I’ve finally made it to Moab for my annual solo trip – my favorite birthday gift from my wife each year.

The Monarch Butterfly Backpacking Chair

I left home around noon but with a side trip to REI (to pick up a sweet backpacking chair) and traffic I didn’t get here until around 6. Rough. I checked in to my $35/night camping cabin / tough shed and promptly inflated my sleeping pad after trying out the fabric-wrapped collection of springs masquerading as a mattress in there. I locked my room, with provided padlock, and am now enjoying some trout and mashed potatoes at Smitty’s.

Enjoying dinner and some reading at Smitty's Golden Steak Restaurant

I’m excited for tomorrow. I’ll be backpacking into the Behind the Rocks region on the southwest mesa above Moab. I’ll camp there Friday night. Hopefully I won’t get soaked. Maybe I’ll let you know how it goes.

Behind the Rocks Topo Map - near Moab

If I’m not back in Pleasant Grove by Saturday night, someone tell Gisele there’s a topo map on the fridge with my planned route. My emaciated (but certainly smiling) frame should be huddled somewhere near one of the hand drawn lines running between two of a few dozen sandstone fins.

Update:

Here’s my post about backpacking into the Behind the Rocks area via the Hidden Valley Trail.