Two days off so made a plan to hike further down Snake Gulch than previously and hopefully find more panels of pictographs and petroglyphs. I figured by camping at Snake Gulch trail head Wednesday night I could get an early start hiking in the morning. This time of year should be cooler than summer when the canyon gets really hot.
I left the Plateau in the afternoon under cloudy skies and drove to Kanab for a few groceries. Figured to be half way there anyway just driving to the trail head.
Plus I could come back on the paved Forest Road 22 most of the way and by then blue sky was showing. The cliff rose, princess plume and mallow were blooming along the way.
The road winds back up onto the Kaibab Plateau through the Juniper and Pinyon woodlands.
Just past the Jacob Lake turn off the road becomes gravel and looked like the Forest Service had recently graded it. Then only a couple miles to the Forest Road 423 turnoff. Because I miss marked my map from the previous drive I continued past the turnoff to Kanab Creek Wilderness and drove 30 minutes out of my way up a narrow, rough and rutted road before realizing my mistake. Finally after about five miles was able to turn around when I got to a another road junction.
Came back to Forest Road 624 and drove the three miles into Snake Gulch to the trail head.
Parked and level before dark but already in the shade of the towering cliffs.
After making dinner it was too late to walk far but I did see the last light glow on the far canyon walls.
And shared the view.
Under a clear cold night full of stars I fell asleep to the coyote’s song. Then woke early in the morning to a gray sky the sun struggled to brighten. The wind kicked in. The Gulch would not be a good place to be in the event of flash flood so I decide not to hike.
Around 10:30 I headed back out of the canyon. I felt a little sad, mad, and disappointed that I came out here and then didn’t hike. Yet I figured to take a nice slow drive back to the North Rim and enjoy this gorgeous canyon on the way.
I stopped in the road to photograph some flowers and another truck drove up towards me. So I backed off the road onto a convenient wide spot.
Also stopped at a small panel of pictographs and petroglyphs that are not in the best of shape due to vandalism. It drives me nuts that people have so little respect. The Mountain Sheep is clearly visible but many others are not. Plus there is a lot of modern graffiti.
Archeologists believe the pictographs are between 2300 and 1200 years old. The rock surface is naturally exfoliating so some of the features are not complete.
By the time I came back across the meadows it began to rain and when I reached the park’s entrance station it started to snow.
By morning the ground was white.
Hopefully I’ll get back to Snake Gulch before the summer temperatures make it unbearable. Yet I think it was a wise choice not to hike this day.
Better to be safe than sorry. There will be other opportunities – at least it was a lovely drive…
Yea, hoping to return if it ever stops raining before the heat of summer arrives.
Crazy weather! Looks like a nice drive even though you didn’t get to do the hike.
More crazy weather today. I could drive through this forest forever it’s so beautiful and diverse.
Your actions, not just words set a very good example. Thanks.
Seemed like the smart decision.
The canyon is a beautiful place to be and coyote’s serenade wonderful whether you hike or not. I share your outrage at the inconsiderate people who would deface such precious artifacts as the pictographs and petroglyphs.
I do love that canyon for it’s total peacefulness. Why does there have to be such idiots in this world. I read how one panel has been used as target practice. 🙁
Wow I cannot believe the weather. People world wide seem to enjoy defacing history, they are mad. So many big cities, Paris in particular, are having problems with the weight of ‘love locks’ damaging bridges that have stood the test of centuries. Madness. love your photos. Diane
Thanks Diane. Does seem sad that people need to leave their marks where they don’t belong. Still cloudy, cold and raining at the NR. I am SO ready for summer.
I’ve never put myself in peril but have put myself in a few uncomfortable jams and I have learned that if my gut feeling is telling me not to do something, that I probably shouldn’t. Still you got to see lots of stuff.
Vandalism drives me nuts as well.
Traveling solo as much as I do I’ve learned to listen to my intuition.
Just marked your route on google earth. Might check it out one day. Sorry you didn’t get to do the hike. And, words can’t really describe what I think of those that desecrate ancient sites. A number of Casita friends heading your way today or tomorrow. Hope the weather improves for them.
Just don’t hike Snake Gulch in hot weather, it’s miserable. The clouds seem to breaking up so looks like better weather coming our way.
Really Difficult road and Awesome nice picture.Thanks for sharing with us keep up it.
Thank you Bilal. There will be plenty more photos coming.
I’m sure you told yourself better safe than sorry. It’s good you have the knowledge to know when it’s not the right time to hike. Great catch on the photo of the rabbit!
Thanks. I can’t believe that rabbit just sat there very close to me for several minutes. I’ve learned to listen to my intuition.
Loved the canyon photos and the emerging blooms. Yes, best not to hike in those canyons if rain threatens. We hoped to hike at the National; Monument at Grand Junction on Wed, but they’re predicting rain, and we’ve seen evidence of flash floods there. We’ll wait and see. Hope it’s now a bit warmer for you – our snow continues to fall but melts almost immediately.
The sun finally came out today and I think it’s going to warm up and be at least spring.
Amazing history there and a great place to camp — except for the snow. Vandalism makes me so sad. I just can’t understand what people get out of it. How can they do it?
I hope to get back to Snake Gulch before the temps increase. I really don’t understand people who vandalize anything. It’s a weird mentality.