Waterfalls by ATV: It’s about the Journey

Posted bybrantdyer6929Posted inUncategorized
During a hurricane this arroyo can fill with water. Check out the erosion of the rock to the right. The adventure begins.

Several years ago we went to the “waterfalls”. It was a mere trickle though a fun ride so was shocked by the changes made by a big storm and a bit more water. This arroyo is less than a five minute ride from our home. It is a well traveled arroyo with dozens of choices for routes to the waterfall (initially).

Not easy to hold on and video at the same time…..

This was taken near the beginning of the arroyo, and you can see in video how it gradually becomes a rocky gorge.
This burro crossed the arroyo in front of our ATVs. He completely ignored us but was not afraid of us. We can never quite sort out how they came to be out here in the middle of nowhere.

Eventually as the gorge narrowed and the water became deeper, we had to “park” our ATVs. It was a perfect spot for a picnic before we began hiking up the arroyo to the waterfalls. Beach chairs were the prefect choice for keeping feet wet while eating lunch and drinking a nice cold beer!

“Wait I am not done with my beer!”

We spent the better part of the day in this beautiful gorge. The temperature was perfect. Warm in the sun, cool in the shade. The scenery changed frequently: dry desert, lush green mountains, a smooth granite gorge, waterfalls—and then it all changed again when the sun began going down and the shadows changed the vista. At one point I said, this is as good as any national park—-except no entrance fee and only one other small group of people to share it with all day! With that said the area has become increasingly more popular and doubt this is always the case.

It may not be the “Narrows” at Zion, but it is a whole lot easier to do with warmer water!
After about a 10 minute walk we came to the waterfalls. Our friends went above the waterfalls and found a beautiful pool to soak in as well but the slipperiness (very smooth)of the rocks convinced us to do another day
Silvery light as the sun goes over the mountains.
Almost back to our parking lot.

On a prior trip our friend found a great side trip to another waterfall. Surprising what a different waterfall it was. There was no clear cut trail which added to the adventure. Another good spot for a picnic……

Challenging after broken ankle? Or perhaps a good strengthening program?
Pretty amazing right?
Headed home after another great day. Of course I somehow managed to zoom my atv into a big shrubby tree after missing a sharp right turn (disappearing into the foliage to Brant’s horror)–though sustaining no significant injuries.

I can not reveal the exact location of this ATV trip (I promised), but it is certainly no secret. When you find a beautiful place it is so hard not to share with others. And it will change….

When last here they had just built a zip line course in the canyon. For whatever reason the venture failed. The lines are gone but a few rusty stairs remain. On our last visit we could ride all the way to the base of the falls. This time giant rocks and more water made this impossible–and a far better adventure.

Garden follow up: This pretty little moth was enjoying the creek but I knew what was on her mind. She was thinking how about how much fun it was to start up those caterpillars on my eggplant and tomatoes a short distance away…thinking about how much better she has it than her relatives in Kansas. We are learning to share with pests–with use of some netting and neem oil–and getting some beautiful delicious tomatoes in the process!

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