After a trip to Tropic for supplies and more air in the ATV tires, we headed back to Cannonville and the Skutumpah Road.

Skutumpah road is a well-traveled, but steep road and depending on weather conditions impassable when wet. Hot and dry like today, the extra-fine dirt flows across the surface of the way creating small puddles and pockets of the fluff. The soil is so subtle that the vehicle's slightest movement or air sends it into a dust cloud once again. If you get caught on Skutumpah Road during a rainstorm, plan on waiting it out until dry. The road base is clay (in most places), and travel is impossible no matter what you drive.

Just before the Sheep Creek Dam, turn left onto Between the Creeks Road. We drove down the road a short way and found a wide spot to unload the quad, away from all the dust. The route follows Sheep Creek before turning inland and away from the stream. Rutted and rough, I would recommend a high clearance vehicle or OHV. Beautiful camping sites exist along the road, nestled among Juniper Trees, these are tent only, the drive making it difficult to pull any trailer onto the plateau.

I've been using Kelsey's book Hiking and Exploring the Paria River this trip, and today is Map 8. Before reaching the first major junction (noted mile 1.6 in Kelsey's book), a pull-out and trail exist. A beautiful side canyon not mentioned in Kelsey's book, but is stunning enough to stop and take a few minutes to hike the rim. Linda decided to drop down into the ravine and get a closer view of the hoodoos and wash. Under the dryfall, a stunning undercut cavern exists, and I watch a rabbit circle around Linda as she makes her approach. The large cottontail, disappointed, I'm sure to be giving up his cool shade to this intruder.

Side canyon near mile 1.6 on Between the Creeks road.

Between the Creeks Road was at one time a maintained road, at least as far as the RAWS station noted by Kelsey. The same general area is a "pipe" that is sticking out of the ground, and the road makes a circle turn near it. I don't believe this is the RAWS station shown on Map 8, but it is the end of the gravel road, from here to the end, the way is sandy.

The end of Between the Creeks Road greets the arriving adventurer with cairns ringing the turnaround. A massive firepit resides just off the parking area as one starts the hike toward the summit of UNP 6381 and the point. UNP 6381 is a small mound of white choss that resides along the plateau about 5 minutes into the hike. The spot offers stunning views in all directions and gives a unique perspective of the Paria Canyon's vastness and its tributaries.

Circle turn around for the Between the Creeks road

Linda standing on the edge next to some stunning color. Paria River, Kodachrome basin, and Powell Point in the background.