Rock climbing on the Salt River, AZ Walking with a Wookie 2026-09-27 | Rock climbing on the Salt River, AZ
July 16, 2023 Walking with a Wookie 2023-07-16 | On this float we put in at the Saguaro Lake Ranch. Lovely scenery to start a trip down the Salt River.
Wild Horses and Otters on the Salt River, AZ Walking with a Wookie 2023-07-15 | As Arizona is enjoying a heat wave an extra early start let us enjoy some cool temperatures (temporarily). The morning brought use to some lovely moments with Wild Horses and Otters. Please enjoy!
Vancouver Aquarium Walking with a Wookie 2023-07-11 | Saturday, July 8, 2023 mylovely Wife and I enjoy a tour through the Vancouver Aquarium. If you find yourself in Stanley Park I recommend you visit the Aquarium.
July 10, 2023 Walking with a Wookie 2023-07-10 | In the interest of postponing the inevitable Arizona summer spontaneous combustion my lovely Wife and I headed North of the border for a few days. Here are some highlights from our time in Stanley Park, BC, Vancouver.
Horton Creek, Mogollon Rim, Arizona Walking with a Wookie 2023-07-02 | Spent Friday night camping on the Mogollon Rim. Saturday we headed to Horton Creek.The total trail mileage is 8.6 miles round trip. Total elevation is 2,437 ft. We only hiked in a few miles to cool off by the creek. I'll definitely be back to hike the whole trail.
“Edge of the World” (also known as “East Pocket”). Climbing the “Jenga Rocks,” (AKA “The Knob). Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-29 | I spent Tuesday July 27th camping at the “Edge of the World” (also known as “East Pocket”). Also my first time climbing the “Jenga Rocks,” (AKA “The Knob").
West Fork Canyon, Sedona Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-29 | A very scenic 6.5 mile (round trip) hike through the West Fork of Oak Creak Canyon. The trail crosses the creek 13 times. I'm brought some water shoes in addition to my hiking boots and I wasn't sorry.The day of my visit highway 89A was closed south of the trailhead. You had to drive through Flagstaff and then south on the 89A. This highway closure and detour definitely helped reduce the total number of hikers in West Fork. The parking lot was only a 1/4 full when I started and finished my hike. Location: 17.5 miles south of Flagstaff (9.5 miles north of Sedona) on paved roads in scenic Oak Creek Canyon.Access: Drive south 17.5 miles south from Flagstaff or north 9.5 miles from Sedona to about halfway between milepost 385 and 384.Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE.(Feel free to share)
Aztec Peak, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-24 | A lovely camping trip to Aztec Peak. Just me and my trusty adventure dog Edie Barkell. We enjoyed the cool temps on the peak for a night then hiked to the cliff dwellings by Workman Creek Falls. We ran into an bear along the way. Before driving home I had to repel down Workman Creek Falls.
Salt River, Arizona. Beautiful Wild Horses. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-17 | A lovely, early start to a Saturday. Enjoying cool temps and a beautiful sunrise. The ever present Wild Horses always bring a smile to your face.
Rock Climbing, Hanging Garden (Trad, 5.6) on Gardeners Wall in the McDowell Mountains, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-17 | Hanging Garden on GardenersWall in the McDowell Mountains, Arizona. Trad route, rated 5.6.Pitch 1: Scramble up the left-angling ramp/crack to the base of the flake. Continue diagonally up left in crack to a right angling crack. Follow this crack to a 2-bolt hanging belay. 100' Pitch 2: Make a thin move from the belay into a crack diagonaling right. Follow this crack as it becomes slightly steeper and heads straight up. Go left on easy cracks and face to the top. Gear belay. ~130'. Check Mountain Project for all the beta.
