The Pass

For the past two years, Kent has looked at the red cliffs visible from our living room window, and wondered how he could get through "The Pass" that breaks them up.  Much like our Arrowhead Peak hike, we have tried various routes from the bottom up without success.  Ultimately, we decided to to employ the same strategy we used on Arrowhead Peak last year.  This meant enlisting the help of our friend, John, to car shuttle us to the Danish Ranch Road, so we could take a top-down approach.  Our route started at Cottonwood Canyon, crossed the saddle (aka "The Pass), and finally made our way home via the Washington Hollow drainage.  It was a excellent plan and a great hike!

Mike is joining us today for his birthday hike . . .
A "shoutout" to John for making this hike possible with his shuttle to Cottonwood Canyon!

Heading down Cottonwood Canyon . . . 
In general, it was a very pleasant walk with only occasional short stretches where we had to boulder hop

There were many interesting rocks along the way . . . this conglomerate boulder caught our eye

The canyon was gorgeous from the very start . . .
The deeper we traveled the more vibrant and colorful the sandstone became

This rock reminded us of the "Thirstystone" brand of coasters

A bolt was holding what remained of a barbed wire fence . . . it was more than likely used to
keep livestock from going up/down the canyon

After about a mile, the canyon walls became less vertical and were replaced with beautiful
sandstone formations

We particularly enjoyed this section of the canyon as there were new formations around each corner

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better . . . it would!

Two and a half miles down the canyon, the walls began to recede . . .
It was here that we chose to leave the wash and make our way southwest towards "The Pass" . . .
It was apropos that we departed the wash with a cottonwood tree still holding on to it's Fall leaves 

An Anderson Buttercup . . . they are early spring bloomers

Once out of the wash, we were able to look back and admire views of the Yant Flat area

It's fun to find scratch circles in the sand . . . they are formed when the wind whips the grasses back and forth

There weren't many cacti in the area . . . but this cholla sure stood out!

As we neared "The Pass", the colorful rock formations began to reappear

How's this for colorful striations?

This side canyon was "calling" Mike to come explore . . . we continued on our way to "The Pass"

Wow!
Here's the view Mike was treated to when he reached the top of the draw . . .
Soon we'll be at the bottom looking back up!

Everywhere we looked we were treated to exquisite sandstone swirls

We have arrived at "The Pass!"
Behind us lies the Cottonwood Canyon drainage . . . Before us is Washington Hollow
(About halfway up the century plant stalk you can vaguely make out Green Springs, where we live . . .
Click on the picture for an enlarged view)

After a snack break, we began our way down "The Pass" . . .
Note the rock formation in the middle of the picture . . . later Mike will climb it and take a picture of us

What's this?  Horse tracks up here?

No way!
Who would make their horses climb up this steep section of sandstone?
Crazy backcountry riders, we guess!

Even the Manzanita are starting to bloom

Can you see Mike taking the last of the sandstone ramp to the bottom of "The Pass?"
Hopefully, this picture gives you a sense of the enormity of these cliffs

Remember the picture from the top of "The Pass" where we said Mike climbed one of the rock formations?
Here's the picture he took, of us, from it's summit . . . Can you find us?
(Click on the picture to get a larger view)

Looking back towards where Mike took his overlook shot from the side canyon he explored

We believe this is called Liesegang banding . . . usually created by iron oxides in the sandstone

Exploring some of the area below "The Pass" . . .
If we would have had more time (or in our case, more energy) we could have easily walked up this
"dinosaur skinned" rock for great views of the basin

A Western Wallflower

Time to leave behind this interesting valley of sandstone and make our way across this
sandflat, where we hope to find a route down to Washington Hollow Wash

What's so interesting about this pile of rocks?
 Mike is standing is where we've chosen to begin our descent . . . as you can see it going to be steep!

Here we go!
This picture doesn't do justice to just how steep and loose this route really was!
(In the background, you can see the ridge we walked when we did Arrowhead Peak last year)

Another iron oxide formation

Have you seen enough sandstone striation pictures?  How about one more!

Almost done!
We still need to slog a mile and a half through the boulder strewn Washington Hollow Wash . . . 
And then follow Washington City well roads, for another mile and a half, back to our home

It's hard to believe this hike was practically in our backyard.  One of the great advantages of living next to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is the ability to explore canyons and sandstone formations that few people ever see, all within a short distance from St. George.

