During my Spring 2010 trip, my friend Charlie and I hiked into a remarkable unvisited canyon located somewhere in the Grapevine Mountains. During our hike, we made perhaps the most significant discoveries of natural features in the park during the past decade. And the interesting thing is that both of these special wonders were found in the exact same main canyon. Along with our two discoveries, we also enjoyed the canyon itself... it was fantastically beautiful in every way imaginable. Within the canyon, there were several sets of narrows to walk through, quite a few challenging dry falls to overcome, and some unbelievable geological formations. As you will see in our pictures below, the two special features of the canyon are Tunnel Bridge and White Slickenside. Tunnel Bridge was the feature we discovered first as we hiked up canyon. Based on what we know, it is either the 3rd or 4th largest natural bridge in the park. We came up with the name because of the overall length of the natural bridge. It is so long that once we walked through it, we felt as if we had walked through a tunnel. White Slickenside was the feature we discovered a little further up the canyon. Charlie said that it might be the largest slickenside in Death Valley. In my opinion, it is also the most beautiful. The white color and texture of the slickenside is beyond compare and it is simply breathtaking to behold it. Standing next to it will dwarf you and make you feel small in comparison. Because of the sensitive nature and newness of our discoveries, this will be one of the canyons where we share the range it is found in, but not the exact location (much like the Hidden Bridge Canyon report). A word of caution if you happen to figure out where Tunnel Bridge Canyon is located. There are lots of dry falls here. It requires a combination of taking bypasses and climbing 6 dry falls in order to reach the end of the canyon. Each one of these six dry falls presents its own unique challenge. A good place to stop is at the next major dry fall encountered right after Tunnel Bridge in the canyon.
SAFETY ALERT-- This hike contains sections of climbing, exposed bypasses and/or high dry falls and requires safety ropes & equipment in order to complete the entire hike. Those without the proper training, experience, and safety gear should stop at the major dry fall which is located just past Tunnel Bridge.
The 1st narrows of Tunnel Bridge Canyon start very close to the mouth of the canyon:
When a canyon starts out immediately with a good set of narrows, you know its going to be a great place:
Sunlight and shadows as we round an early bend in the narrows:
The canyon wash winds its way through these interesting narrows:
Charlie stopping for a picture in the middle of the 1st narrows:
The walls started growing higher the further we got into the narrows:
It was easy to lose sight of Charlie hiking through here because there weren't a lot of straight sections:
Charlie standing at the top of the 1st dry fall of the canyon. This was a relatively simple climb, but there are also options for bypassing prior to entering the 1st narrows:
Charlie took this picture of Steve while he was looking back down through the narrows:
A massive chockstone is blocking exit from the 1st narrows:
Charlie up and over the massive wedged boulder with ease:
The next two pictures were taken looking back down different portions of the 1st Narrows:
This giant wall of dried and textured mud was fascinating to look at:
After the first set of narrows, the canyon opens up again for a little while:
Passing by some majestic rock pillars up on the canyon wall:
Check out the different layers of rock and dirt on display here:
A landslide of rocks and boulders which has poured out into the canyon wash:
The 2nd dry fall of Tunnel Bridge Canyon is also relatively easy to climb:
Looking back down the narrow stretch of canyon from above the 2nd dry fall:
Another view of the 2nd dry fall which we just climbed:
The next two pictures show a very large pinnacle or spire that we walked by:
Getting close to the mid canyon point now with more Grapevine peaks in the distance:
This stretch of canyon had a lot of small rock steps in the wash, as shown in the next two pictures:
Notice the interesting design of the rock walls or shelves that we were walking by:
A massive overhang sticking out into the middle of the canyon:
We rounded a bend and were absolutely stunned to be looking through a large unexpected natural bridge. Sometimes it pays off to explore new places, instead of just following where others tell you to go:
As we got closer we could see that this was a lengthy natural bridge. Previously unknown to park staff, Tunnel Bridge might be a new discovery. It's always possible some geologist mapping the Grapevines might have previously documented this natural bridge without having reported it to the Ranger staff, so Charlie and I will need to do some more research before definitively claiming a "new discovery":
Now inside the tunnel-like natural bridge, this picture is taken looking back out the entrance:
Steve inside of Tunnel Bridge. It was truly an honor to discover this natural wonder along with Charlie:
Looking up at the ceiling of one portion of Tunnel Bridge:
Looking back through Tunnel Bridge from close to the end of it:
This picture of Charlie shows you how tall the natural bridge is. As mentioned earlier, this is either the 3rd or 4th largest in the park:
One final picture looking through Tunnel Bridge before moving on in the canyon:
Up ahead it looked like we were heading into a gorge area. We didn't know how much farther we would be able to get in the canyon:
Sure enough, we soon ran into the 3rd dry fall of the canyon. This one we bypassed on the right side, although it wasn't totally easy. We had to friction climb a smaller fall in order to make it. This is a good spot for hikers to turn around and head back down the canyon:
Once we bypassed it, we hiked back around and took this picture looking over the dry fall and back down canyon:
Looking straight down the 3rd dry fall, which was about 15 feet tall:
Now officially entering the gorge portion of the hike, which we had seen from a distance earlier:
What a thrilling moment it was to make another huge discovery a few minutes later. Steve standing next to White Slickenside:
Looking up at a portion of the slickenside. Charlie informed me that we had just discovered what may be the largest slickenside ever found in Death Valley:
The beautiful white color is another aspect that makes this slickenside stand out from the others:
Up ahead we would have to climb the 4th dry fall of the canyon. Things certainly were not getting any easier:
Charlie found a route up and around the dry fall which only involved minor climbing:
From where he was standing in the picture above, Charlie took this picture of Steve standing next to the White Slickenside:
Two pictures taken looking back down the canyon while climbing the 4th dry fall:
Looking straight down the 4th dry fall at the canyon wash below:
An awesome view of the majestic and unforgettable White Slickenside:
The white rock of the slickenside extends over and above the dry fall for a short distance:
One final wide view of the White Slickenside before continuing on this historic journey:
A close-up of the polished white rock. This is where the geology started getting very interesting:
This rock has a very mixed composition, as you can see:
Check out the crystal-like formations growing out of the rock on the canyon wall:
Some very unique and alien shapes along the canyon wall:
The narrows in the gorge area were pretty to an extreme degree:
Walking through places like this makes you wish that a hike could never end:
Two more amazing pictures while passing through this area:
Taking a picture looking further up canyon while standing under another huge overhang:
Overhangs were a common sight in Tunnel Bridge Canyon:
More interesting rock formations, this time with unique shades of red:
Twin 18 foot dry falls suddenly blocked further progress in the canyon. This is pretty much the end for all advanced hikers who have made it this far:
This was the dry fall on the right side. Nope, absolutely no way to climb up this one:
And this was the dry fall on the left side. There were virtually no hand holds or foot holds and it was 18 feet tall. Officially, this was the 5th dry fall. Time to turn around and head back down canyon:
Time to head back down canyon, and with it a lot of uncomfortable down climbing:
Pausing to say goodbye to Tunnel Bridge: