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Show TaKeli hike by boat at Lake Powell I ..... "ss5i -'A k -rf. r?J23r&l. , I. By Stan Jones Shorter (Hour or Two) Hikes Dungeon Canyon contains an old trail (left) near the end of lake water. Along it is a slickrock mound pocked with Moki steps carved by Anasazi elders who, 600 years or more ago, were probably teaching youngsters the craft of creating hand-and footholds with stone tools. Further along the trail are ruins of a venerable Navajo hogan, a nearby rock sheep corral and, above, a rare freshwater spring. Great scrub brush meadows and sheer walls of Cummings Mesa offer superb views. A number of other Lake Powell canyons offer interesting and easy hikes that can be accomplished in a couple of hours. They include West Canyon in which examples of fantastic erosion exist; David's Gulch and its huge Bement Natural Arch; Explorer Canyon and Zane Grey Arch; Moki Canyon's North Gulch and Anasazi ruins; and the San Juan Arm's Alcove Canyon, noted for its beauty. Half -Day Hikes Half-day hikers may want to walk the right bank of Wetherill Canyon, " climb a talus slope and view big, oblong Keyhold Natural Arch. Or walk and scramble along Forbidding Canyon to see two significant caves, one with Anasazi handprints on its portal, the other with a Bernheimer Expedition (1922) "autograph" on its wall. Wild horses may be seen by hikers who invade Long Canyon. Two seldom-seen natural bridges exist in two of the canyons that are tributary to Hall's Creek Bay. Each requires walking up slickrock slopes, but each is rewarding for the hiker. Hikes throughout the San Juan Arm's Piute Canyon will reveal a number of fascinating well-preserved well-preserved Anasazi petroglyphs. The Escalante Arm's Willow Creek Canyon is an ever-narrowing maze that leads the hiker to a curious rock portal and a long crevice usually wet with knee-deep stream water. Ascending a tiny waterfall in the crevice allows hikers to proceed into a wider, verdure-filled ravine where at a fork (right), a high ledge is graced by gothic-like Broken Bow National Arch. An early pioneer named this huge, symmetrical span for an Indian bow (but no arrows) he found lying beneath it. U. Jllll. UiJl-lMJI m.J.JJILMM Only a short hike up the slopes of most any of Lake Powell's 96 major canyons will reveal panoramas that add a whole new dimension to a boating experience, flainbow Bridge can be ! reached by boat. Stan Jones veteran author, lecturer and hiker, mentions several suggestions or short jaunts. Jones has explored Lake Powell country or many years and says water-accessible canyon hiking is one of many attractive, available activities there. i Copy and photograph courtesy of Del E. Webb Recreational Properties Inc. and Summit International Travel. |