March, 7th 2016: Vermilion Cliffs - Soap Creek Tank Trip Report

[ChrisD 24]

Soap Creek Tank is another interesting area in the Vermilion Cliffs NM. Maybe not as spectacular as White Pocket or Coyote Buttes South, but it has it´s own beauty and there are also some indian ruins close by.

 

The day after we drove to the Southeast Overlooks, Jim, Mike, Mal and Jean joined us for this trip, too.

 

We aired down again, after we arrived on House Rock Valley Road and followed this road. This time we went in a different route, as we planned to visit the 'West Side Pueblo'.

 

 

This route later eventually connects again with Pine Tree Road.

 

 

We stopped along this road and started to search for the Pueblo.

 

 

After an hour or so, we decided to continue our trip to Soap Creek Tank, as we did not find the pueblo.

 

 

We went left at a fork and came back to Pine Tree Road, which we followed towards Pinnacle Valley. At the fork, we went right to use the shortcut through Pinnacle Valley. The road to the left leads to Pinnacle Valley Ranch.

 

 

From Pinnacle Valley we followed a sandy trail until we reached the turnoff towards Soap Creek Tank. From there the trail goes slightly upward.

 

 

Shortly before we reached Soap Creek Tank, we took a side trail to the left, which leads to an indian watch tower.

 

 

While we had still our lunch, Mike already climbed up:

 

 

 

After we finished lunch, Jim, Mal and me also went up:

 

 

There are a lot of structures still existing:

 

 

 

 

 

Mal, sitting in his house:

 

 

And Mal, Jim and Mike at the top of the tower:

 

 

After some time, we went down from the 'tower'.

 

 

View from below:

 

 

We drove back the trail and went down into Soap Creek Tank.

 

 

Mal got stuck in the sand and did not make it on the slickrock to park. So he just stayed down there, while we drove a little bit further on the rocks.

 

 

 

Here are some pictures from Soap Creek Tank:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we took our pictures, we headed out of Soap Creek Tank and went into another side road, which broad us to one of the best overlooks in the Vermilion Cliffs NM.

 

 

 

Astrid and me at the overlook:

 

 

Mike at the overlook:

 

 

Nice view:

 

 

There seems to be a road down there:

 

 

Marble Canyon in the distance:

 

 

From there we went to a camp spot above Soap Creek Tank, which is below us on the following picture:

 

 

Then we decided to break down and go back to the lodge.

 

 

 

On the shortcut through Pinnacle Valley.

 

 

At the water tank, we had to go right to be back on Pine Tree Road.

 

 

On Pine Tree Road:

 

 

Astrid took over on the way out:

 

 

We passed the ranch at the Big Sink turnoff.

 

 

On the way to House Rock Valley Road.

 

 

House Rock Valley Road in front of us.

 

 

We arrived at House Rock Valley Road. The right fork leads to US89, the left fork leads to US89A.

 

 

HRVR was like a paved road.

 

 

The sun is going down.

 

 

We aired down, before we went on 89A. Jim had fun.

 

 

And finally nice scenery all over.

 

 

It was again a wonderful trip and thanks again everybody for joining us.

[jgaz 606]

Looks like you had a great trip Chris. That sure is beautiful country!

 

Did I see somewhere that you plan to do this again next March?

I really wanted to go this year but it conflicted with a long planned hiking trip I had scheduled in Death Valley NP

 

Thanks for posting the pics.

[ChrisD 24]

Looks like you had a great trip Chris. That sure is beautiful country!

 

Did I see somewhere that you plan to do this again next March?

I really wanted to go this year but it conflicted with a long planned hiking trip I had scheduled in Death Valley NP

 

Thanks for posting the pics.

 

Yes, it was a very nice trip. No storm, no snow or rain this time.

 

And yes, we plan to go there again next march.