Spring Break '11 -- Kanab -- Day 2

Day 2 was mostly spent inside the rental house. We were able to squeeze in a quick trip down the Wire Pass slot to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch just before the storm hit. In fact, a snow/rain mix started to come down right as we returned to the trailhead.

Wire Pass is an excellent beginner slot. It is easily accessed, is beautifully sculpted, and has a couple of choke stones to make it a little more adventuresome than just an easy stroll.


Above: Mike makes his way down a choke stone in Wire Pass.








Above: Rudy and the two Julies emerge from Wire Pass at the confluence with Buckskin Gulch.

I've been down Wire Pass several times, and each time I see something new. This time, it was several additional petroglyphs at the confluence that I had not noticed before. It's possible that some of these may have been buried and that only recently, floods have removed the overburden and brought them to light.








Another feature I never before noticed was this swirled sandstone--formed when saturated wind-blown sand deformed before turning into stone. The Coyote Buttes area is well known for its uniquely textured Navajo Sandstone.