If you are interested in trying this trek, please be prepared for a long day.  We covered 9.5 miles with an elevation loss of nearly 1,500 feet over six hours of hiking.  Should you want our GPS tracks, please contact us and we would be happy to send them to you.  For more information on Cottonwood Canyon, you can click here for a Red Cliffs Desert Reserve post.

Arrow Canyon

We have wanted to hike Arrow Canyon ever since Kent first learned of this narrow ravine while exploring Road Trip Ryan's website.  According to Ryan, the canyon's name originated from two warring tribes that met unexpectedly in the ravine.  Instead of battling, they agreed to a truce by shooting their arrows up a side canyon.

With a warm, sunny winter day in the forecast, we invited John and Mary to join us.  We enjoyed our time exploring the narrow canyon and searching for petroglyph panels as we made our way westward toward the old CCC dam that was constructed in the 1930s.

The road to the parking area requires a high clearance vehicle (preferably a 4WD) . . .
There is a lower parking area, but it will add an additional 3-miles (r/t) of walking

Immediately after leaving the parking area we were greeted by interesting slabs of limestone . . .
What we found most intriguing was how these barrel cactus were able to survive on these ledges

Here's another example of the interesting layers of limestone we saw . . .
On first examination, those dark round circles appear to be small caves, but were actually
different colored concretions embedded in the limestone

Soon the old road gave way to a streambed as we entered the narrower parts of the canyon . . .
The contortions required to get these slabs vertical were impressive

What a beautiful day for a hike!

After about a mile, we came across this rock formation that looked like it was made for petroglyphs . .
And, as you can see, there were many panels at its base 

It was hard to tell, on some of the panels, if they were truly ancient petroglyphs,
or more modern inscriptions created by "graffiti" artists . . .
This one appears to be an original!

After leaving the panels the canyon walls began to close and we entered the narrowest
part of the canyon . . . a place were the sun rarely shines!

Wow!  Look at these cliffs!

At one point it is purported that the width between these walls is only 18 ft

Looking back from where we have come

As we moved through the canyon we were treated to more impressive striations in the walls

The walls of the canyon constantly begged us to look up, but we had to be careful
to watch our step as we negotiated the rocks in the streambed

Mary & John at one of several panels inside the canyon narrows

After about two-miles a side canyon entered from the south . . .
Of course, we had to spend 20 minutes exploring it . . .
It took us out of the canyon and gave us a glimpse of the Arrow Canyon mountain range

It was strange to find these flowers in bloom . . .
I guess it just reinforces how warm this winter has been

After returning to the main canyon, we were faced with a muddy decision . . .
How were we going to get around this mess without sinking to our knees?

If there's any question as to what we were up against, this walking stick should dispel any doubts!

Thankfully, we were able to ease around the edge of the mud pocket and continue on. . .
Once past the mud obstacle, we entered more of a riparian zone . . .
Much more lush and wet than in the lower sections of the canyon

Oh, oh!  Looks like a hiker got stuck in one of the occasional mud pockets and had to use their hands to get out

After picking our way through the undergrowth for about half a mile, we arrived at the dam . . .
We were impressed with the craftsmanship that went into the dams construction . . .
It was truly amazing and has seemed to stand the test of time very nicely

If you wanted to continue on, someone has placed a fixed rope to assist with scrambling up the dam . . .
Needless to say, we decided to pass on this opportunity, especially since the mud appeared to be quite deep
(Yeah, you're right . . . we were never going to do it!)

The explorers!

After taking a half hour lunch break, in a sunny spot just below the dam, we headed back . . .
The only downside to this hike was the constant battle with the Catclaw Acacia bushes . . .
They constantly snagged our clothing and scraped our skin . . . be prepared to do battle with them!

On the return, near Swamp Cave, we met some rock climbers who had come in behind us

Can you locate the climber on the cliff?  He was up there quite a ways!

We had to pass around the big mudhole one more time . . . then it was back to river rock
(In the center of the picture you can see the side canyon we explored, coming in from the right . . . the main canyon continues on by going to the left)

We're coming out of the narrows and only have about a mile to go to get back to our vehicles . . .
It's been a great hike, with great friends!

Have you ever wondered what you might find if you took the Moapa exit while traveling on I-15?  Now you know that just 12 miles northwest of that exit lies a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

At roughly six miles round-trip with less than 300 feet of elevation gain, this hike is suitable for almost anyone in relatively good shape.  For more information, including directions and a map, please check our Road Trip Ryan's post on Arrow Canyon.

We highly recommend visiting the Warm Springs Natural Area & the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge on your way out, as we did.  They are both located on Warm Springs Road and are right across the street from each other.