CATHEDRAL, CANYON AND MOON CAVES, SLOT CANYONS AND JUNIPER DRAW TRAIL

Spent a fun morning being kids again and squeezing through slot canyons cut deep into the old muds that millions of years ago were at the bottom a a lake. The caves as they called them lead you through narrow passages with towering walls often to dead ends but some became so small we could not go any further without getting on hands and knees.

WATER TOWER BUILT BY C.C.C.IN 1934

some boys never grow up!

In the afternoon we did a 4 mile loop trail which followed the formations around the valley floor, we are much lower now at 4,800 ft and the weather was hot.

BLACK TAILED JACKRABBIT WHO IS REALLY A HARE!

AND A POSER! HERE'S MY REAR END

AND HERE IS MY BEST SHOT!

The dark bumpy patches in the foreground is Cryptobiotic soil. This desert glue is alive with lichens, mosses, algae, microfungi and bacteria. Cryptbiotic soil crust helps stabilize the soil by reducing wind and water erosion. These microcosms are fragile, easily damaged if disturbed and can take 100 years to recover from damage. Now I bet some of you didn't know that!

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SUNSET AT THE END OF A PERFECT DAY