In The Desert
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Wikimapia Map
This is an inter-active Wikimapia Satellite Map. You can zoom in / out and drag the map to scroll. Mouse over the map. Try it! Shown here - The Narrows.
The Narrows, California
On the topos this canyon is referred to as No Name Stream. Locals call it The Narrows. Where it starts out it's fairly unimpressive. However a short 1/2 mile into the canyon and the reason for the name becomes apparent. This is not the place for large SUV's or pickups; smaller vehicles up to and including Jeep Cherokee's will make it thru with careful guidance. This area in the desert is very close to Yuma, Arizona and because ot that many people make it one of their day trips destinations.
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The GPS Route above is only to get you to the entrance of No Name Stream as we can no longer navigate this route with our FJ Cruiser; it's too wide to make it thru the Squeeze. The photo to the left is where the canyon starts to narrow down. This is on Picacho Road on the way into Picacho State Park. This is one of the shortest day trips available here in the desert.
This is where it starts to get really narrow. Still not too bad! It gets tighter. Remember we're in a little Suzuki Samuri here. The scenery gets even better as you go; reminds us of Utah.
There are some really tight turns to make here -- the one shown is not the tightest one. There are very few places to turn around. Be careful as we cannot be held responsible for any damage.
Linda is walking up a slot canyon -- did I mention the slot canyons? There are two major ones and many more smaller ones that enter the main canyon. They are very deep and narrow. Walking only. Most have very nice flat gravel bases to walk on. The second one on the North side (when your traveling toward the East) is probably the best one. These slots were created a long time ago by earthquake faults; then water cut a slot in the earth leading to the main wash. Some of them go in for a 1/2 mile or more.
This is the second major slot canyon. There are side slots off of this slot where you'll have to trun sideways to squeeze into them. These are really worth seeing. Some are 40 ft. deep or more.
We climbed to the top in the back of one of the slots and hiked back to get this view in the desert and the slots from above. This geologic feature is worth seeing.
Once your out of the lower end of the Narrows if you look back toward the Narrow part of the canyon this is the view you'll get. The Chocolate Mts. are in the background. Continuing down this wash brings you back to the All American Canal and bridge over the canal to the main road.
On the way down the wash take a detour to the left (North) and you'll find this rock alongside the road. It's called Coral Rock. If you get out and look closely you'll see the coral and sponges in the rock. This whole area must've been under water at one time.
Don't forget your close to Yuma, Arizona so day trips here are real easy. You can go past the entrance to the Narrows and go to Picacho State Park too.
Have fun ----------
Have fun ----------
