- Joined
- May 19, 2012
- Messages
- 2,012
I decided to get away mid week, and I only had 2 days so I decided to visit Dominguez Canyon. I had been there in the summer once before, but it rained on us, so there was a lot of water flowing. This time, I expected a low stream level, but still flowing. My AC does not work, so It was no surprise how hot it was when I got out of the car at Bridgeport, but I like the heat so it wasn't too bad. I think it was 96 in Grand Junction. Mine was the only car in the lot which was good. When I got to the mouth of Dominguez at the Gunnison, I ran into some day hikers who were on a float trip. One guy said it was completely dry 2 miles up the canyon, where they turned around. Completely dry? Are you sure? Yep. Never seen that before. Nope.
One thing I know for sure now, if you want to see big horn sheep, walk along this canyon mid day in mid June. I stopped getting my camera out, I saw so many of them.
![ZC0D3258 - Version 2.jpg ZC0D3258 - Version 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3490-3c76c01f8213f1c1e32c07f3d06f16cc.jpg)
![ZC0D3252 - Version 3.jpg ZC0D3252 - Version 3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3487-8bc679366c38f1185b8fef99ea88eb2f.jpg)
![ZC0D3253 - Version 2.jpg ZC0D3253 - Version 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3489-1ecb46ba8e3f0404e0caff361cdfe227.jpg)
So I was getting a little nervous and paranoid. Was there no water further up the canyon? Surely there must be pools.
When I got to the "big" waterfall, things were not encouraging.
![ZC0D3595.jpg ZC0D3595.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3539-83700f4d8161de80c5dd87f4df4211b2.jpg)
I have never seen this dry in the last 8 years. The good thing was there were lots of pools, but most were getting a little "soupy".
![ZC0D3268.jpg ZC0D3268.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3491-3e4311d57a4a89673eb898028dc31aa9.jpg)
Time to switch to an alternate plan, and that was to camp at a spot that I know (hoping for some deeper pools) further up the canyon, and explore the stream bed up canyon early the next day. I have never been able to walk along the stream bed here very far, unless you want to negotiate the stream and other obstacles. The water has always been flowing a a good rate when I have been here. So to visit with out the stream was kind of cool.
It was very quiet.
And hot.
Shots from the hike up canyon:
![ZC0D3272.jpg ZC0D3272.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3492-a2f5e0c106293b1d3646505e0c519a25.jpg)
![ZC0D3283 - Version 2.jpg ZC0D3283 - Version 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3493-918c0e64bdc38999ae4b2c1f1dc4c2de.jpg)
I reached my goal around 5, it took me about 4 hours to go 3 miles. I stopped a lot, took a nap.
![ZC0D3330 (2).jpg ZC0D3330 (2).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3538-fcc69016b6033d0b87099a7ad1688d38.jpg)
The camp spot is essentially a sandy area (at the far right end of the sloping pointy rock, pic above) surrounded by these boulders and fins thrown up at different angles, suspended about 75' feet above the stream. Very shady, and protected from the wind.
![ZC0D3338.jpg ZC0D3338.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3498-ab388d3f5cf41fcde17be0bd0b132ea2.jpg)
A shot of the pointed rock from above, which doubles as the main terrace.
![ZC0D3293.jpg ZC0D3293.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3494-4ca941caaf4a87d716d91b2cbdac6f46.jpg)
View looking down canyon from the terrace. Good news! The water is flowing here, but just barely.
![ZC0D3340.jpg ZC0D3340.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3499-e2b7f937b5a06f313bcb4c5e7143a73e.jpg)
As a side note: my MSR gravity pump has now worked flawlessly for about 60 days, almost exclusively in the desert southwest. I don't miss pumping at all.
2 self portraits:
![ZC0D3318.jpg ZC0D3318.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3496-00978f2552f70787d32d91d49f52d82f.jpg)
![ZC0D3314.jpg ZC0D3314.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3495-c97d17b701938458076a5f48257cd5ab.jpg)
So I decided to day hike the next day the 2 or 3 miles up the stream bed to where the Cactus Park trail enters the canyon. It was one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done. The stream bed was predominantly this blue rock, shaped in fantastic forms. Swimming pools were conveniently spaced every 30 minutes or so. Lot's of shade. And little rainbow trout, maybe 3-7", in every pool.
