Day 8 of Offroading – As we ate breakfast in camp, Tucker pointed out that Cliff’s rear differential was leaking oil. Checked on it and discovered the drain plug was leaking. A rock had hit the drain plug on the edge in the direction that loosened it, and it was loosened further from vibration. The rock had also deformed the protection ring around it, so had to chisel it back to get a socket on it. Also discovered my quart container of gear oil had leaked, fortunately I carry all my spare fluids in a bucket, so the spill was contained. Guess I should replace those containers when they get old. Tucker went into town and grabbed me another quart.
After a late start we headed west on Hwy-12 (considered one of the most scenic roads in Utah). After turning off at Canonville, the next stop was the Willis Creek slot canyon on Skutumpah Road. We hiked the short distance down the canyon. Back in the trucks we found a good lunch spot a few miles down the road.
The Great Chamber had recently popped up on our radar so we included it on the way to Kanab. It takes a number of trails to get there, all with deep sand that tested our trucks … but they came through. Once there it was a short but steep hike to the Chamber. Leaving we picked a route that looked more direct to Kanab. – Big Mistake! Turned out to be the most brutally bumpy road we have been on, it seemed to go on forever. The sand had formed into 10-inch high washboard so we could only go a few mph.
Camp that night was at the trailhead parking for Mansard Hiking Trail – east of Kanab, not our best camp.
Continue to the next day Link to Day 9