12/3/2005
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This is a 3D view of the hike. The GPS unit lost track of a couple satellites in the narrow sections of the canyon resulting in a somewhat flakey track in those areas, but overall this was the hike.
12/3/2005
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This is a view from about the saddle. Tortilla creek runs between us and the double mound hill. We have to go around the right of the hill, but the sloped butte is about where Peters canyon enters.
12/3/2005
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Almost to Tortilla creek (for the second time - we crossed it once already to get to the saddle). The creek is in the background where the colorful tree is standing.
12/3/2005
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There is some color in the canyon.
12/3/2005
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We have passes to the right of the double mound hill (see first photo). Still heading for the sloped butte. Notice the boulders up ahead - those are nothing.
12/3/2005
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More color in the canyon. I don't know this flower, but we spotted it several times on the hike.
12/3/2005
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This is at the intersection of Tortilla and Peters canyon, looking into Peters canyon.
12/3/2005
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The beginnings of the first major boulder field in Peters canyon. We are only a short distance, probably a quarter mile, into Peters canyon.
12/3/2005
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Raji attempts to beat back the boulders with a stick - she was not successful.
12/3/2005
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This shows the size of the boulders. Although this section was the most difficult, it was not the only boulder section we had to cross.
12/3/2005
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For some reason people seem concerned that I do not appear in any of my photos. Well, this is me. We are a little past the top of the boulder field, and a little beyond the turn around point of the Novembe hike. This view is looking back the way we came.
12/3/2005
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Heading upstream in Peters canyon. After the boulders, the travel was a little easier.
12/3/2005
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This stretch of the canyon was mostly flat, but with a few large pools of water
12/3/2005
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Okay, now we have it easy. This was like walking on a sidewalk. Unfortunately it didn't last too long.
12/3/2005
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After the sidewalk we encountered an area with large deep cuts across the canyon floor. Every one still held water. Several of these pools were quite deep.
12/3/2005
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A little further along the canyon we noticed a steep, but relatively smooth, path heading up the left side of the canyon. It looked passable, so using feet and hands, we scaled it. This is a view from up on the west canyon wall looking down stream. BTW, that's me again!
12/3/2005
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A view further up the canyon. We took a break in a spot with shade.
12/3/2005
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Up against the west wall in another narrow section of the canyon. It is now 11:00 and we have been hiking for 3 hours. We know that Peters cave is close by, and we started talking about turning around at the cave.
12/3/2005
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There it is. Peters cave. It was just around the corner.
12/3/2005
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Wouldn't you know it. There had to be another boulder field separating us from Peters cave.
12/3/2005
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Getting closer to the cave. The big brown boulder on the right is blocking the view of the cave.
12/3/2005
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Raji provides a reference scale to show the size of the boulders.
12/3/2005
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Safety first. It is best to be cautious before passing through a narrow section of the canyon with high shear walls. Raji is counting cracks in the east side. Just what is the cut-off quantity for passing? 10,000? 1,000,000?
12/3/2005
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We are now a little past the cave, looking back the way we came. This is our turn around point. I thought it was interesting that at a point in a canyon with very steep walls, that someone was kind enough to leave a cairn to show the path.
12/3/2005
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By 12:30 we are back to the sidewalk area. We are making good time on our return trip.
12/3/2005
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These are large, very large onions. The stems are about chest high.
12/3/2005
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A short rocky section between the sidewalk area we just passed and the one up ahead.
12/3/2005
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We are now at the top of that major boulder field in Peters canyon.
12/3/2005
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12/3/2005
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Looking back at the boulder field we just came down. The wall in the background is illuminated by light reflecting off the opposite wall.
12/3/2005
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A tree. I took this photo because I lost my footing and fell. Seemed like a good place for a rest.