Shinumo Wash, first try...

[Hnak]

Not wanting to waste a three day weekend, I wandered up to the Navajo Rez to explore a route I've been contemplating for a while. I've been wanting to explore the route down Shinumo Wash in preparation of a loop that I want to do in the area. This section is part of an old surveyors route used when the Marble Canyon Dam was being considered back in the early 50's. It didn't quite turn out the way I had hoped, but it was fun nevertheless....

I went with a friend, Midge, whom I've hiked with before. We drove up last Thursday night to Cedar Ridge, then headed out across the rez, and getting to the head of the trail around 10:30 PM. After a good night's sleep, we started down a shallow wash which led to the actual route down the side of the drainage. Here the 'trail' became somewhat more interesting...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3448472053_c9ee0f6fe3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3449286122_8541910f5a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3449286294_e3cef7a196_o.jpg

Then down through the Coconino...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3448471877_380d561cc4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3449286358_e3f44b410a_o.jpg

There were a few 'interesting' sections on the way down..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3448471783_b015656929_o.jpg

We finally got down to the bed of the drainage, which had some really beautiful sections...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3448471963_b5da7bc0d9_o.jpg

A ways downstream from there we stopped to rest, and I realized that I
might have bitten off more than I could chew. After a year of doing nothing to speak of due to some medical issues, carrying a 50 pound pack down this route just wasn't a good idea. It would be better to come back in a while when I'm lighter and stronger, and it would be a lot more fun. So we turned around and hiked back out....

The next day we did some poking around, looking at interesting sights such as South Canyon from across the river...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3448472363_29def11270_o.jpg

All in all, it was a great trip, and I can't wait to go back!

Hank

[Scott P]

Nice photos. If you are interested in seeing some photos of another section of that canyon, there is a technical section of Shinumo when it hits the Redwall.

Before the technical section:

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399528.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399519.jpg

The technical section:

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/398169.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399520.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399524.JPG

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399526.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399525.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399521.JPG

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399527.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/medium/399523.JPG

[Hnak]

Would that be the Silver Grotto area? It would be fun to check that out someday too. My plan was (and still is) to go downstream on top of the Redwall about three miles or so to a route through the Redwall to the river (the 'iron rods route'), just above Redwall Cavern... This is part of a larger loop, coming down the Fence Fault Route just upstream of South Canyon, floating across the river, up on the Redwall, down to Redwall cavern, then back across the river up past Vaseys, and out the South Canyon shortcut route...

P.S. Cool pictures, thanks!

[tanya]

Very nice guys! :2thumbs:

[Scott P]

Would that be the Silver Grotto area?

Yes; that's it.


My plan was (and still is) to go downstream on top of the Redwall about three miles or so to a route through the Redwall to the river (the 'iron rods route'), just above Redwall Cavern...

Fun route; quite exposed. Bringing a rope is recommended. Have a good trip.

[Hnak]

Fun route; quite exposed. Bringing a rope is recommended. Have a good trip.

Part of my load this past trip was the 150 feet of webbing I brought along as a hand line (two 75' chunks) for that area. Would that be adequate (or overkill)?

Thanks!

[CarpeyBiggs]

i want to go to this exact location: :slobber1:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3448472363_29def11270_o.jpg

cool post, thanks.

[Hnak]

i want to go to this exact location: :slobber1:

cool post, thanks.

Thanks,

just go to: 36

[ststephen]

After you descend through the Red Wall at the Silver Grotto then what do you do? I don't remember any trail along the river there. Or are you ascending back up ropes you leave in place?

[Scott P]

After you descend through the Red Wall at the Silver Grotto then what do you do?

The time I went we reascended, but a few months later the same group packed in small raft and floated a short distance down canyon to where you can climb out easily. This is the best way to go.