When looking for information on
Yellow Rock (see the following post), we came across several fun day hikes. One of these was called The Nautilus. If you're wanting an easy hike (and easy access), this may be the trail for you. Located a mile and half off HWY 89 near the Paria Contact Station, is a small slot-like canyon that is carved in a spiral manner out of an ancient sand dune. A short half-mile walk will take you to the hidden entrance of this unique ravine carved by wind and water.
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This red sandstone formation towers over this ancient white sand dune . . .
The Nautilus is a mini-slot canyon carved out of sand dunes, such as this one
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We walked up a dry stream bed watching for cracks in the sandstone
All of a sudden we see it . . . the Nautilus! |
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| Our first glimpse of the Nautilus as we enter from the bottom . . .Wow! |
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Unlike most slot canyons that are straight . . .
This one twists, swirls and spirals! |
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| This is a panorama view from top to bottom |
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Kent and Chipper at the entrance of the Nautilus . . .
I imagine water would flow towards the bottom after a good rainfall |
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| Looking down from where Kent and Chipper were standing |
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Could this interesting streak be a form of desert varnish?
The tentacles remind me of a pictograph gone bad! |
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Here's an interesting rock secretion (couldn't think of a better description)
It was located just below the streak pictured above |
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| Such intricate details in the sandstone |
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| Even this area beyond the Nautilus is amazing . . . |
Click
here for a Google interactive map of the area surrounding the Nautilus.
