Greetings! Had fun on the senior hike last Saturday. Had about 18 people. Made me nervous; making sure all were ok and having a good hike. Turns out we all made it! Even the one guy with his
"new knee" replacement.
Total hike was six miles round trip.
Lots of picture rock to look at. That was the main attraction.
The group was in two halves; the fast half, and the slower half.
The guy with the new knee was dead last. I was bobbing back and forth between the two groups. I had a great time, they were a fun bunch, but I am also glad it's over. [xx(]
Then, once they headed home, (no one was up for more fun)
I went over to a favorite place of mine. The old movie set from:
"THEY CAME TO CORDURA" Starring Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, and Tab Hunter. It was shot at this old fortress in Southern Utah.
At the end of the movie, the fort was stormed by hundreds of cavalry
troops and blown to bits. Then, the movie folks just left the pieces and headed back to Hollywood. This is all that is left.
It was a beautiful Afternoon, but the sun was sinking fast! I headed up canyon as I crossed the culvert, I couldn't help but think of the old fellow that Too Many Canyons mentioned who had just died there in a flood. You see, you have to cross a concrete ditch always filled with about a foot deep of water to enter the canyon.
This fellow tried to cross it two weeks ago during a flood. He was washed all the way down stream to the nearby Lake. They dredged the lake and found his body the other Saturday. Too sad...
This lone Cholla looked pretty setting up on the sandy hill part way in the canyon.
This ancient Indian alcove sets in the first sharp bend of the canyon.
The cool thing is how huge this is.
Definitely a refuge from the weather. Inside, you can see the resin on the ceiling at one end from years and years of fires burning.
Then, there's this pictograph. It has been scarred by vandals, though. Yet, it still looks pretty cool.
Once back down into the stream bed, it's time to head up canyon.
Come on sun, stay with me...[8D]
Pretty waterfall cascading off the slickrock!
Do you notice the hand holds? They are supposedly original. Everyone who wants to proceed up canyon uses these Mokie holes to travel up over the little falls. The rope is provided by the camp host and BLM. The hand holds were used by ancient Indians way before I ever used them to get up over the falls.
Out of Daylight.... If you travel up creek, it gets steeper and eventually comes out in the foothills of Pine Mtn.
WEll, off to Vegas this Friday and SAt. Wish me luck!!
----------------------------------------
May your trails be crooked, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views ! Edward Abbey