Salt River Kayaking. Wild Horses, Bighorn Sheep, Otters. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-13 | Early morning float with Edie Barkell on the Salt River. We saw Vultures, Bighorn Sheep, a family of Otters and majestic Wild Horses!🔥❤️🔥
Rock climbing on Camelback Mountain. Dougs Dandy, 5.6 Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-13 | Doug's Dandy is a 5.6 rated rock climb in August Canyon on Camelback Mountain, Arizona.Start up a third class ramp on solid granite, and appreciate the good rock while you're on it. Just below the ledge is a small overhang/bulge with a bolt. Pull the bulge or aid through on the bolt (there was an aid sling in place when I did it) to the ledge. Go left behind the saguaro to a bolt just below an overhang, then pull another crux bulge, again with another bolt within reach. Go up and left past a couple more bolts on low angle crumbly rock. There is a final two bolt anchor left of the large 'summit block'. The route doesn't actually go to the top of the formation. The final bolts have painted hangers, and are hard to see.
Climbing Praying Monk, Camelback Mountain. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-09 | The Praying Monk is a feature on the Northwest side of Camelback Mountain that has become a Phoenix icon. It is a 100+ foot tall formation that is in the shape of a monk who is praying. This climb is rated 5.6 with 9 bolts to the top.
The Jug Salome Wilderness, Arizona🌵 Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-06 | Had to make another trip to "The Jug" while the water was flowing. Water slides and swimming pools. This beautiful and immersive landscape lulls you into a deep tranquility only to bring you to face your fears at "The BIG jump". In order to exit the canyon you have to jump (if there's water) or repel down a 25-30 feet waterfall. Required gear would be PFD, helmet and drybag.
The Upper Salt River, Bridge to Cibecue Creek. Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-04 | Having good friends in your life is a blessing. On Friday my good friend Matt and I kayaked a little more than 6 miles on the Upper Salt River. We put in at the Bridge and took out just before Cibecue Creek. About 10 years ago we kayaked from the Bridge to Roosevelt Lake (about 58 miles). This was just a day trip. Please enjoy our shenanigans😂👍Our kayaks are SeaEagle 380X.The in sequence are,Bridge, Class IIIIsland, Class IIKiss and Tell, Class IIBump & Grind, Class IIMaytag Class IIIGrumman, Class IIIMother Rock, Class IIOverboard, Class IIIExhibition, Class III
Kayaking the Animas River in Durango Colorado. Day 2 of 2. Sunday, May 28th 2023. 4560cfs Walking with a Wookie 2023-06-01 | Day 2 of 2 kayaking on the Animas River in Durango Colorado. The flow was 4560cfs when we hit the water. Definitely more challenging at this high flow. We all did some swimming😂👍
Kayaking the Animas River in Durango, Colorado. Day 1 of 2. May 27th, 2023. 4600cfs Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-30 | Some friends and I headed up to Durango to run the Animas River. We've run this section before at a much lower flow. It was 4600cfs on this day.
Climbing Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-21 | Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 3:23am I pulled into the Peralta trailhead in the Superstition Mountains, AZ. My goal for the day was to climb Weavers Needle. I had been on the summit 6 times before. Lucky number 7 did not disappoint. I was on the peak 5 minutes and a small plane did a close flyby. Since I was solo I chose the East side (class 4) for the ascent. I took my 70M rope and rappelled down the West side and then hiked back out.
The Jug Salome Wilderness, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-14 | Time to feel like a kid again. "The Jug" is Mother Natures water park. Water slides and swimming pools. This beautiful and immersive landscape lulls you into a deep tranquility only to bring you to face your fears at "The BIG jump". In order to exit the canyon you have to jump (if there's water) or repel down a 25-30 feet waterfall. Required gear would be PFD, helmet and drybag.
Four Peaks traverse (Motherlode). Browns peak, Brother peak, Sister peak & Amethyst peak. Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-08 | Four Peaks Traverse, Arizona🌵***This hike is not for everyone***The price of admission is blood, sweat and tears. After Browns Peak there's no official trail to any of the other peaks. You have to be comfortable with class 4 and 5 scrambling. Wear gloves! The cactus are still going to do a number on your hands. You can also expect your clothing to be ripped.On Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 4:59am I met my good friend Kagen at the Lone Pine Trailhead in the Four Peaks Wilderness. Our goal for the day was to summit all 4 peaks. Kagen and I have done this before. We've also tried and failed. On our last attempt I was just out of shape and had to bail after Brother Peak (#2). In many ways this was a trip of redemption for me. This was a very full day. Start to finish, 15 hours and 35 minutes.Here's the breakdown,Parking lot 4:59amLeave trailhead 5:10amBrown Saddle 6:45amBrown Peak 7:40amLeave Brown 8amBrother Peak 9:10amLeave Brother 9:25amLunch break base of Sister Saddle 1225-1245pmSister Saddle 1pmSister Peak 2:25pmLeave Sisters 2:45pmAmethyst Saddle 3:58pmLeave Amethyst Saddle 4:09pmAmethyst Peak 4:36pmLeave Amethyst Peak 4:50pmPack Trail 6:27pmBrowns Saddle 7:30pmBack to the trailhead 8:45pm
Colorado River in Glen Canyon. Day 3 of 3 Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-04 | After camping Saturday and Sunday nights we packed up and paddled back to Lees Ferry. We stopped at Waterholes canyon on the way out. The water level was high enough for us to paddle 70 feet farther into Waterholes Canyon than on previous trips. We also saw a lone wild horse.
