Lava Falls Trail- February 2007

Day 1 Lava Falls
We had decided to try the Lava Falls trail one more time. This trail is really just a break in the lava field at Toroweep. Toroweep is the highest unprotected (no fence) point along the Grand Canyon. The 'trail' falls 3500 feet to the Colorado River in 1.5 miles. We have attempted to hike this trail 3 previous times since 1999, but for various circumstances have not succeeded (sounds like some drama.... well there is)

We arrived late at night to the turn off. It is still 60 miles on unimproved roads to reach Toroweep, once off the highway. We spent a very cold night in our rental vehicle.


















Gravity really takes care of the way down....









You finish just short of the very large Lava Falls rapids on the Colorado River



Its going back up that is the challenge...



But this time we made it....

Page, Antelope Canyon, Wire Pass Slot Canyon- February 2007

Day 2
We spent the next day in Page Arizona. We were amazed to see for ourselves how low the water is in Lake Powell

The white 'bath tup ring' on Lone Rock represents where the water line used to be. We were here in 1999 and it was up to that level.

We visited the famous Antelope Canyon and took the tour. You are only allowed a limited time to view the canyon and you must be escorted through.

We then went and hiked a very narrow 'slot canyon' called Wire Pass. It was a very tight squeeze in spots and had some nice obstacles. We discovered some fine petroglyphs.

Rainbow Bridge Trail- February 2007

Day 3We attempted to use the Navajo Mountain Trail to reach Rainbow Bridge Monument by land. The Falcon guide book lists it as 12 miles round trip. It is 12 miles each way! The route is also very hard, going in and out of 5 canyons before you have finished 8 miles.















The snow turned out to be very deep in spots on the 5th canyon









Some of the most beautiful canyons I have ever seen




We didn't make it to the Bridge, but we found a lovely spot near a creek to make camp and have a nice evening under the stars. We were in the bottom of the canyon pictured above and the stars would appear and disappear around the tops of the canyon walls thousands of feet above.


We were not alone in our camp site.....

A couple of days of wet feet and they didn't look so good!

a look at how rough the last mile of road was till the trail head. I am sure it was a road at one time, but not anymore...