![ZC0D3362.jpg ZC0D3362.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3500-10769f3ee02f71e1c9a6cdabbdf09298.jpg)
![ZC0D3412.jpg ZC0D3412.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3501-3603c8889ea252b2e2316b5c595f02bf.jpg)
![ZC0D3436.jpg ZC0D3436.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3503-86f0fe6d12bb29487d32dcc179c7b1d1.jpg)
![ZC0D3437.jpg ZC0D3437.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3504-c961246afb55f5566678274f1720f478.jpg)
![ZC0D3441.jpg ZC0D3441.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3505-cf76ddefbdb02eecd79fee71478411f4.jpg)
![ZC0D3454.jpg ZC0D3454.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3507-9a36abbf12784ea0a373f5c017165bf8.jpg)
![ZC0D3462.jpg ZC0D3462.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3510-dc3b8dbd9362c0ad45725c2e96dbd06e.jpg)
![ZC0D3467.jpg ZC0D3467.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3512-1dd5f1708c4db36d32d9c354d31b865b.jpg)
![ZC0D3465.jpg ZC0D3465.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3511-1a2f872c7b4bb40fb4ba8aaad8aadc22.jpg)
![ZC0D3482.jpg ZC0D3482.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3514-d59151389c2ac4bac14a50f0a2d3dff6.jpg)
![ZC0D3488.jpg ZC0D3488.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3515-8724f04bac8d1a5f9d1d9ed40a5bb69f.jpg)
![ZC0D3506.jpg ZC0D3506.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3516-b4e5deaafc6c94ca8b122c46fbf3104b.jpg)
![ZC0D3510 (1).jpg ZC0D3510 (1).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3520-5ec1b9d8018d91b62586d8c789e0a678.jpg)
![ZC0D3511 (1).jpg ZC0D3511 (1).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3522-b98aaa0362a7aaae9fbe87ac3a29f6a3.jpg)
![ZC0D3518.jpg ZC0D3518.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3524-d2644e499077f74ec19df93122416c19.jpg)
![ZC0D3529.jpg ZC0D3529.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3528-1a019eb35510b02554602ee2e20e4062.jpg)
![ZC0D3537 (1).jpg ZC0D3537 (1).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3529-731541b0d00069a12dfd6d47ed186ed5.jpg)
I was eventually stopped by a large waterfall before Cactus Park, and found it much more docile than the last time I was here, a picture that I took 2 years ago:
This was the most beautiful pool of the hike, at the end.
Same view as above:
![ZC0D3591.jpg ZC0D3591.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3534-fbf42c1de7997264f05b0f7cfaffa397.jpg)
![ZC0D3573.jpg ZC0D3573.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3531-f05706f774cf59665c97300f83e1aa54.jpg)
![ZC0D3585.jpg ZC0D3585.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3533-6fadf823dd3d8a2128d8565df1744356.jpg)
Looking out from the pool.
Now, the 6 mile hike back out, much easier than the walk in.
Greg
One thing I know for sure now, if you want to see big horn sheep, walk along this canyon mid day in mid June. I stopped getting my camera out, I saw so many of them.
![ZC0D3258 - Version 2.jpg ZC0D3258 - Version 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3490-3c76c01f8213f1c1e32c07f3d06f16cc.jpg)
![ZC0D3252 - Version 3.jpg ZC0D3252 - Version 3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3487-8bc679366c38f1185b8fef99ea88eb2f.jpg)
![ZC0D3253 - Version 2.jpg ZC0D3253 - Version 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3489-1ecb46ba8e3f0404e0caff361cdfe227.jpg)
So I was getting a little nervous and paranoid. Was there no water further up the canyon? Surely there must be pools.
When I got to the "big" waterfall, things were not encouraging.
![ZC0D3595.jpg ZC0D3595.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3539-83700f4d8161de80c5dd87f4df4211b2.jpg)
I have never seen this dry in the last 8 years. The good thing was there were lots of pools, but most were getting a little "soupy".
![ZC0D3268.jpg ZC0D3268.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3491-3e4311d57a4a89673eb898028dc31aa9.jpg)
Time to switch to an alternate plan, and that was to camp at a spot that I know (hoping for some deeper pools) further up the canyon, and explore the stream bed up canyon early the next day. I have never been able to walk along the stream bed here very far, unless you want to negotiate the stream and other obstacles. The water has always been flowing a a good rate when I have been here. So to visit with out the stream was kind of cool.
It was very quiet.
And hot.
Shots from the hike up canyon:
![ZC0D3272.jpg ZC0D3272.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3492-a2f5e0c106293b1d3646505e0c519a25.jpg)
![ZC0D3283 - Version 2.jpg ZC0D3283 - Version 2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3493-918c0e64bdc38999ae4b2c1f1dc4c2de.jpg)
I reached my goal around 5, it took me about 4 hours to go 3 miles. I stopped a lot, took a nap.
![ZC0D3330 (2).jpg ZC0D3330 (2).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3538-fcc69016b6033d0b87099a7ad1688d38.jpg)
The camp spot is essentially a sandy area (at the far right end of the sloping pointy rock, pic above) surrounded by these boulders and fins thrown up at different angles, suspended about 75' feet above the stream. Very shady, and protected from the wind.
