Rare to see a bathroom on most trails and if you do, sometimes they’re not being serviced and/or are locked. 5.5 Miles into the Hurricane Rim trail, I came to the Virgin River Dam trailhead, which to my surprise had a fully functioning bathroom!

The metal door seemed a little warped and didn’t shut perfectly, but I pulled it tight and secured the deadbolt as far as it would turn. I finished my business and was ready to run just a few more miles to where my husband, Dave would be waiting as a mobile aid station. To my dismay, the deadbolt would not turn to disengage fully. No matter how I tried, I could not open the door. It was as if the door jamb and door were fused together. Getting in an athletic stance, I rammed my shoulder and hip into the door trying to get even a sliver of movement. I tried to kick the door open several times…blow after blow with no reward. It was just absolutely stuck.

This particular trailhead is what you would call primitive, but I called out a few times hoping to alert anyone outside that I was stuck, but nobody heard me. Two windows inside the bathroom were placed high and were triangular without latches or hinges. My only option was to call Dave. Thankful for cell service, he was about 10 minutes down the road and was en route. So I stood there as patiently as I could and waited. Dave arrived with a rock hammer, which he used to pry the door enough for me to jimmy the deadbolt lever and disengage. WHEW! The door swung open and there was my guy smiling at my silly situation.

BACK TO THE TRAIL…