Slickrock and Shadow

Leeds Waterfall  The locked gate forced me to walk up the dirt road to Oak Grove for my hiking exercise this day.  Walking allowed me to SEE things that would overwise whiz right past me in a car.  Walking allowed me to HEAR those things too. So I HEARD falling water, I looked off the roadside and I SAW this lovely gem of a waterfall.  It's certainly worth a skinny dip to cool off on a hot day.  It's also worthy of a landscape photograph too!  

Darwin Falls with the reeds on the left.  What a beauty! I found myself passing Darwin Falls trailhead this past summer en route to the Sierra Mountains.  As cool as they would be, Death Valley was roasting at 118° F.  Though I'm no stranger to triple-digit temperature, this was a new record for hiking conditions.  I was literally passing through in the middle of the day, with the sun directly overhead.  One step out of the air-conditioned Subaru and I was uncomfortably hot.  I felt like I was standing too close to a roaring campfire the whole time.   2 miles and I could see no sign of shade.  Taking only my hat, water bottle, camera and tripod, I marched off as efficiently as I could.  Marching in place in a sauna would be the best training for this hike.  After 20 minutes of hiking up the wash, water and trees appeared in the canyon.  Grateful for the shade, I hopped over a few puddles and then water flowed slowly down the sh...

Temples of Zion from Coal Pits Wash Coals Pits Wash is a beautiful spot for anyone wanting to escape the crowds of Zion National Park.  This secluded area has a great trail into remote canyons.  The further you explore, the more rugged the scenery and trail.  As this follows a wash, the climb is pretty level if you come up from Rockville area.  Another shortcut is from Dalton Wash Road, passing a landmark cinder cone. I came here for my birthday during the pandemic and saw no one else.  My daughters accompanied me as we explored to the ends of two canyons:  Coal Pits and the next-north canyon, Jennings Wash.  Both have water in the Spring, making drinking water an easy thing.  This is not the case in the hot summer, FYI. Coal Pits Wash, typical views in the lower sections.   Waterfall and Plant Life in Upper Coal Pits Wash Water Slicing Through Sandstone Layer in Coal Pits Wash Creating a Series of Tiny Lovely Waterfal...

Steven's Arch high above Coyote Gulch is an excellent detour! Coyote Gulch has world-class photo opportunities and I'm here to show you the best spots to visit.  I'll share lens recommendations as well as time of day advice.  Coyote Gulch has so much to offer in scenery, relaxation, adventure.  I spent 3 days and 3 nights here and want to return again soon. Starting at the Escalante River and then going in upstream order , I shall list the sights and give you my 2¢. Stevens Arch: The most important thing to know about Stevens Arch:  it get better and better as you get closer.  The view from the Escalante River is very fine but if you climb and get up close, you will be richly rewarded. Like many days, the skies were clear in the morning, clouds gathers in the afternoon and then turned overcast.  Hiking up in the morning allowed me to have mostly blue skies and just a few clouds here and there to add interest.  I just waited a few minu...

Deer Creek:  Waterfalls of the Patio drop into Slot Canyon Deer Creek is a must-see stop at mile 137.  The massive raging waterfall of Deer Creek drops over 100 feet and can be seen from the river as you float past.  The huge waterfalls overwhelms me and others who try to draw close.  Mist, wind from the falling water create a mini-hurricane at the pool.  This is a wonderful place to swim and marvel at the power of water + gravity.   Brave souls can climb up to the patio above the waterfall where smaller photogenic waterfalls drop into a slot canyon that leads to the big drop you witnessed below.  This is a shady pleasant spot for relaxation and reverie.   Photo tip:  photograph the narrows from above from both sides of the canyon .  The views are different and rewarding on each side.   Up on the patio:  cactus on one side, waterfall on the other. Deer Creek Waterfall, Grand Canyon Deer Cre...

Stone Creek Waterfall:  Highlight of the Grand Canyon Stone Creek is the best hike from the Colorado River. Stone Creek is my favorite place in the Grand Canyon. Stone Creek is a dream come true. Stone Creek has two waterfalls which are a short distance from the beach.  They are beautiful but better things await the explorer.  Simply bypass these lower waterfalls and keep climbing up.  The third waterfall is a pleasant 2-tier drop.  On our hot climb up we each put our back on the wet wall and let the shower drench us.  On my return trip later that day I took photos with the waterfall in the shade.   Natural shower at Stone Creek Waterfall Lovely Stone Creek Waterfall Stone Creek waterfall and wildflowers.  Trying to capture these without excessive wind motion was difficult.   This third waterfall is quite beautiful but only midway up the canyon.  Easily bypassed, we continued upwards as we followed t...

Garden Creek Waterfall Ed said the Bright Angel Trail was better than Phantom Ranch .  The T-shirt and lemonade at Phantom Ranch sounded good to me but T-shirts and lemonade are manmade.  They exist outside the Grand Canyon but it'd be cool to say I got a T-shirt at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  However a seasoned GC hiker, Ed, said that the Bright Angel Trail up to Indian Gardens was beautiful and a much more satisfying adventure.  Plus I'd get to hike out with my friends until I met my wife and brother-in-law.  This was part of the exchange at Phantom Ranch.  Some were just doing half the canyon so they left and were replaced by other travelers. I chose to hike out and also explore.  The trail up Bright Angel is pleasant, beautiful, smooth and maintained.  This was a sharp contrast to the Tabernacle Trail a two days earlier.  The friends departing felt like close family members by now and it was hard to see them go.  We had ...