2024 Hole in the Rock, UT Photos

[Bradywgn71 1,008]

Work has been too busy so far for a respectable trip report.  For now here are my photos and a few videos.  I didn't get much of a chance to edit.  Feel free to download any you like.

[4x4tographer 3,642]

Here's some from my haul! A mix of Fuji and iPhone for your viewing pleasure. 😊

 

Massive thanks to @theksmith for putting together a truly epic and enjoyable adventure for everyone!

 

You can click on any of these images to open a high resolution copy. You can also access these photos, a few videos, and more on my Google album.

Feel free to download whatever you want!

 

The drive up in Flagstaff 

 

Stopped for a quick look in the rain in Monument Valley.

 

It was DUMPING when I was climbing the Moki Dugway

 

Some of the booties I got to chase on the trip, like @squinko's!

 

An allergy blizzard!

 

The "Giant Washout"

 

Climbing back out of the wash with @Bradywgn71 

 

@J2DXPLR's exceptionally equipped rig

 

Awesome signage day 2 

 

Extremely interesting geology at our lunch spot on Day 2. @Ladybug we we're thinking these impressions or "shadows" might be plant life or coral. 

 

 

 

Dinner!

 

 

@Rawhyd showing off that AAL

 

Navigating the labyrinth 

 

Our fearless leader @theksmith exploring an abandoned half-track truck.

 

 

@gearhead's bulletproof YJ

 

 

@kaspily showing some leg

 

Mt. Navajo dominated the horizon for much of the trip

 

 

"The Brothas" checking things out from on high

 

 

@J2DXPLR taking a light stroll

 

 

Grey Mesa and the Sheep Path.

 

 

You can see the steps and wagon path cut into the righthand rock face

 

I think I found the hole in the rock! 😁😳

 

 

We didn't make it to this point, but I hiked up to the top of Grey Mesa to check out what might be ahead.

 

 

The 10%: If you know, you know. 

 

 

Camp

 

 

Climbing Grey Mesa

 

 

Our 10% turned to 10,000% rain. 

 

 

The sketchy part:

 

Headed back to camp: 

 

The ladies of ORP:

 

 

 

Last night at camp:

 

The 10% strikes back:

 

 

 

@gearhead makes questionable parking choices:

 

 

 

 

How'd he even get up there? 

 

 

A parting glance.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2024 by 4x4tographer

[J2DXPLR 218]

21 minutes ago, 4x4tographer said:

Here's some from my haul! A mix of Fuji and iPhone for your viewing pleasure. 😊

 

Massive thanks to @theksmith for putting together a truly epic and enjoyable adventure for everyone!

 

You can click on any of these images to open a high resolution copy. Feel free to download whatever you want!

 

 

 

WOW, amazing captures~ Always love seeing your photos @4x4tographer! The 10% situation is for real~ 🤣

[Ladybug 699]

GREAT Pics!   It gives you much to think about traversing that country with wagons and animals and families with babies.   It's no wonder that by the time they got to Bluff Utah, they said they were done!   It's a long trail, and you guys did it in the rain!   Kudos to you all, and glad that you all were safe.  Some of those areas are, IMHO, hard to find the trail....

Love the pics!  

smiles, ladybug

[ob1jeeper 849]

In Spite of not getting all the way through, it appears a good time was had by all.   Thanks for sharing the storylines and the pics...   🙂

[squinko 69]

Awesome pics!!  

 

[dzJeepChic 2,897]

Awesome photos @kaspily & @Bradywgn71 @4x4tographer. Isn't it just so amazing up there? Sorry you all ran into a storm and didn't get all the way back to the Hole-in-the-Rock. Utah weather in the springtime can be such a bugger! Looks like some offroad fun regardless. Glad you're all safe.

[theksmith 5,778]

great photos everyone! thank you for posting them.

 

i only have few to add, i was mostly busy looking for the trail ;)

 

 

coming into Camp Verde on the way up.

 

 

 

stopped for a snack at the tiny Native American ruins just before Hall's Crossing.

 

 

 

 

 

just starting to head in on the trail towards the Giant Washout on Thursday afternoon.

 

 

 

nearby storms were already visible early Friday.

 

 

 

just tiny Jeeps in a vast barren landscape.

 

 

 

Friday night we stayed at "Frenchie's Camp".

 

 

all the crazy weather did make for more interesting photos.

 

 

impending doom coming from behind camp.

 

 

 

 

the forecast called for a 1/2" of rain on Saturday - i think we got all of that in a couple hours.

 

we sat halfway up the climb to Grey Mesa at "Dugway Camp" for the 2 hour delay-of-game. multiple waterfalls formed right before our eyes.

 

 

 

 

some of us walked up higher on the trail to scope it out while we waited.

 

 

 

 

back at camp, some lichen for @Lichen!

 

 

 

Sunday morning the moon hung out over camp with clear skies just in time for us to leave!

 

 

Edited May 1, 2024 by theksmith

[4x4tographer 3,642]

A few videos!

 

Here's the waterfall ledge, headed down.

 

 

Here's @theksmith helping @Bradywgn71 navigate the sketchy washout:

 

 

Here's the tailgunner's view of the storm as we made the climb onto Grey Mesa. (Note: it's in real time, and about 10 minutes). You can see waterfall start to blossom, hear K's instructions over the radio, and see the rain start to build.

 

 

Here's a video with a montage of clips showing the waterfalls and flooding that developed:

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2024 by 4x4tographer

[dzJeepChic 2,897]

Duuuuude!!!!!  

On the up side, @theksmith didn't have to shower that night. 

Awesome videos @4x4tographer.  That part of the trail looks more gnarly than the last time we were there, and the rain certainly adds to the spine-tingling fun!!

Edited May 5, 2024 by dzJeepChic