Kent has been interested, for some time now, in a set of beehive formations that can be seen from the Rosy Canyon Road that leads to Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Due to the winter weather we experienced this week (that lead to muddy off road conditions), it seemed like a good time to do this hike as we could get there from a paved road.
Even though the skies cleared, it was still a cold and icy morning, but warmed quickly and turned into a gorgeous day. The beehive forest (what we ended up calling the formations) and freshly fallen snow accentuated the vibrant coral colors of the beehives and the countless number of moqui marbles that surrounded them. It was a fun outing that involved some route finding and even provided Tom with a peak that he could bag.
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Fresh fallen snow on the Rosy Canyon Road . . .
We are headed up the canyon on the left |
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Here we are trying to find a route up through the rocks . . .
We found a chute that looked promising, but it wasn't dog friendly . . .
So we kept looking |
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Our next attempt ended at this dry fall
A pretty alcove, but it definitely was not an option either |
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After a small back track . . .
We scrambled up through some boulders and found ourselves on a nice ridge
The ridge provided a pleasant trek all the way to the beehives . . .
Wow, look at those Beehives! |
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| These cacti look cold! |
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We are in for a fun day of exploring!
(Click on the picture to enlarge this panoramic view) |
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Some of the most unique sandstone striations and embedded moqui marbles
were found at the first set of beehives we encountered on the ridge
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We then headed through a big sandstone bowl to another set of formations we called the
"Beehive Forest"
We have never seen so many Moqui Marbles before . . . they were everywhere! |
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| This iron concretion looks like metal . . . just one of many oddities near the Beehives |
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Of course, Tom had to climb to the top of the highest beehive!
He looks so small up there! |
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Allison then climbed up to where Tom had been and got this unique perspective
of the Beehive Forest
Do you see Kent & Tom (and the dogs, aka "The Mob") in this bowl? |
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| We had awesome views in every direction |
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Allison had a little too much fun taking pictures of the many different iron concretions
(This is looking back on the bowl we crossed and Beehive Forest from the ridge we came up) |
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As we headed south to explore more Beehives,
the snow became a little deeper as we gained elevation
While we stopped and explored this area, Tom continued on to summit Peak 6210 |
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A half hour later we all met up for lunch . . .
We shivered when the clouds covered the sun and were very thankful as they moved on! |
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On our way back we noticed that the snow had really melted
(We are headed back down the ridge we originally came up) |
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| This picture was not staged! This is how we found this marble and it's future mates |
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| One last shot . . . before Allison gets left behind! |
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What was slippery ice on the way up, provided the dogs with a cool drink on our way down
In the distance lies the Beehive Wonderland . . . what a fun place!
(The Forest is actually on top of the mound to the right) |
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| On the way out we wandered up to an alcove & found petroglyphs! |
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We also discovered this seep spring!
Guess that's why the petroglyphs are in the same alcove?? |
This most enjoyable hike was 6.6 miles long and took us about five hours. Tom has posted a great description, as well, on his Peakbagger post and by clicking
here you can get a topo map and gps tracks of our route.