Colorado River, Glen Canyon. Day 2 of 3. Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-04 | After a lovely night under the stars camping at Horseshoe Bend we paddled upriver to see more petroglyphs. We also did some scrambling up a sandstone ramp the a high ledge.
Colorado River. Glen Canyon, Arizona Walking with a Wookie 2023-05-02 | Day 1 of a 3 day trip in Glen Canyon, Arizona. We stopped by Honey Draw and the Petroglyphs before setting up camp at Horseshoe Bend.
Wild Horses on the Salt River, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-04-28 | A lovely way to start a Friday! We put in at 6:30am on Friday, 4/28/2023. 790cfs this morning. I took the right hand side of Pinball for the first time since the high flow changed this section. It was surprisingly mellow. Saw some of the ubiquitous Wild Horses. I love it when they roll around on their backs like the big dogs that they are😂👍
Lower Verde River, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-04-27 | Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 1280cfs. We put in at the Riverside campground and took out at BoxBar. The previous month the flow on this section spiked at 39,500cfs. In this video you can see debris in the trees, high above the river. Some of the features changed since my last float through this section. One of the main tree obstacles is gone. Just upriver from Needle Rock used to have a reed wall that forced you river right only to run directly into a tree branch covering river right with a small clearing all the way back to river left. The branch is no longer an issue.
Saturday, April 22, 2023. Salt River, Arizona. 1250cfs Walking with a Wookie 2023-04-22 | Another beautiful morning on the Salt River. We saw some vultures and wild horses.
Salt River, Arizona. 6520cfs Walking with a Wookie 2023-04-13 | Enjoying a midweek, afternoon float on the Salt River. The flow today was 6520cfs.
The lower Salt River at 7850cfs. Walking with a Wookie 2023-04-08 | Saturday, April 8, 2023. The lower Salt River at 7950cfs. The standard river access points were all closed. There are still parking options. It all depends on how far you're willing to walk. Pinball was widened similarly to conditions before the Bulldog wash flash flood. The large white rocks at Phon D Sutton were covered by water.
Rogers Canyon Ruins in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-04-02 | The Roger's Canyon cliff dwelling is located in the middle of the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona. It was built by the Salado, a culture related to the Hohokam who inhabited the Tonto Basin from about 1150 to 1450 AD. This site once contained about 65 rooms and housed as many as 100 people.
Reavis Ranch, Circlestone ruin and the peak of Mound Mountain. Walking with a Wookie 2023-03-20 | Spent 2 nights in Reavis Ranch. Also made it to Circlestone ruin and the highest peak in the Superstition range, Mound Mountain.
LaBarge Canyon in the Superstition Mountains, AZ. Walking with a Wookie 2023-03-12 | Great day to be out in the Superstition Mountains, AZ. I parked at First Water trailhead and hiked into Boulder Canyon. When I was south of Battleship Mountain I crossed over into LaBarge Canyon. Over 10 miles, round trip. SOOO much water 💧🤗💧
Robbers Roost in the Superstition Mountains, AZ. Walking with a Wookie 2023-03-05 | Hiking to Robbers Roost in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona🌵Disclaimer, the video contains snuggly dog footage🐶🤗🐶
Snowy day in the Superstition Mountains Walking with a Wookie 2023-03-03 | Enjoying one of the few snowy days in the Superstition Mountains. I parked at the Peralta trailhead and took the Bluff Springs Trail to the Cave Trail #233. Edie Barkell was warm and happy.
