Sometimes things don't go your way. First you catch some bug which keeps you ill for - according to my doctor - 4 to 6 weeks. So I missed one trip (otherwise you'd be reading a Paria Canyon essay), and planned instead for a multi-day Slickhorn trip as soon as I could - which in this case turned out to be Memorial Day weekend. Would it be too warm so late in the year? Too dry? Too crowded? Well, fate took care of all three of those with one stroke:  When I arrived at the Kane Creek BLM office to get my permit, it was 35° and snowing.

By the time I began the hike, snow had accumulated on the surrounding bluffs. The weather was improving with the rising sun, and I decided to go tentless, relying on a Siltarp or rock outcropping for shelter (if Bear Grylls and Les Stroud can suffer, so can I). I was breaking in a new backpack, and packed enough food for four nights. I was also taking some of my first shots with the G9 - bought for the creative control that the Elphs don't have; and for the lighter weight, convenience, and size not met by an SLR.

Not fifteen minutes from the trailhead, I take an unexceptional step . . . and sprain my ankle. I walk it off by continuing downcanyon, severely limping. After a few minutes I'm better...and promptly sprain it again, though not as badly. I decided that my boots are too loose and tighten them up, as it begins to drizzle.

As I negotiate my first pouroff, I'm reminded of the difficulty one has just walking through Cedar Mesa's side canyons.  In the side canyons you poke your way through tamarisk, willow, boulders of every size, pouroffs, whole trees, ditches, etc. BLM offers several, shall we say, degrees of freedom in choosing your route. You'll see the results of these false-paths and dead-ends - created by the equally free (but ultimately errant) decisions of those who came before you.

An hour or two downcanyon, the rain and sleet begin. I arrived at a bit of a meadow, and find a large juniper to crawl under for what protection it may offer. After some time, I realize I hear a stream nearby. Then I learn that these streams are all around - even above me, coming off the canyon walls. The water was finding its way off the slickrock, the desert varnish tracing it's worn path over the cliff faces.  The rain continued as the whole canyon filled with waterfalls.

If you get into Google Earth, and insure that the Panoramio layer is enabled, you'll see that folks have posted pictures (and subsequently the locations) of some of the more popular Anasazi ruins. This may be considered by some to be bad form, particularly for the lesser known ruins. It's for that reason that we don't give explicit directions on the website. If you're determined though, you'll find them easily enough!

On the other hand, finding ruins through Google Earth/Panoramio was beneficial for me. I learned of (and subsequently found) Monarch Cave, "Cold Spring" ruin, and "River House" ruin. The Butler Wash Pictograph panel was impressive, going on for some 100 (?) meters. Innumerable pot sherds were scattered throughout the area.