Journal June 19 Canyon Continued
We continued our hike up the canyon. No more hot springs, but plenty of dramatic scenery continues to unfold.
The towering rock forms cliffs, butresses, spires, needles and many other unusual formations. The lush canyon bottom offers shade to the hiker and habitat for plants and animals not found elsewhere in the surrounding arid lands except in this oasis. The trail is in good shape and we set a decent pace when walking along the trail, but the frequent river crossings (99 for the day), and photo stops keep our progress slow.
The canyon floor opens up some after another 6 miles above our campsite. Tight narrow bluffs alternate with more open basin areas and steep, but not vertical, slopes We spot a number of Elk in the afternoon, including several bulls with large racks. Beaver activity is abundant, inlcuding several new dams, which submerge some of the trail. We spot one of the dam makers, busy at work. Trout swim and dart from shaded deep pool to shaded deep pool. But the animal highlight of the day is a pocket gopher who somehow found himself above ground, on the trail and who challenged our passage with gnashing teeth. He charges me as I take a close up photo.
We push on to get in some decent miles. After 2 and 1/2 weeks the legs are getting stronger and have worked out most of the kinks. The feet are toughening up too and the water crossings are soothing for them.
The morning sun gives way to a cloudy afternoon and as we settle in for bed a light rain begins to fall. There’s few things as dark as a narrow canyon bottom, shaded by trees and high cliffs, under cloudy skies and a new moon.
16 miles, 99 crossings
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