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| Grand Canyon Parashant Fall 2014, AZ | |
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| | Grand Canyon Parashant Fall 2014, AZ | | | |
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Grand Canyon Parashant Fall 2014, AZ
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| no partners | | Grand Canyon Parashant Fall 2014
Sitting in a chair by the vehicle, looking out at desolation, far views, silence----so weird, no background hum of civilization. No asphalt, no power lines, only a few contrails of high silent jets. Sagebrush plains on the Esplanade, and the rise of multicolored cliffs that seem far away. The long roads leave rooster tails of dust behind the vehicle. We don't see anyone for days, even by the tell tale dust.
I conquered the road portion I nicknamed the Evil Biatch although I dropped the Toyota off washed out berms twice, (once had the excuse of night driving) fortunately a soft landing for the heavily loaded vehicle, 10 gallons of gas and 14 gal of water, food for a week, packs etc. Lots of driving in a large area to canyons, mines, cross country wandering, the usual.
The old mines were fun as usual. I am always fascinated by those who came before and what they constructed. The ore was pretty. The structures neat and somewhat restored. Brian peaked underground by rope, I did not, contented to see drifting clouds, and look at sparkly rocks.
Later we walked looking for a geologic feature. Instead a large area of lithic scatter of the old ones, near an agave roasting pit that was about 10 by 10 feet. The chert was beautiful that was used. I photographed several points, and held a stunningly beautiful one that had a rainbow like arc in the rock. It was large and felt very old to me. You can imagine the young men sitting here working the rock, looking out across the valley, eyes quick to see movement of the animals they hunted.
Another mine, a good ladder and a walk in the large chambers of a large old mine. More colorful rock, shocking in the never ending browness of this region.
More driving, old cabins, spring areas, valuable in this arid part. Night time special in the huge skies the arc of the milky way from horizon to horizon, the dots of light in a black velvet.
Brian, the superb route finder and planner, had a loop to get me into a place I desired to see. The trails we walked were pioneered by big horn sheep and deer. We didn't know if it was doable; I dutifully packed the handline and a short length of small cord that could be used to fabricate foot loops or a harness if needed, as I am definitely the weaker climber. Across the semi flat featureless top, start descending a draw that steepened and tightened up, a side canyon to the main. Finally narrows and shade, a few downclimbs, one I needed the handline for, then we stepped out to the large impressive walled main canyon bottom, with minimal fuss. We walked, and the walls soared. Not narrow but grand and neck craning as you looked up. The canyon dropped and at last some short narrow rock bound pools. It was warm and we were nervous about water, especially with the dog. Charlie loved his respite in the clear cold water, what we had found in a few pools above was silty and not palatable. I was getting sore footed, rearranged my socks, wish I had a change of footbeds, took some advil and on we went. I was a doubting thomas about the exit, but as advertised we came to an intersection where the walls had broken down, around the corner it was thought the canyon dropped into some serious dryfalls; I was tired and did not go look. Up the steep almost brushless slope, the sun lowering but still enough to make us sweat. The last part was an almost level walk with exquisite views on an old mining road. Twilight to the car, welcome cool water and a camp chair.
We rested, most of our exploring by driving, short forays from the vehicle. Next area we again took a side drainage, more slickrock and more little drops, walls shallower, the canyon prettier, more ground water here so more greenery. The main canyon opened, with grand walls and a gravelly bottom. I was all for turning around after a time, then just around the corner, the rock came to the bottom and the canyon narrowed. Smooth sleek polished walls in the Redwall. Walls rising, several large I think Redbud trees in the bottom, lending greenery and shade. Walk in the Cathedral, with sun and shadow, no evidence of prior passage, no trash and no foot prints. I found this area to be so beautiful and pleasant.
When I give into my selfishness about an area I remember what Harvey Butchart wrote at the end of his Grand Canyon book that I like very much: "People have asked me if there is any part of the Grand Canyon which I have not seen or where a person could go and feel as if they were the first to be there. I would have to quickly respond by saying that we might all be cautious in claiming a first because native people have been in the Canyon for at least 4,000 years and seem to have been everywhere ".
We had our lunch and turned around. We had left Charlie at the vehicle because of his sore feet and he was very happy to see us. Started the drive out, missed a turn, backtracked and rewarded by a scenic section of road winding below cliffs, a few fall colors in the scrub oak and other bushes. We drove a trackless road, not well used at all, to an area with a converted cabin and decrepit cabin for old motors etc. We saw old water pipe for a spring made out of wood and wrapped with wire. Such effort for the precious resource.
The magnificent country has had a wide ranging human foot print; you can find the solitude you seek, and the freedom to walk where you want. It takes some effort, but anything that is worth anything, does. |
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