Five Seniors

Five seniors from 70 to 73 took off up Campaign Creek to explore a canyon today.  About halfway to Peter Bigfoots there is a canyon few know about.  The canyon is hidden from the road, but if you follow the stream up form the corral you will soon find yourself in a narrow steep canyon.  A surprise is always awaiting people who hike the desert.  Water was absent in the streambed when we started, but about one hundred yards into the hike the stream was flowing.  Until you see it this phenomenon seems impossible but it happens all the time in the desert.  The stream simply disappears into the sand.  Desert valleys are like vast underground reservoirs.  Water has to fill up the pool underneat to move on down.  Another unique thing that happens in the desert is the water gets forced to the surface.  As the water works its way down hill at some point it may hit a natural dame of solid stone.  The water will have to come up to the surface to go over the dam. 

As we go farther up the stream is running more and more and we switch to our water shoes so we can wade.  Next we come to deep wonderful pools.  The going gets more complicated and we have to scramble over huge boulders.  Finally we come to a place that will require a little technical help.  The only way to continue is to make our way up the slope of a very smooth rock.  You cannot get up because of the steepness and the slickness.  After several attempts at throwing the small grappling hook we gave up and switched to some chalks for mountain climbing.  At last we got the chalk to hold and we went up the slope hanging onto the rope.  Cliff and Kadizzle took turns scouting ahead. Rita and Ken brought up the rear.  There were many treacherous narrow ridges we had to negotiate. Many had some deadly falls if you lost your footing.  Winky and Kadizzle had been in this canyon several times before, but it was new to Cliff, Rita, and Ken.   The scenery, water falls, and pools are incredible.  At long last we made out the other end of the canyon and walked back on the road.  Sitting here Kadizzle speculates many youngsters half our age would have been intimidated to make the entire route.  After our jaunt everyone returned to camp showered and sat down for beer, wine and some peanuts.  Another good day.