Most folks who visit Blair Valley are here for the ‘main events’ South Mountain, Moteros or Pictographs. We’ve done those, several times. We are here this time for a couple new-to-us hikes - first up is Rainbow Canyon.
In Afoot and Afield ~Jerry Schad says “Spectacular exposures of colorfully banded and folded metamorphic rock gave ‘Rainbow Canyon’ its so-far unofficial title.” The Nimble Hiker scrambled easily over the the rocks on a previous visit. Today it is the geriatric hikers turn.
This hike can be done as a loop from Blair Valley, or an out-n-back from the trailhead off S-2. Today we’ll use the S-2 trailhead at mile post 27.5ish. There’s a parking area on the east side of S-2, follow any of the washes from the parking area into the canyon.
From here this should be ~2.5 mi (R/T). There are a total of 8 dry waterfalls to scale, before the canyon tops out. Our plan is to do an out-and-back, not the loop up.
Following the wash we come to a wire fence that can easily be bypassed.
And continue up the wash that is surprising lush with native vegetation.
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| Chuparosa |
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| Barrel Cactus |
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| Sage |
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| Fishhook Cactus |
In less than a quarter-mile we enter the canyon.
The walls are indeed marbled and colorful.
Amazing that so many distinct colors are displayed. And we reach the first of the 8 dry falls to scramble over in the canyon.
To scale the first dry fall Fran needs to get her right foot into the toe hold seen just above her hiking stick. She's too short for the reach! I'm tall enough but the arthritis does not allow the required mobility. ARG! turned back at a Ez-Pz 6' dry fall!
We'll be back !!!
Rather than just go-away we took time to explore the flowers, where I picked up a couple jumping cholla.
Fortunately, I keep a cholla removal tool in my day pack. A pocket comb placed under the cholla will lift it off.
The geriatric hikers are disappointed we did not complete the canyon, but cannot complain of the unexpected vegetation and colorful marble walls we did enjoy.
