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Please click here for – Part Six
The Subway
We settled into our new campsite late in the afternoon just as the sun dropped out of sight in the west. The Lady and I have camped here at least twice before and it is one of our favorite spots to drop anchor for a few days. I believe one of our favorite New Year’s Eves was spent here, just the two of us. The only draw back to this spot is it is on the descent route for aircraft into the Las Vegas airport. For us it put other people’s sense of what is valuable and what our Earth’s finite resources are used up for into serious question.
Dawn the next morning was so satisfying with first light warming the exquisite red sandstone.
Julie and I wandered to the north to the low red sand dunes tucked against the sandstone outcrop.
After a cold night, the warmth of the morning sun was welcomed.
With morning chores completed, we started out on our hike to explore as much of the red sandstone formations we could fit into a day. Our main objective was The Subway.
As ever, the rock was the star attraction.
We skirted past the giant petrified praying mantis.
Julie led as we dropped off of the red rock plateau down to the main wash.
We bottomed out on the southern edge of Little Finland (refer to Jim Boone’s website) where the relentless wind sculpts the soft sandstone into marvelous shapes.
We crossed the wash and climbed to a highpoint to take in the view and orient ourselves. I asked if the group could pause for a photograph. They kindly obliged.
I believe all of the following photos of them will be action shots. These people do not stop.
And what did we find with our explorations? The photos speak for themselves.
A different aspect of this area, in regards to petroglyphs, is that many here are hidden away in dark passages in the rock. It takes effort to do a more thorough search.
There is one spectacular slot whose entrance is guarded by Catclaw. If you’ve spent any time in the southern deserts, you quickly learn about catclaw.
This is The Subway. I believe it is now being called the Keyhole Slot.
In the darkness, its walls are lined with petroglyphs. It can be a challenge to find them, but worth the time spent searching. Where light penetrated, catclaw grew.
Here’s a photographic jaunt up the slot.
And back down to the entrance.
We climbed out back into daylight.
We found many rock art panels as we did a wide circle back to our campsite, poking into every nook and cranny. Some are incredibly ancient.
The beauty of the rock repeatedly stopped me in my tracks.
Deb discovered this block of sandstone and called it “Arithmetic Rock.”
Steve found this panel and called it “Falling Sheep and Falling Tortoise.”
This is one of my favorite panels, hidden away in a dark cleft.
This was our last day in Gold Butte. It was also our last full day with our friends, Steve & Deb. What an incredible day it was!
We were all up early the next morning. We were parting company and heading to Thanksgiving with family.
Hugs and goodbyes were shared. We had spent 10 nights together with the corresponding days filled with hiking, adventure, and discovery.
A big thank you to Deb & Steve for a grand and wonderful time and your excellent company!
The Lady and I had a 400 mile drive ahead of us. We had reservations at a RV Park in Gila Bend, Arizona for the night - an RV Park with laundry and showers. We had a lot of cleaning up to do after two weeks in the backcountry. Then, it was on to Thanksgiving with family.
The story continues. Please click here for - Part Eight
Thanks to you, Monte and Julie for such a memorable trip! xo
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. It was a pleasure!
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