Sidetrip to Salmon Ruins first day--near Farmington
same day-sandstorm near Shiprock
the first day of the backpack--pack weighing ceremony
we chose to walk this road rather than drive it
we arrive at the edge of McCloyd Canyon
preparing to lower the packs
we reach the floor of the canyon
rock formation near Moonhouse ruin
first dropoff down canyon
supposed to be the bypass---no way
no way am I going to step around that corner with my pack--or without
view across the canyon
now we are on the other side looking back at our supposed route . note ladder made of logs
the seam in the rock is where we would have had to crawl with our packs. Plan A abandoned
Moonhouse ruins
inside the protective outer wall, original plastering and paint have been preserved
inner room--note painted stripe and fire blackened roof
Andy in doorway of outer wall
Barbara
up canyon more ruins
note the twig construction of wall
T shaped doorway--this was a kiva
walls are still plastered
some sort of storage cyst
another ruin downstream same ledge
moki steps helped the Anasazi climb to the rim
next day, Ron, Barbara and Terri climb to the rim above Moonhouse--here we are above the mushroom rock formation
found a way to cross over to a better ledge to climb
exit McCloyd after 2 nights
as we cross the plateau we find evidence of the Anasazi occupation
We consider plan B--a descent into lower McCloyd
plan B abandoned--there may be a way down, but it will be too difficult to get through the boulder field with our heavy packs
hiking back across the plateau one more time
Plan C We have descended into Owl canyon and set up camp
Kim patiently waiting for Will to select a campsite
a moonlit night
moving on down Owl canyon
we reach another pouroff which we must bypass
below the pouroff
twisted cottonwood
a deep green pool
Neville Arch
rock formation with faint moon
cottonwood
small ruin
claret cup cactus
watchtower at raised area of wide plain
grinding stone
watchtower across canyon
another ruin--this one was not in very good shape
-
Barbara near a storage area
more pottery
a few faint carings
looks like a road, but it is a trail up to a small arch
camp below Fish and Owl canyons--in the cottonwoods with a serious caterpillar infestation. Ron and John cooking dinner
Roger and Suzie
heading up Fish Canyon
some sort of cat has been at this waterhole
fabulous rock formations in this canyon
last nights camp
Barbara and Ron
Kim
Roger and Suzie with her mosquito net
a peaceful evening
Sue and Andy
Will and Kim
night blooming flower
the final push on the climb out
Andy's camera makes a careful ascent
We stand on the rim and look back at last nights camp
driving down of Cedar Mesa-- Monument Valley in the distance
