TRIP REPORT PHOTOS
The hike begins with a long crossing of the flatlands heading toward the inclined fan seen in the distance:
Looking over at the Confidence Hills, which begin about 3 1/2 miles northwest of this spot:
An abundance of dried, cracked mud was evident in many areas across the flatlands:
Several forks of the Amargosa River are crossed while approaching the fan:
The hiking direction can be a little bit confusing without the aid of GPS. In this picture, Smoke Tree Slot #1 can be reached by hiking toward the low dark hills seen at the far right side beneath the small peak bump:
Looking back at the excellent Owlshead fan terrain that we were hiking up:
Here, we are continuing to aim toward the dark hills which can be seen just above the large bush in the center of the picture:
We found several plants covered by Dodder, which is a parasitic plant that depends on the host plant for life support. Dodder can be quite colorful:
Finally reaching the main wash of the canyon which we were targeting:
The next two pictures show samples of some of the smaller side slots we passed by:
Large, healthy Smoke Trees were growing in the main wash:
This pinnacle sort of takes the form of the Panamint City smelter stack:
This formation reminded me a little bit of a smaller version of the Fairy Castle in Bryce Canyon:
And this one looked like a rock mushroom growing directly out of the hillside:
We found several large boulders being supported by bases which were much smaller:
Climbing a small dry fall which we encountered in one of the side canyons we explored:
There were patches of Desert Gold growing around the area:
After exploring around, we entered into Smoke Tree Slot #1. This picture actually shows the bypass (on the left) which we would use later to get onto the rim:
Notice how Smoke Tree Slot #1 has dramatic cliffs on both sides which begin to frame up into a slot:
In this view, you can see the split between the main canyon (left) and the side slot (right):
The texture of the walls in the main canyon was very interesting and unique:
Notice how the left side canyon wall seems to curve perfectly into a circular turn ahead:
Tobin snapped this picture of me as I was walking into the side slot:
At first, we didn't realize it was a side slot, but thought this was just an impassable dry fall:
Imagine our great surprise and delight to find out that this was a towering slot canyon instead of a dry fall:
Charlie entering the impressive side slot of Smoke Tree Slot #1:
Tobin was overwhelmed by the stunning discovery of this slot canyon:
Right from the beginning, this slot canyon had extremely tight narrows:
The walls had an interesting rock mixture with the addition of decomposed granite:
The lighting in the slot canyon was perfect for photography:
A number of quick turns in the tight passageway through the narrows:
Notice how water flow has carved beautiful curves into the canyon wall:
Getting a picture at a very scenic spot within the slot canyon:
This was Tobin's picture at the exact same spot. Notice his camera gave the slot slightly different lighting:
Looking straight up reveals how remarkably tall the canyon walls were:
The slot canyon never got much wider than seen right here:
But typically, this was the average amount of space in the passage:
Taking a closer look at the texture of the walls at this pretty curve:
Tobin with his camera at the ready being immersed in a stunning display of beauty:
Check out the various layers and textures as light filters into the slot:
Once again looking up and out of the slot at daylight high above:
The height of the walls was truly immense and that's one of the aspects which made this slot so amazing:
I keep going back to this, but the lighting and the texture of the walls was another key aspect which impressed us so much:
Tobin peeking his head around the corner deep into the slot:
We turned the corner, and suddenly found ourselves at a dry fall at the end of the slot:
The dry fall itself was quite beautiful and something to see all on its own:
The next two pictures reveal the tremendous height of the slot canyon. This first picture shows the upper walls at one location:
Because I couldn't get the entire slot in one picture, this is the bottom half of the location seen in the picture above:
Notice how the left side wall seems to hang out and over the slot:
Because the slot canyon was so deeply entrenched, our eyes were constantly looking upwards:
The next three pictures showcase one of the nicest curves in the slot as seen from different angles:
A portrait view of the location shown in the picture above:
Using the overhang to block out the glow of the sun to see more of the upper walls:
Another picture showcasing the perfect blend of light and shadows. Make sure you have a good quality camera when visiting this slot:
Notice the boulder up high which has somehow gotten wedged in the upper walls:
You can see why this newly discovered slot canyon ranks within the very best of the park:
Another view of the boulder wedged high up in the canyon:
Finding this slot canyon in the Owlshead Mountains was an instant trip highlight and a lifetime highlight of visiting the park:
On the way out, I spotted something up on the canyon wall. Can you see anything unusual in this photo?:
It was a raven's nest halfway up the slot canyon wall:
Strangely enough, just after we exited the slot canyon, a raven came flying down the main canyon toward us while making a lot of noise:
With the side slot fully explored, it was time to continue up the main canyon of Smoke Tree Slot #1:
The main canyon walls were so interesting to look at and even to touch:
Looking back down the main canyon wash as it curves out:
We soon encountered this major dry fall in the main canyon:
The major dry fall was about 20 feet tall and couldn't be climbed:
We backtracked and used the bypass shown earlier to climb above the canyon:
Zooming in on the side slot as seen from above:
Looking back down the main canyon of Smoke Tree Slot #1:
This was the upper canyon as seen from the lower canyon rim. It was quite easy to bypass into this area:
Back in the main canyon now and heading down toward the dry fall:
Tobin took this picture of me as seen through the upper narrows:
Sitting at the top of the major dry fall:
Looking straight down the dry fall at the perfectly clean wash below:
Finding more flowers in bloom in the upper canyon:
We soon exited Smoke Tree Slot #1 and began heading south toward Slot #2. But first, we spotted these caves:
Charlie and Tobin inside of the biggest cave we found:
Looking down at a minor canyon drainage as seen from the caves area:
Tobin looking out of the cave at me and the surrounding area:
The upper cave actually has a drain hole into the lower cave where Charlie is standing:
Two final pictures of the caves area as we headed toward Smoke Tree Slot #2:
Are you impressed and would like to see more? Then continue hiking with us by checking out our report for Smoke Tree Slots # 2-3:
