Every Spring I head out west to Moab and the desert, my annual passage of summer. To kick of the week, for almost twenty years, we head out early to the desert. Go explore and have some fun with friends before heading back to Moab for the clubs annual Cruise Moab event. This year, my pal Tim concocted up an trip called the “Desert Scramble”. The rules simple: Each day the group conveys at camp, selects a set of new multiple groups for the next day, along with a leader, then sets out on a selected route to that nights camp. It was a fun way to break up a big group, but yet keep everyone together.

The campfires were fantastic and the company as wonderful as ever. Tim and some other friends put in some amazing meals for the group. The first full day, my pal Andy was the lead and I gunned for our group. Passing through some new and familiar country as we made our way to camp in the San Rafeal Swell. The Second day Marco was the leader, again passing through some country we’ve been through and new. It was fun being able to be out on the trail each day with different people from the main group. At camp, we settled in for another fun night filled with good company and amazing food. The last full day of the trip, I we woke to a foot of fresh, wet snow that was still coming down hard. The decision was made to cut the Scramble short and focus on getting out. A short downhill section got me sliding into a bush, but short work with friends and some traction boards I was back on the road. Once out of camp, it was slow progress getting back to I-70. One stretch of road seemed to fight us with multiple washouts. After a few attempts, finally found a road out. After airing up, we set out for a drier area of the Swell. Gas was once again an issue for me So along with one other from the group, we hightailed it to Green River. Back at camp, we enjoyed some warmer weather and dry ground. One last big meal and another late night campfire. In the morning, after a morning stroll, bided farewell to the group and headed back to Moab for the clubs annual Cruise Moab event.

Crossing back into Utah again. Not that I was complaining…

First nights camp was at Fish Ford. A regular spot for us. Nice sunset to start the trip. That evening, Tim had us paired up into groups for the next days adventure. Each group had a different route to the next nights camp.

My group for the days adventure My pal Andy took lead for the day. We started things off on Dome Plateau.

A beautiful morning to be out exploring the desert with friends.

Andy took us to an old Uranium Mine we explored during a past trip. They had it pretty well sealed off this time.

She’s a beaut Clark!

La Salas in the Distance.

Darin and his well built 100 series.

La Sals and Fisher Tower in the distance.

After crossing over Highway 191, we headed west to Green River via dirt roads. Book Cliffs in the distance.

While making our way to Crystal Geyser on some back roads, this hill climb gave us a bit of an unexpected challenge. Once everyone was over, we continued our trek north to Green River.

Andy figuring out the line.

The group slowly making it’s way through the obstacle.

Bruce’s turn.

After topping of the tanks and some snacks in Green River, Darin found an issue with his front ARB not disengaging. So a few in the group stepped in to help diagnose. with the culprit found a short while later, we loaded up and headed west on I-70 for the San Rafeal Swell. We chose for the easier route to camp below Family Butte since the day was already getting late. Once at camp, we settled in for the night.

A little happy hour goodness at camp.

Dinner prep under way.

Some of the crew have become a well oiled machine when it comes to dinner for these trips.

After dinner, Tim got everyone into new groups and there routes for the next day.

Always a good time with my pal Shawn.

Chris Andy and Tim.

Evening sets in.

Camp for the night below Family Butte.

And a fine sunset.

Angelo taking in the views.

After a fun night around the fire, was up in time to catch the sunrise.

Family Butte.

And just like that, the snow settled in. A hint of things to come.

Temple Mountain.

Lots of Uranium activity around the Temple Mountain area.

Marco was happy to lead the group for day two of the Desert Scramble. Heading south from Temple Mountain, we’d pass through some familiar country, having been just a few months earlier, though with a lot less snow.

Oh my beloved Henry’s.

Mike and Betsy passing through some great moonscape country.

Then fording the Muddy River.

Angelo

Last time passing through, this area was a muddy mess.

A great new route lead us back to Capital Reef National Park. Stopped and spent some time at Temple of the Moon/Sun and checked out Glass Mountain.

Lunch stop.

Glass Mountain and Temple of the Sun in the distance.

Desert Vistas as we head towards the Sinkhole.

Gypsum Sinkhole.

Daniel coming in hot.

A rockhounding session of Selenite quickly ensued. So much of it in this wash as we made our way to camp.

Not our first visit to this camp, but man is it an amazing one!

Yeah:).

Lee came into camp with a flat tire.

Happy Hour food.

Views from camp don’t suck:)

Matt cooking up the main course for dinner.

Shawn on the Cadac grills.

The next morning, I found myself once again waking up to fresh snow in the Desert. This time, it was wet, heavy snow. After Raining all night. Again, was out in the midst of it taking pictures.

We quickly broke camp and Tim made a executive decision to forget the rest of the Desert Scramble and get the group back to safety and maybe some dryer land for camp.

Heading out.

Route navigation was slow. Leaving camp the front of the pack was following GPS routes from the drive in.

To get out of camp, we had a few hills to climb down. After a few in the group made it safely down, I was next. By this time the trail was iced over and I braked when I should have gassed. Putting myself into a Juniper. Some friends came to my rescue and after a few traction boards was back on all fours.

Almost out of camp.

Tim back on the main road.

A damn fine group.

Love these next two pics.

Shawn.

Clouds rising.

Finding our way to I-70. Most roads blocked with a wash out.

After a few failed attempts, Angelo checks this road out. Wash was solid to cross.

Clouds lifting. Opening up a white desert.

At a pit stop on I-70 eastbound. Looking back at what we just passed through. A desert full of water and snow.

As the group headed to find a camp, I blasted back to Green River for fuel, with a friend following. Definitely the lowest I’ve been. In town, we topped off the tanks and some spare jerry cans, a snack or two, then of to find the group at camp.

Tim and the group found a great camp just north of I-70. An area we know all to well. Camp was dry and the sun out.

Another fine dinner. We all were hungry after a long day on the trail.

Evening views from camp.

Mexican Mountain in the distance.

After dinner, we settled around the fire for one last night as a group, going well into the early hours. Good company.

I woke the next morning to a flat tire (that would give me trouble later in the summer). Had a suspicion, of cause, being a small wash out from previous day and maybe to much speed. Aired it up and was able to get back to Moab.

Morning vistas. Mexican Mountain.

Wikiup.

Black Dragon Canyon.

Looking east through the San Rafael Reef. La Sal’s in the distance.