Peekaboo and Spooky slots

Today we revisited our fave slots ever, Peekaboo and Spooky. We came here accidentally last time, based on some internet tip. Then we got a book that had it listed as a top hike. However, we couldn't remember which route in we had taken and got confused and I managed to send us on a really bad, washed out dirt road 5 miles to the top of the canyons. The car took a beating although Paul says he's taken it on worse roads. It was deserted and we decided it was too difficult to get in, so we drove to the lower ends of the canyons which was where we had started in 2008 the last time we visited. We easily hiked down to the Dry Wash. The upper end of it was dry and enticing and slot like. last time we came, it was full of quicksand and we couldnt get in. But we held off and went to Peekaboo which had been full of water last time and the rock too slippery to climb. This time, we managed to climb up to the opening and get in, instead of walking around. Leo was giggling like a kid in a candy store. It was wonderful, twisty and sinuous and gorgeous orange sandstone. We went up through the twisty stuff, through the narrows, and out of the slot. Some was so narrow, you'd turn sideways and not breathe too deep. and hope you didn't suffer claustrophobia! Walked the hot desert sand across to Spooky which is a bigger wash that leads to a tiny slot. There were some near technical downclimbs past chokestones, but once we got past that, it was very narrow, claustrophic and cool.

About 3.5 hours. We would have liked to stay to do Dry Wash or Brimstone but it was late and clouds were coming in. I'd say this is our alltime favorite hike.

Zebra slot canyon

We drove the hour and a half down to Halfway Hollow, 8 miles down the Hole in the Rock Road. We got started on the hike about 11, a little late but the cowboys on front of me in the sandwich line had ordered a LOT of food. It was a good 2+ mile hike into Harris Wash, and when we found slick rock to climb up on, we got really distracted. It was a hot slog through desert sand in the wash with no shade though, and we all melted down in more ways than one when we finally found a big bush to sit under for lunch at Harris Wash. The entrance to Zebra was a windy and wind-y wash up to pink purply sandstone. The entrance to the slot was filled with sand dunes. It was tight and swirly and had the alternating left and right sides of the canyon swirling in on you. Leo ran the slot. Most adults had to brace themselves with their butts against one wall and their feet against the other. It got so narrow evryone had to dump their packs. We got out Leo's climbing shoes and let him climb up the difficult ending out of the slot with Paul close behind and me too scared to walk up the canyon walls real high with one foot against one wall and the other foot against the other. It was an aweseme slot, as good as they get. We then hopped on the slickrock to adventure home, though paths of moki balls. We next wanted to go to Tunnel slot but clouds were getting ominous, and it started to drip on us too. We forced ourselves to come back. The slog back through the sand was hot. I had to keep Leo going with silly jokes about myself and Paul had to carry him for a bit. When we were about a mile away from the car, we started talking about whether we could see the car, and Leo ran the mile back to the car. About 6+miles in 5.5 hours. Hot and dusty, but well worth it. Next time we'll start earlier to catch Tunnel slot.

First construction project

Leo has been itching to use his new toolbox. He made this teepee from scrap wood. It involved sawing, drilling, and nailing. A bit scary for me but he is unfazed by power tools.

Leo's Smoke Ring Science Experiment #2

Leo did another smoke ring experiment for class. This one was to test the smoke gun openings on the quality of the smoke rings.



If you can't see this, go to http://youtu.be/Jk2l_yVhITU