Cliff House, Redfield Canyon Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-02-26 | In Redfield Canyon in the Galiuro Mountains a small piece of the past persists. A cowboy named Chick Logan worked gathering wild horses in Redfield Canyon in the 1930s. In 1936 Chick with his wife and 2 kids. Began building the stone house. It took 3 years to complete the house. The Logan Family only lived in the house for a short time but it made a lasting impression on one of Harriet’s sons. Frank Logan wrote a short novel, A Cave House Ranch, based on the family’s experience in Redfield Canyon.During the 1930s, a young lady by the name of Hope Iselin came to Arizona. She started buying up land around Redfield Canyon and also bought the house from the Logan Family. Hope married a cowboy named Honeycutt Jones and they had a son, Archer, before they were divorced. For a while, Hope raised the boy in the remote cliff house. She lived in the house for over a decade but eventually divided her time between Redfield Canyon and a small horse ranch on the east side of Tucson.
Geronimo Mountain in the Superstition Mountains, AZ. February 20, 2023 Walking with a Wookie 2023-02-21 | Spending some time on the North East side of Geronimo Mountain in the Superstition Mountain Range.
Superstition Mountains, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-02-19 | Saturday shenanigans with Edie Barkell in the Superstitions. Poking around the hoodoos on the East side of Geronimo Mountain🌵
The Three Sisters. Superstition Mountains, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-02-13 | Stretching my legs in the Superstition Mountains (Arizona) this morning. Edie Barkell and I made our way to the Three Sisters summit. 2503 feet of elevation gain. 🚁Helicopter rescue of an injured hiker toward the end of my hike.
Haunted Canyon to Tony’s Cabin. Superstition Mountains, Arizona. February 5, 2023 Walking with a Wookie 2023-02-05 | The hike starts after driving through the Pinto Mine area. The parking area is just south (left) of the metal bridge. After a mile and a half of walking on a dirt road you get to an old coral it’s time to turn west onto the trail. The serenity and beauty make you unaware of the steady, gradual climb. 1076 feet of elevation gain over 6 miles.Continue through the woods and you'll come to the intersection of Haunted Canyon trail as it turns north and a trail that continues straight for another half mile to Tony’s Cabin. This is an extraordinarily beautiful little setting, and please do your part to keep it that way.
Robbers Roost, Superstition Mountains. Walking with a Wookie 2023-01-29 | Saturday morning shenanigans in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona🌵I did an 8.4 mile loop. Parked at the Wave Cave trailhead and went up to the Ridgeline trail via the creek bed adjacent to the Wave Cave trail. Then I moved East to Robber’s Roost. I returned via the Carney Springs trail.
Fish creek hill closure of highway 88. Walking with a Wookie 2023-01-22 | Fish creek hill, Superstition Mountains, Arizona.
Starting the weekend off with a hike in the McDowell Mountains, Arizona. Walking with a Wookie 2023-01-21 | Adorable Edie Barkell and I enjoyed a 5 mile loop in the McDowell Mountains, Arizona.
Rainy day in the Superstition Mountains, AZ. Walking with a Wookie 2023-01-16 | We parked at the Peralta Trailhead. We took the Bluff Springs Trail to the Geronimo cave trail.
Hiking in the Superstition Mountains, AZ Walking with a Wookie 2022-12-19 | I parked at the Peralta trailhead. I took the Bluff Springs trail to the Geronimo cave trail.
Saturday shenanigans at Fossil Creek. 9 miles out and back with 1305 feet of elevation😅👍 Walking with a Wookie 2022-11-27 | ...
I’m thankful to have gotten a solid hike in before the feasting festivities begin🦃👍 Walking with a Wookie 2022-11-24 | Hiking in the Superstition Mountains, Phoenix AZ.
Cory Wong @ The Van Buren, 11/15/2022. Walking with a Wookie 2022-11-16 | I had the pleasure of attending the Cory Wong concert at the VanBuren last night. The level of talent was inspiring and uplifting. I definitely didn’t capture the best moments. I was too busy being blown away🔥
