16.5 miles, 8.5 hours

We were so happy to have a warm and sunny day today! Feeling cheered by the morning sun, we scooted down the road toward the Gut, a big wrinkle pushed up in the land. When we walked up to the top, before heading down into the Gut I checked for cell reception on my Blackberry (Oscar) and had fun hearing the chime for each new email. The reception wasn’t enough to send out email, but I knew I’d have fun reading the one I’d received.

After the Gut we came to Round Valley Draw, and soon after the entrance to the first real slot canyon of the hike. We had to squeeze ourselves down in, removing our packs to fit. Right away we came to a big drop with a knotted rope tied off at the top, so I climbed down first and Dave lowered the packs and then followed.

The morning light brought out the orange colors in the grooved, curving walls and in places they seemed to glow. Other sections were so narrow and deep hardly any light made it to the bottom. I’ve never seen this in person and I kept getting all excited just to be there in the middle of it. It took a while to make our way through and we enjoyed every minute of it, though it was challenging in places.

Hackberry Canyon was wider and dry with a flat, sandy bottom. Tall, tan sloping walls were dotted with dark green pinyon and juniper. The sun on the sandy bottom was so bright, it was like watching a high-contrast western film. After a few springs contributed their trickle, a good stream took over the bottom of the canyon.

We are now lying on a sandy bank by the stream, under a huge amphitheater in the curve of the canyon. The cottonwood leaves are rustling in the breeze, and the sweet smell of willow thickens the air.