Skip's Sunday Saunter...Christmas Tree Pass/Grapevine Canyon

In the spirit of the season, and to encourage burning off some of the Christmas cookies I expect we'll all be enjoying, I want to do one of my favorite "walks"...Christmas Tree pass and Grapevine Canyon near Laughlin.

Let's meet under the Fiesta Henderson sign at 7:45AM (no whining!). We'll leave promptly at 8AM. I want to leave this early because it's a bit under an HOUR AND A HALF DRIVE to get to the trailhead. That means 9:30 to the Trailhead...11:30 back to the cars...1PM or so back to town. We will be carpooling/caravaning out, and it's a long drive, so if you're driving be sure to have a full tank, and if you're hitching a ride please offer up some cash for the gas you'll help consume.

No need for 4 wheel Drive but HIGH CLEARANCE may be useful for the Christmas Tree Pass portion of this little adventure.

Now I say "walk"...and this is definitely an easy hike, but it is none-the-less a HIKE. There is a little bit of bouldering...some scrambling to get around a 15 foot waterfall...a lot of walking in soft sand. So what I'm saying is if you're a beginner hiker you should have fun, but this is not a paved, level walking trail in the park so at least SOME semblance of fitness is needed. This is a great family hike and is definitely suitable for strong children. As is always the case with me...NO DOGS PLEASE.

This is about a mile and a half in... one way. So it's an up and back of about 3 miles and should take us less than 2 hours. We'll start off at the mouth of the canyon with some spectacular Petroglyphs.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/2/7/f/global_6629311.jpeg

We'll pass through some of the namesake wild grapevines. Then about a hundred yards in we'll come to a little dam holding back some water, then on up to the pretty little waterfall. We'll scramble around the waterfall to what I call the world's largest cairn...more seasoned hikers will see why I call it that.
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/a/2/4/global_6639460.jpeg
After we work around the waterfall, we'll go in and out of the wash as grapevines and brush allow (long pants recommended) and work our way up through the few Cottonwood oases along the way. Finally about a mile in, there's this really cool little slot canyon that goes for about 200 yards you have to see to appreciate. That's our turnaround/head back point. When we get back to one of the cottonwood groves we can stop in the shade and enjoy a snack, then head back to our cars.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/9/d/b/global_6639387.jpeg

Bring plenty of water...sturdy/grippy/comfortable shoes...sun protection...and snacks. I think you'll like this one.

See ya soon!

SKIP 426-2083