Gretchen Millward
Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2021
- Messages
- 22
Hi folks, this is a trip report from Cheesebox Canyon last fall, October 27–30, 2022. I’ll be posting each day separately in this thread.
![20221027-1359.jpg 20221027-1359.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119598-cbdcf6e881d6d3f730a555a9ff978e79.jpg)
Trip participants, L–R: Madeleine Albright, Richard Milhous Nixon, Spiro Agnew, and myself. It was windy and cold as hell at the trailhead. Also, please note how eligible Mr. Agnew is.
![20221027-1362.jpg 20221027-1362.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119599-87a9b00759e36a01a0de226afcfc9697.jpg)
Wind-blown boulders on the ledge in White Canyon that we followed to Cheesebox.
![20221027-1370.jpg 20221027-1370.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119601-a20f1b36431fb88f9a94eb0aefcc6420.jpg)
Our footprints above one of the falls that prevent access to the Cheesebox canyon floor from White Canyon.
![20221027-1372.jpg 20221027-1372.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119602-80498d4806b5c17ca509bcd5cb4c3b7d.jpg)
A trickle of water was flowing down the canyon throughout the part we visited.
![20221027-1373.jpg 20221027-1373.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119603-e200a277abca9eea6b899cd5300f4ae9.jpg)
Sand patterns in lower Cheesebox.
![20221027-1378.jpg 20221027-1378.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119604-93da0f399b648d1c680c467df49d6d85.jpg)
Mr. Agnew and Ms. Albright taking a break. Both of these individuals were firmly Gen Z, which made for a large quantity of amusement on my part.
![20221027-1379.jpg 20221027-1379.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119605-d9ab5ea53509d1f99e037faedc772bd9.jpg)
Mini-delta in the sand.
After reaching camp, I spotted a trickle of water on the canyon wall across from camp. I went to check it out, in hopes of obtaining some clear water, since the pools in Cheesebox were quite muddy.
![20221027-1381.jpg 20221027-1381.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119606-be4fad1ece3081e7b6d6987202081c45.jpg)
Cottonwood tree near camp.
![20221027-1384.jpg 20221027-1384.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119607-aff6100f9c8bc331d1f01105cf2d3a40.jpg)
Looking up-canyon towards camp while ascending towards the possible spring.
![20221027-1389.jpg 20221027-1389.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119608-f6e542173d72ebf8c15e4679e8c35fe5.jpg)
Indian paintbrush, I think.
![20221027-1390.jpg 20221027-1390.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119609-b7eea57e7b2ae86448948d29f46236f1.jpg)
Greenery at a seep in the canyon wall.
![20221027-1393.jpg 20221027-1393.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119610-c583624fe8d3c492e64530ff83f0eb72.jpg)
There was, in fact, a modest spring happening. This pool was about half empty after I filled my water bags.
![20221027-1394.jpg 20221027-1394.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119611-be942a033986e4856f3be73bf8fb018e.jpg)
Brush growing out of moist cracks in the rock.
![20221027-1397.jpg 20221027-1397.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119612-53adb24ef22ccb39bbe799676b74e3fd.jpg)
Camp. It’s a pretty amazing place to stay, IMO. Access is from the right.
Day 1
We parked not far of Highway 95, immediately across from the canyon mouth. From here, there is a social trail that ledge-hops down to the White Canyon wash, then crosses to pick up a ledge that one can follow into Cheesebox Canyon. (Access directly into Cheesebox from White Canyon is blocked by falls.) The plan was to follow this, then go a few miles up Cheesebox to a spectacular and unique campsite I’ve used before.![20221027-1359.jpg 20221027-1359.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119598-cbdcf6e881d6d3f730a555a9ff978e79.jpg)
Trip participants, L–R: Madeleine Albright, Richard Milhous Nixon, Spiro Agnew, and myself. It was windy and cold as hell at the trailhead. Also, please note how eligible Mr. Agnew is.
![20221027-1362.jpg 20221027-1362.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119599-87a9b00759e36a01a0de226afcfc9697.jpg)
Wind-blown boulders on the ledge in White Canyon that we followed to Cheesebox.
![20221027-1370.jpg 20221027-1370.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119601-a20f1b36431fb88f9a94eb0aefcc6420.jpg)
Our footprints above one of the falls that prevent access to the Cheesebox canyon floor from White Canyon.
![20221027-1372.jpg 20221027-1372.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119602-80498d4806b5c17ca509bcd5cb4c3b7d.jpg)
A trickle of water was flowing down the canyon throughout the part we visited.
![20221027-1373.jpg 20221027-1373.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119603-e200a277abca9eea6b899cd5300f4ae9.jpg)
Sand patterns in lower Cheesebox.
![20221027-1378.jpg 20221027-1378.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119604-93da0f399b648d1c680c467df49d6d85.jpg)
Mr. Agnew and Ms. Albright taking a break. Both of these individuals were firmly Gen Z, which made for a large quantity of amusement on my part.
![20221027-1379.jpg 20221027-1379.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119605-d9ab5ea53509d1f99e037faedc772bd9.jpg)
Mini-delta in the sand.
After reaching camp, I spotted a trickle of water on the canyon wall across from camp. I went to check it out, in hopes of obtaining some clear water, since the pools in Cheesebox were quite muddy.
![20221027-1381.jpg 20221027-1381.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119606-be4fad1ece3081e7b6d6987202081c45.jpg)
Cottonwood tree near camp.
![20221027-1384.jpg 20221027-1384.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119607-aff6100f9c8bc331d1f01105cf2d3a40.jpg)
Looking up-canyon towards camp while ascending towards the possible spring.
![20221027-1389.jpg 20221027-1389.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119608-f6e542173d72ebf8c15e4679e8c35fe5.jpg)
Indian paintbrush, I think.
![20221027-1390.jpg 20221027-1390.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119609-b7eea57e7b2ae86448948d29f46236f1.jpg)
Greenery at a seep in the canyon wall.
![20221027-1393.jpg 20221027-1393.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119610-c583624fe8d3c492e64530ff83f0eb72.jpg)
There was, in fact, a modest spring happening. This pool was about half empty after I filled my water bags.
![20221027-1394.jpg 20221027-1394.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119611-be942a033986e4856f3be73bf8fb018e.jpg)
Brush growing out of moist cracks in the rock.
![20221027-1397.jpg 20221027-1397.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/119/119612-53adb24ef22ccb39bbe799676b74e3fd.jpg)
Camp. It’s a pretty amazing place to stay, IMO. Access is from the right.
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