| NAVAJO MOUNTAIN | Oct 16 | by BARBARA REBER |
After the very successful South Guardian Angel trip, four of us went on to climb Navajo Mtn. We made a fast tour of Zion Headquarters and headed east to Hwy 89, which now goes thru Page, Arizona. One crosses over the Glen Canyon Dam, an amazing engineering feat and a giant abortion of the beautiful canyon country. A paved road, Indian 22, now connects Page with the rest of the Navajo Reservation. We were looking for the dirt road which goes north to Inscription House and Navajo Mountain Community. This is 53 miles of Arizona red dirt. The road to Navajo Mtn. is approximately 1/4 mi south of the Community. The average? vehicle can go northwest approximately 3.5 miles to the fuel tanks, after which a 4WD vehicle is necessary. We hiked up the road to where at one point, there is a magnificent view of Monument Valley to the east. At a crest in the road we came to some ducks and found the remains of an old trail. We followed this trail to the end and then went cross country to the road again. The summit now has Navajo TV transmitters and many evidences of man and gun. This has to be the most disappointing of the Desert Peaks as there is no view from the summit. This is a huge forested mountain and the highest and largest lump in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. HISTORICAL NOTE: To the Navajo this mountain is one part of the Sky Supporters. The northern Support is called Pollen Mountain, which is female. Her head is Navajo Mtn. Utah, her body is Black Mtn, Arizona, and her feet are Balukai Mesa, Arizona. Navajo Mtn, is regarded as holy by the Navajos who live within sight of it. There seems to be no particular reason why this is true. The general attitude is anyone living in the area dwells on sacred land and partakes of great blessings. "Navajo Sacred Places", by Editha L. Watson; Window Rock, Arizona, 1964. |
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| ARIZONA SPREE | Oct. 16- ? | by ROY WARD |
After the South Guardian Angel trip we decided to do a little more climbing. First there was Navajo Mtn., then on to Rainbow Bridge. South on the Navajo Community road approximately 6 miles, there is a road to the east, a church on the east, an oil tank on the west, signs indicating a branding corral and trade school, pass these and stay on the main road until you pass a conical dome on your right. A sign showing Rainbow Bridge is to the right. Pick a road and hope it's right. After about 2 miles of bad road and you come to the ruins of the old Rainbow Lodge. Between the upper and lower ruins there is a ducked trail going to Rainbow Bridge. There is water about 7 miles down Cliff Canyon. Just below Elephant Rock is a good camping area. Going on down the canyon as you come to a large arch, the trail turns left up over Redbud Pass and then into Bridge Canyon and on to the Bridge. The Bridge can be climbed by crossing the creek below the Bridge and up the slopes and back to the Bridge. A rope should be used to lower one down to the Bridge, there are also holes cut in the rock to use in climbing. Next we climbed Mt. Humphreys, which is no route finding problem. Then on to Superstition Mtn. and Weaver's Needle, Superstition Mtn. is reached by driving approximately 6 miles SE of Apache Junction, Ariz, on US 60-70, Turn left on the Kings Ranch Road (paved), road forks, paving ends (Apache Land is on the right). Keep left, cross cattle guard and turn right, stay on main road to its end. Private property bars further car travel, There is a gate at road- end. Go thru gate, follow old road which becomes a trail into Hieroglyphic Canyon. South of Hieroglyphic Spring is a balanced rock, go to the right of the rock and follow the ridge to the summit. Weaver's Needle is reached by going south of the Kings Ranch Road about 1 1/14 miles to the Peralta Camp Road. Follow this road to its end and use the map to find proper trail to the east side of Weaver's Needle. Climb up the saddle and on up to the peak. We used two 150' ropes to rappel down the west side, which is much steeper. Next we climbed Baboquivari. This is difficult to find because the roads are |
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