My friend from Denver who owns the red CJ-2A dropped in for a little Jeeping (He just leaves his Jeep at my place and flies his private plane in from time to time). �This pic represents a fairly early start on a cloudy day in the higher country that allows us to get to the head of a deep canyon. �You saw us in the bottom of the canyon in my last post when Carl (Carlsjeep) came to ride the trails in this area. �
This is actually a tributary to the canyon we were in 2 weeks ago with Carl. �It's right at a 1000 feet from the rim to the bottom of the canyon. �
Parked here to walk the mile to the canyon's edge. �The terrain is lower and the sun is higher. �Turning into a nice day.
Our destination was to locate these ancient cliff dwellings. �We had heard of them but had never seen them before. �They can be seen in the crevice a little above and left of center in the photo. �Heck of a place to raise a family.
The only way into this dwelling is through the easily-guarded entrance to the left (Single thick wall extending from the cliff's edge with a small opening). �Very well defended.
We thought we would take a short cut home. �We should have gone back the way we came in. �This pic does not depict the steepness of the slickrock trail. �With just two old Jeeps and two old drivers there was no one to take photos when the "pucker factor" was high. �
Here are a few pics of the same trail a few years ago when I accompanied my friends in their modified Samarai rock crawlers. �They made the trail look much easier than it is. �Had I been as smart as I used to think I was we would not have gone that way in our old stock Jeeps.
Not much of a challenge for a modified Samari...
But, these and other spots proved challenging for the '47 and '49 stock Willys.
Good to get back to level ground as the shadows lengthen. �
Next time BobW and his friend come with the "Big Tire" Rubicons this is the trail I'll direct them to (and my yellow CJ-3A will stay safely in its garage).
