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Anniversary Narrows, NV,
11-10-06
by Paul Grube
Jennifer and I looked forward
to this day hike near our home in Las Vegas, NV.
Living within easy driving distance of the canyon
lands is a benefit of living in the desert
southwest. We began our hike mid-morning. The
trailhead of this hike is located in a dry wash.
The trail opens to a desolate plateau and traverses
the rolling foothills of the Muddy Mountains. After
several miles the trail drops into another wash that
trickled with intermittent water. According to our
trail map the beginning of the Anniversary Narrows
slot canyon was less than a mile away.
The sandstone ridges began to
rise in the distance as the wash narrowed. Finally,
we reached the slot and it became apparent that
navigating pockets of cool water would be necessary
to experience the upper reaches of the slot.
The first steps into the water
were uncomfortable. The murky water is kept cool by
the shade of the narrow cliffs. We took turns
feeling for the uneven depths with our toes before
proceeding further.
The colors of the sweeping
sandstone drew us further up the canyon.
The path through the canyon
became narrow and steep. Finally after ¼ mile the
canyon reopens and we make it through the slot. We
rest for a few moments and warm ourselves in the sun
before returning via the same route.
On the way back we explore
some abandoned mine sites. The area was mined for a
variety of minerals. Borax was the primary goal of
miners more than 70 years before us. We eat a small
snack and examine mine tailings before returning to
the trail and finally back to our car.
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