Roadtrip 2023 Fall : Richland - Bend - Reno - Mammoth Lakes - Henderson - Donkey Heaven - Sedona - Joshua Tree - Paso Robles - St Helena - Brookings - Seaside


Day 44 - Twin Buttes

Trucks play on the rocks.

Today's hike is on the west, shady side of the canyon. Up ahead is the trail marker we missed last time - we were on the bench below and couldn't see it.

It appears the Pinks have been attracted to this area by all the tryptophan being exhaled by tourists bloated up with Thanksgiving turkey. That, combined with the dopey state of the aforementioned tourists, makes them easy prey. Pinks feast tonight!

Sometimes the landscape here really resembles a formal Asian garden. Well - red rocks and yuccas excepted.

The Team regards El Grande Escalante with a certain sense of dread.

Ella patiently waits while the camera shadow play takes place. Can I go soon?

As usual - Russ is gesturing wildly.

After the rains of yesterday, all of the tanks in the canyon have water.

The Team gets ready to leave the canyon floor.

The cucumber cacti hide out in their secret den.

The grand confluence of Twin Buttes, High on the Hog and Hog Heaven. The little tiny sign behind the trail sign warns of the double-diamond status of the Hogs.

Today's petroglyph find: it is believed this is a diagram of the lifecycle of Mothra, as understood by the prehistoric humans that once lived here. Their writing system appears to read from right to left. We see the larval, pupae, and eventual giant fire breathing adult nuclear moth. God knows how they survived. Or maybe they didn't.

Rarely seen canyon water mixes in with the landscape today - thanks to yesterday's storms.

Sunset comes early in these deep canyons.

Ella scouts the World-Famous Pancake Pile.

Amazing vortex poos. It appears the local vortexes have placed little rocks on these poos of mystery to keep 'em off our shoes.

Picture challenge ... how many faces and figures can you find here?

The massive West Wall.

The World-Famous Khumbu Rockfall, which stops nearly every hiking expedition.

Yes, yes - it's the late afternoon - it's getting cold on the red rocks - howl.

The Team, racing sunset to the parking lot at the canyon exit.

The late light was just right to pull out the colours and features of this tree and surrounding foliage - I'd walked past many times before without notice.

 

 

 

 

 


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Russel Kwan and Wendy Kwan
Vancouver BC Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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