![ZC0D3338.jpg ZC0D3338.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3498-ab388d3f5cf41fcde17be0bd0b132ea2.jpg)
A shot of the pointed rock from above, which doubles as the main terrace.
![ZC0D3293.jpg ZC0D3293.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3494-4ca941caaf4a87d716d91b2cbdac6f46.jpg)
View looking down canyon from the terrace. Good news! The water is flowing here, but just barely.
![ZC0D3340.jpg ZC0D3340.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3499-e2b7f937b5a06f313bcb4c5e7143a73e.jpg)
As a side note: my MSR gravity pump has now worked flawlessly for about 60 days, almost exclusively in the desert southwest. I don't miss pumping at all.
2 self portraits:
![ZC0D3318.jpg ZC0D3318.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3496-00978f2552f70787d32d91d49f52d82f.jpg)
![ZC0D3314.jpg ZC0D3314.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3495-c97d17b701938458076a5f48257cd5ab.jpg)
So I decided to day hike the next day the 2 or 3 miles up the stream bed to where the Cactus Park trail enters the canyon. It was one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done. The stream bed was predominantly this blue rock, shaped in fantastic forms. Swimming pools were conveniently spaced every 30 minutes or so. Lot's of shade. And little rainbow trout, maybe 3-7", in every pool.
![ZC0D3362.jpg ZC0D3362.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3500-10769f3ee02f71e1c9a6cdabbdf09298.jpg)
![ZC0D3412.jpg ZC0D3412.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3501-3603c8889ea252b2e2316b5c595f02bf.jpg)
![ZC0D3436.jpg ZC0D3436.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3503-86f0fe6d12bb29487d32dcc179c7b1d1.jpg)
![ZC0D3437.jpg ZC0D3437.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3504-c961246afb55f5566678274f1720f478.jpg)
![ZC0D3441.jpg ZC0D3441.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3505-cf76ddefbdb02eecd79fee71478411f4.jpg)
![ZC0D3454.jpg ZC0D3454.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3507-9a36abbf12784ea0a373f5c017165bf8.jpg)
![ZC0D3462.jpg ZC0D3462.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3510-dc3b8dbd9362c0ad45725c2e96dbd06e.jpg)
![ZC0D3467.jpg ZC0D3467.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3512-1dd5f1708c4db36d32d9c354d31b865b.jpg)
![ZC0D3465.jpg ZC0D3465.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3511-1a2f872c7b4bb40fb4ba8aaad8aadc22.jpg)
![ZC0D3482.jpg ZC0D3482.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3514-d59151389c2ac4bac14a50f0a2d3dff6.jpg)
![ZC0D3488.jpg ZC0D3488.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3515-8724f04bac8d1a5f9d1d9ed40a5bb69f.jpg)
![ZC0D3506.jpg ZC0D3506.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3516-b4e5deaafc6c94ca8b122c46fbf3104b.jpg)
![ZC0D3510 (1).jpg ZC0D3510 (1).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3520-5ec1b9d8018d91b62586d8c789e0a678.jpg)
![ZC0D3511 (1).jpg ZC0D3511 (1).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3522-b98aaa0362a7aaae9fbe87ac3a29f6a3.jpg)
![ZC0D3518.jpg ZC0D3518.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3524-d2644e499077f74ec19df93122416c19.jpg)
![ZC0D3529.jpg ZC0D3529.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3528-1a019eb35510b02554602ee2e20e4062.jpg)
![ZC0D3537 (1).jpg ZC0D3537 (1).jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3529-731541b0d00069a12dfd6d47ed186ed5.jpg)
I was eventually stopped by a large waterfall before Cactus Park, and found it much more docile than the last time I was here, a picture that I took 2 years ago:
![I00006heoNhaMuh8.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.c.photoshelter.com%2Fimg-get%2FI00006heoNhaMuh8%2Fs%2F700%2FI00006heoNhaMuh8.jpg&hash=982b225e8fbafe30f81f87c34ad5a656)
This was the most beautiful pool of the hike, at the end.
Same view as above:
![ZC0D3591.jpg ZC0D3591.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3534-fbf42c1de7997264f05b0f7cfaffa397.jpg)
![ZC0D3573.jpg ZC0D3573.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3531-f05706f774cf59665c97300f83e1aa54.jpg)
![ZC0D3585.jpg ZC0D3585.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/3/3533-6fadf823dd3d8a2128d8565df1744356.jpg)
Looking out from the pool.
Now, the 6 mile hike back out, much easier than the walk in.
Greg
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