Wall: Red Canyon
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S; 1/3200s at f/3.5, ISO 200
Copyright 2009 schnitzerPHOTO
Coming off a week of travel and generally hectic schedules, we found an opportunity for a weekend at home - our last before having to shuffle our belongings over to the new house. With the luxury of a leisurely Sunday, and yet another unseasonably warm day, we opted to stay close to home, and explore yet another corner of Red Canyon - just a few short miles from home.
With the comfort and assurance accompanied travel provides in mountain lion country, we headed back up to the area where Kel's recent encounter took place. Cresting the first ridge after a steep gully ascent, a large herd of antelope poured around a sandstone escarpment, only wide enough to allow what was at least fifty animals sprint across in single file. The parade went on for what was a surprisingly long time. We paused for the entirety, until the herd regrouped in the broad sage meadow far below us.
The hike continued, taking us south along the ridge until a passable saddle revealed itself in the next ridge above. After passing through the gap, we continued south, which took us past a large sandstone wall (as seen in the lead image, above). Drawn by the impressive scale of this wall, which towers high above all other ridges in this part of the canyon, I also considered it to have potential for more petroglyphs, as seen and reported from other parts of the neighborhood. After taking a break at the base of the wall's highest face, scanning the numerous martin nests clinging to overhanging blocks, we continued down along the base of the wall. As we neared the end, I spotted some markings in the stone. There, we found a couple of impressive petroglyphs - these seemingly from a different era than those observed further down the canyon - note the stippled form, rather than simple carved lines:
Once again, Red Canyon revealed more wonders and beauty - it is something new each time we explore a different corner. As the afternoon wore on, we chose to descend a very narrow and steep gully, a direct route back to the road, and, eventually, the trailhead. After two big days of hiking, Suba was completely gassed. The day was a fine one, and, once home, we were already looking forward to the next exploration. More soon...
I love the contrast between your land and mine. When I went out West, I felt like nothing was real. I remember driving through Utah after leaving the Grand Canyon. There is this place--I think it is The Valley of Gods (?)--and I felt like I was in a dream when I experienced it. It seemed like all the humans disappeared. Your pictures remind me of all of this.
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