Hike in a nameless canyon

It’s been cold, I’ve been dealing with a leaky hot water tank, Bill’s been organizing maps and papers.  Oh how we both needed to get out for a hike.  Tuesday’s high of 60F seemed just perfect for a hike in a nameless canyon.  So we headed off to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

We’ve hiked here before but during August heat so didn’t get far before I found a nice shady Juniper where we sat for lunch chatting for hours.  This time I moved along a little faster with just a nip in the morning air but thankfully no wind.  Yet I did see a little ice along the Paria River.

Even with cooler temperatures Sasha searches for shade while we soak up the sun’s thermals.

Any easy walk in a dry wash that shows evidence of powerful water.  Rolling sandstone, towering cliffs and eroded battlements line the way.  (Remember this spot and note the juniper tree on the high right bank.)

Small rocks mimic the big.  This about 4 inches tall.  Hey I like rocks.

I am also attracted to the sculptural shapes of the dead junipers.  They live so long and grow so slow.

Side canyons off this side canyon beckon to be explored.  But they don’t go far and end abruptly.  The power of water is so impressive, carving rock and revealing geologic time.  I would love to watch the waters flow from a safe place up high.

The canyon ends for us today with a huge overhanging spillway in a wide arc.  The ledge at least 20 feet above.

It may be dry right now but in the shade hangs evidence of at least some recent flow, and cold nights.

The next level looks intriguing but a bit difficult to access especially for a dog.  Besides we want to explore another side canyon we passed so turn around and head back down.

Which always provides a different view.

So on the way back, where you’re suppose to remember the third photo above, I noticed these heavy roots growing out of the rock and reaching for at least a potential for water.  That juniper has got to be at least 20 feet above the wash on a bench.

I marvel at the tenacity of life in this arid land.

Where we hit another dead end provided a marvelous rock bench to sit and have lunch.  And I didn’t take any photos of that.  Oh well, sometimes I need to just absorb and enjoy the beauty and the company.

Almost back to the truck we saw three hikers with a dog.  At least one of them is from Kanab.  Sasha and their 10 year old male dog had great fun chasing each other around on the sandy wash.  If the nice weather holds we’re planning another hike on Thursday.  Tomorrow, the camper goes back on the truck!