TRIP REPORT PHOTOS
The parking area is located 29 1/2 miles up Scotty's Castle Road (also known as the North Highway):
To get to Grey Wall Canyon, you need to follow the wash up toward the rounded peak in the left center of the picture:
Here is an example of why hiking up the Grey Wall wash is so easy. Notice the solid terrain on the right side of the picture. Almost the entire way, hiking is possible on this type of firm ground:
A short distance up the Grey Wall wash about one mile into the hike, the 1st spring is passed by on your left side:
Even the terrain within the actual wash is pleasant and enjoyable to walk on:
Conglomerate rock hillsides form along the way on both sides of the wash:
The 2nd spring is up above the wash on the left side and is passed by two miles into the hike (or one mile past the 1st spring):
It's often easy to just step up onto the flat ground above the wash:
A fairly large conglomerate rock wall on the right side:
About three miles from the road, this was the view approaching the mouth of Grey Wall Canyon, which cuts sharply to the right up ahead:
Just prior to entering the actual formed canyon, you pass by the 3rd spring on your left side:
This giant mass of solid rock marks the entrance to the actual canyon:
Looking up at walls on the left side of the canyon which are over 600 feet high:
Notice the thick brush which has suddenly appeared in the canyon wash:
A short distance into the canyon, you pass by the 4th and final spring:
A tall branch sticks out of the brush within the 4th spring:
Looking ahead into the canyon, the walls grow even higher. The high peak on the left is 1,100 feet above the canyon wash:
Such spectacular high canyon walls:
This is the other part of the 4th spring. Here, there is a small seep that is flowing very slowly:
Notice at the top right of the picture there is a small hole in the canyon wall. This is where the water was seeping out, but not fast enough to collect as drinking water:
The final part of the 4th spring featured large reeds growing on both sides of the canyon wall:
Past the 4th spring, it is now time to enter into the narrows of Grey Wall Canyon:
The shades of light grey and dark grey rock seen here feature prominently throughout the canyon:
Most of the canyon is fully enclosed, but there are a few areas where it would be possible to scramble most of the way up to the ridge:
A very pretty section of canyon wall with multiple colors on display:
Getting a picture next to the pretty canyon wall which caught my attention:
Notice the solid rock of the canyon wall at this spot:
This portion of canyon contained mostly shallow narrows:
The walls had a rugged texture to them, very different than the smooth appearance of canyon narrows in places like Marble Canyon:
A towering triangular peak up high on the right side of the canyon:
Passing by an interesting rock formation:
A closer look at some of the various colorful layers of rock on the canyon walls:
The canyon stayed quite narrow for nearly 1 1/2 full miles, which is quite a long time to stay immersed in such an enclosed place:
Up ahead, you can see the grey walls closing in together. The canyon was about to get even more interesting:
Approaching an area where sunshine appeared to be shining into the canyon:
The canyon did have a lot of quick turns, which means you never know what is in store around the next corner:
Here, there is just a small slot-like passageway which you can walk through:
Note the contrast of being in such a small and narrow place while looking up at the surrounding towering walls and mountains:
Contending with a bit of brush while climbing up this spot:
The upper portion of the canyon was extremely impressive:
One of the most photogenic or eye-catching spots in the entire canyon:
I love how the pretty canyon wall abruptly bends at a 90 degree angle:
Shallow narrows give way to dirt hillsides rising up high:
Yet another dramatic bend in the canyon:
There continued to be very little space in between the canyon walls:
A nice view looking through a long straight section in the upper narrows:
This is the end of the main canyon. As you can see, it now splits into two forks and goes in different directions. I decided to call it a day here after hiking 5 3/4 miles to get to this point. But surely there is more beauty beyond:
This is an excellent photo highlighting several aspects of the Grey Wall narrows -- shallow, tight, quick turns, and grey in color:
Hiking a little bit farther and getting an alternate angle of this section of narrows:
Nice lighting for this picture showing a contrast of shadows and light:
It's always neat to take additional pictures on the hike back as there are new angles of the canyon:
This was a neat long flat wall to stand next to:
Getting ready to pass back through some of the best scenery from earlier:
The sometimes slightly thick brush and the minor climb seen here were the only real obstacles in the canyon:
This is an alternate angle of the slot-like passageway:
Notice how the multi-colored bands of rock extend far up the mountain:
Enjoying a relaxing and peaceful hike back down Grey Wall Canyon:
At the same time, appreciating the continuous beauty which was on display:
Approaching the large trees and bushes of the 4th spring:
The high-growing reeds of Grey Wall Canyon:
Heading out of Grey Wall Canyon after a successful first visit:
