the lake and concessionaires offer horseback rides, row boats, paddle boats and canoe rentals, and fishing gear/supplies, etc, but there is no potable water, just several USFS toilet facilities for the campers, well spaced out. The Lodge has just 9 rooms that cost between $40 - $120 per night and there is dining Thursday through Sunday.
 
It is a natural lake that was augmented by construction of a small earth-fill dam. It is owned by the Ashley National Forest, so public access is unrestricted. It is used primarily for irrigation in the area, but the lake can only be drained six feet below the original lake level. The dam raised the water level five feet and a trench to the dam allows the irrigation company to lower the water level only to the five feet below the original lake level. The remaining water level is never drained further, functioning as a natural lake. Maximum water depth is about 18 feet with an average depth of around 13 feet and a minimum depth of around 11 feet.  It is located at an elevation of 10,160 feet. The temperature when we left Lucerne Campground, at 6,100 ft elevation, was 89 degrees F, and at Spirit Lake, at 10,160 feet elevation, the temperature was a full 20 degrees cooler. 
 
Here are our photos from this trip, where we stopped at the lake to have a picnic.
 
















At the Spirit Lake Lodge there are 9 cabins for rental for $40 - $120 per night. These do have electric, water and sanitary facilities. Thse cabins used to be Guard Stations  and were once used solely for administrative purposes. Before the advent of modern vehicles with 4x4, Forest Rangers would send their summers at these cabins to do work associated with forestry, rangeland monitoring, fire weather and lookouts and other uses.  These cabins and their outbuildings housed employees, horses and primitive vehicles suitable for the bare terrain, but with the development of more modern vehicles and road improvements these Guard Stations became used less frequently. So rather than abandon these sites, the Vernal and other Ranger Districts would like to keep this legacy alive and invite forest visitors to reserve these sites through the Cabin Rental Program. Colton Guard Station, Paradise Guard Stationand Trout Creek Guard Station are available. Other cabins (such as the ones at the Spirit Lake Lodge), and yurts are also available for rental in the great outdoors in our National Forests.
 

USFS toilet facilities are well-spaced out around the
campsites and maintained by a concessionaire.


In one of the campsites (#6) at Spirit Lake Campground. There are 24 available campsites, open generally June to September at a cost of $14/night. There is no sewer or dump station, no drinking water, and no electric service to the campsites. Campsites are on a first come, first served basis only (no reservations) which is very risky as it is a very long drive out there. The good news is that even if there was no vacancy when one showed up, there are many other 'natural' camping places where one can just park out of the way of roadway traffic and boondock. This type of camping is for the more rugged individuals that are ready to pack in their own water, pack out their own trash, and get a little closer to nature.


Hi Ya'll!


An off-road vehicle is more suitable for these roads and terrain.
There were many of these type around.

A view of Spirit Lake with the High Uintas in the background, still with snow on them.

Ready for our picnic at Spirit Lake, this time with Roxy.

Relaxing...

Roxy is so good. Even though her Predmisone makes her ravenous all theh time,
she still does not even beg for some of our food.

Fishing on Spirit Lake...

The water in Spirit Lake is almost crystal clear to 24"-36" depth.

As seen on our Ford F150 Navigation screen, it was 69 degrees F on the South side of Spirit Lake, at 10,160 feet, compared to 89 degrees F. at Lucerne Campground at 6,100 feet in the valley.


The mountain high meadows...
 

and the meandering creeks/streams...

are home to many wildlife that sometimes one doesn't get to see unless perhaps one is out here in the wee early morning or late evening hours, camping.



There are brooks, creeks and streams all over this area.  We weren't sure the exact difference between one or the other, so we looked it up. There are also canals, with fast moving water, but those are 'man-made', whereas the others are all natural. The difference between them can generally be detirmined as to their size... You can step over a brook, jump over a creek, wade across a stream, and swim across a river. But the real distinction between them (especially creeks and streams) is actually somewhat hazy and depends on who named them, when and where they were named.

It's a good thing Mary saw this little calf running to cross the road and slowed down to let it pass.

This was a strange sight that we did not remember from our previous visit, though it must have been there... right? An old abandoned railway car now covered in graffitti, like the McCandless abandoned bus in Alaska (were McCandless died). We wonder what story goes with this rail car.

The only wildlife critters we saw were cows grazing in the pastures


and returning to the valley below.







Oh, and sheep.



There has been a lot of road upgrading in the area and we were
told it is due to the increased traffic to this recreation areas.

An old sheepherder's wagon seen in someone's back yard. We first saw this wagon and were explained what it was while visiting the Buffalo Bill Wild West Center in Cody Wyoming two years ago.  

Beautiful horses grazing on lush green grass.

Signs of the Scenic Byway

Returning through Manila...

And just outside of the campground for the first time... a Lama.
We have also seen Alpacas in neighboring fields.

Entrance building to Lucerne Campground

One of the resident campground Pronghorn Antelope


And views of the campground campsites.


 
See you in our next post...

 


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