Water Holes Canyon Hike, March 19, 2008

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Our rented white Dodge Durango parked at the trailhead on the graded surface of a petrified sand dune.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

The trail drops into the canyon just above the Hwy 89 bridge. This view is to the east (up-canyon) from where the trail starts down.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

View back up to the bridge from the floor of the canyon. I was able to explore downstream less than a quarter mile before I encountered a 30' drop.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

The canyon was very narrow and deep for short sections.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

An old car is wedged into the bottom of the canyon under the bridge. I was able to climb over it and continue down the canyon.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

View back up at the bridge.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Upstrem from the bridge the canyon generally isn't as deep, though it is very narrow in spots.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Above this narrow section it opened up briefly.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

The beginning of a new slot section perhaps?

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Continuing upstream the walls close in again.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Patterns in the water-smoothed stone.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

I suspect these would be even prettier earlier in the day. The sun was fairly low in the sky during my late afternoon hike.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Although I don't think it was this one, one of the slides like this was too high for me to surmount and blocked my passage up the canyon. I had to backtrack, scramble up out of the canyon and drop back in above the obstacle.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Here's the view looking downstream towards the top of the slide.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Another opening in the canyon. This must have been above the obstacle because there are no more tracks in the sand.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Yucca, sand and ledges. Tucked away in the shadows at the base of the sandstone wall in one of these openings, I found a lingering patch of snow.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Continuing upstream and back in the canyon again. The walls aren't as high in this section as farther downstream.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Log wedged in a pothole.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

A mile or so above the bridge the canyon opens up into a broad wash. I hiked up another half mile or so but didn't see any indication that the wash was going to turn back into a canyon so I turned around. Later I found out that the best section of Water Holes canyon is yet another mile or two above this point. Oh well, I wouldn't have had time to get there anyhow. Next time. This specimen of fecal art indicates the route back down the canyon.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

A dead lizard half buried in wind-blown sand on the floor of the wash - perhaps a victim of a flash flood?

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Entering one of the slot canyon sections on the way back downstream.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Exiting a slot canyon section on the way downstream.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Back near the car, this raven appeared to be waiting for a handout. Ravens are about the most common bird in the area.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

On the way back to Page I stopped and hiked down to the Horseshoe Bend overlook. Here blackbrush grows on a sandy flat.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

The overlook overlooks a big bend in the Colorado river a few miles before Glen Canyon dam. Unlike the original flow, the water released from the dam is clear and cold.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

View upstream.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

A lizard on sandstone.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

An ancient blackbrush "tree" about 9" tall.

Photos from hike in Water Holes Canyon near Page, AZ

Water Holes Canyon runs under Hwy 89 about 7 miles south of Page. Although the colors would probably have been better had I been there earlier in the day, it was still an interesting hike both down and up from the bridge. I only had a couple of hours but next time, I'd allow most of a day and explore another couple of miles farther up the canyon.

<

>

Another blackbrush "tree". Although not very large, it might be quite old, perhaps even as old as a tree which looked like this would be.