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!  

  Mexican Fishermen hard at Work We hailed these industrious fishermen as we approached.  We wanted to avoid getting entangled in their nets but wanted to see if they had a fish to sell.  Alas, they were working too hard to stop and sell to us.  Some of these nets can be gigantic.  We watched for 15 minutes as they kept pulling it in non stop.  The man in the red hat would secure any fish that came over in the net.  We wished them an hearty "adios" and sailed on.  

Ocean Surface from Sea of Cortez Minimalism is defined as "a trend in sculpture and painting that arose in the 1950s and used simple, typically massive, forms."  Another definition  a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity .   A large swath of ocean with small islands in the distance qualifies as minimalist.  Many areas appear empty.  By emphasizing the uninterrupted ocean surface, those features on the surface get noticed:  the swells, and small ripples.   This is minimalism to me and resembles mindfulness in it's approach to appreciate what's there.

Yovimpa Point is the end of Bryce Plateau and looks over a vast south land Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point are the south-most views in Bryce Canyon National Park.  The lovely drive down takes time as the road curves and wanders.  Rainbow point is right off the parking lot and looks to the north and east.  This is a wonderful and classic Bryce-type view.   Rainbow Point has the delicate spires typical of Bryce Canyon As lovely as Rainbow Point is, it's not really unique nor are the spires near enough to make you feel like you're touching the heart of Bryce.  The views are too distant.  Better viewpoints are to be had along the road and at Fairyland Point, Agua Canyon, and other spots.   Yovimpa Point is a 10 minute stroll on a paved path through the pine trees and then ends at the south-most point of this plateau.  The views here extend 70 miles to Mollie's Nipple, Coyote Buttes, Paria and many other landmarks visible to the educated eye....

Sunrise at Fairyland Point is GORGEOUS! Fairyland Point is the most easily accessible Bryce Canyon location.  Fairyland Point is the first viewpoint when entering the park, before the park entrance and before you pay to enter.   Bryce Canyon doesn't advertise this hidden gem to those entering the park, but there is a sign you see as you exit.  Sneaky, isn't it?  Well, if you know where to turn, you can see this yourself.   Directions:  from the Sinclair gas station across from Ruby's Inn, drive 1.5 miles south.  Take the unmarked  paved road on your left and you'll be gazing over Bryce in less than 60 seconds.    

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...

  Columbine Spring is the source of a clear Leeds Creek.  Water just emerges from under these rocks! The origin of Leeds Creek is Columbine Spring.  Columbine Spring emerges from the ground in the foothills of Pine Valley Mountain, the largest mountain in the St. George region.  From the spring, Leeds Creek rambles down the mountain to eventually drop into Harrisburg Creek and then Quail Creek Reservoir.  Leeds provides more water for the reservoir than any other source.   Recently on a training hike I saw "Columbine Spring" listed on a map near Oak Grove campground.  Knowing this is a beautiful region, I wanted to find this spring myself.  After hiking to Oak Grove, I set off in the direction of Columbine Spring.  Be warned that travel to this water is not easy.  Shoulder-height bushes prevent easy movement and travel is slow for the whole 1-2 miles.  It feels like torture.   Having committed myself to go, and gettin...