Top o' The Red Mountain (Dec 2007)

The following photos were taken during the last week from two separate hikes up to the top of the Red Mountain. The first hike took place with Mike in between some big rain storms from Mike's house on the Kayenta side near "Hellhole," up the "Notch". Once on top we traversed over slickrock to the area up above Hellhole that feeds all the beautiful waterfalls. The clouds were threatening snow, but for moments in between there was no wind and patches of sun. I decided to take a December dunk, and briefly submerge myself in one of these pools.

The second hike was two days later with Kim from our side of the mountain (Padre Canyon) up what I call "AC/DC"--a super steep, zigzagging, puzzling, traversing slickrock ledge & ramp system all the way to the top. We traversed across and Red Mountain, and came down the Gunsight, safely back home.




Looking down the Notch at Kayenta. Mike's house is out there somewhere.

















The Shangri-La waters on top made swimming here inviting and beautiful, but the 45 degree air and water temps made it unbearable!













Me on top. This photo does zero justice with the true depth and perception. The 'puddles' you see behind me are big pools and ponds.









Sheer walls, cracks, ledges, chimneys, and zigzagging slickrock ramps make up the AC/DC climb of 1500' above the floor of Snow Canyon. And the views of Kim and beyond are out of this world!