please remember you can click on a photo to see a larger version & highlighted text are links to additional information.
Storied Rock & Soaring Walls
We moved east after leaving the Nevada Triangle of Death Valley National Park. Our travels involved racing daylight as we sleuthed out the access route and spotted each other through a very rough wash crossing. Dinner was in the dark as rain began to fall.
Jim Boone on his bird and hike website provides information about the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area. He also covers several hikes. We were here to explore lower Arrow Canyon and we were treated to an absolutely wonderful adventure.
We awoke the next morning to beautiful clearing skies.
The sign at the trailhead gave us an overview on what lay ahead.
We headed up the canyon.
The canyon opened up before entering the dark cleft of the narrows ahead.
We came upon spectacular petrogylph panels - storied rock.
We eagerly entered the dark narrow passage.
We found petroglyphs and historical inscriptions.
1889
C.W.C from 1932
CC Bell from Riverside CAL Nov 25 1902
Some inscriptions were very questionable.
As was this elaborate shield with ET.
But most of the rock art here was authentic.
The narrow canyon was outstanding.
Desert Marigolds (Baileya multiradiata) were blooming in a side canyon.
The canyon changed character as we approached what is called Swamp Cave.
Swamp Cave
We were stopped by an incredibly well done historical inscription - G.W. McLane Jr. March 7th 1878
A much more primitive inscription from 1881.
We continued up the narrows until our way was stopped by a 30’ dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
A rope rappel was set up along the edge of the dam, apparently for coming down from above.
We do not trust old ropes although the Lady could not resist giving it a tug.
Does anyone want to dare tell her she’s in her seventieth year? No worries. She’s acting her age.
We turned around and headed back down Arrow Canyon.
We explored up a side canyon.
We returned to the main canyon.
Three of us climbed up to a high alcove in the canyon wall. Deb documented our effort.
This was an absolutely delightful canyon.
Our cozy camp was patiently waiting for our return in the late afternoon.
We left the next morning to spend several days in Gold Butte National Monument.
Our adventure will continue in the next series of blog posts.
No comments:
Post a Comment