Marble-Cottonwood (side slot) lollipop loop Nov 17-19,2019

[John Morrow]

A three day backpack with good water at Dead Horsre Canyon Spring and Upper Cottonwood Spring. Both had a flow for yards.
We chose to modify the standard loop in order to add some challenge and uncertainty but mostly to avoid road hiking of lower Cottonwood Canyon. Thus, we went up Marble Canyon and over to the side canyon described in Michel Digonnet's book. Then we did a loop of the slot, Upper Cottonwood Canyon, and back down to Deadhorse Canyon spring. Day 3 we returned down Marble Canyon. Kimberly's Jeep Rincon got us to the wilderness boundary TH in Marble Canyon. We explored a couple of side canyons in Marble as well.
Great trip!

Day 1:

Up Marble:


DSC02057 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02064 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02083 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02087 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02097 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02172 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02173 by John Morrow, on Flickr



Side canyons:


DSC02140 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02148 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02146 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02151 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02178 by John Morrow, on Flickr

day 2:

Down Cottonwood side slot:


DSC02180 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02188 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02189 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02194 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02196 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02198 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02217 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

The impasse requiring bypass:


DSC02218 by John Morrow, on Flickr

Backing out to bypass and descending:

DSC02223 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02225 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02231 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr


Descending the Digonnet bypass, loose!:



DSC02240 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr


Attempt upcanyon to impasse:


DSC02242 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02244 by John Morrow, on Flickr


(stopped)


DSC02246 by John Morrow, on Flickr


Into and moving up Cottonwood to camp 2:


DSC02248 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02253 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02260 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02265 by John Morrow, on Flickr


Day 3, back over to Marble:


DSC02271 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02273 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02279 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02285 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02289 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02293 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02297 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02299 by John Morrow, on Flickr


Marble 4 narrows exploration:


DSC02302 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02306 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02310 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02314 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02315 by John Morrow, on Flickr


3rd narrows and out:


DSC02316 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02332 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02338 by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02346 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02351 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02354 (2) by John Morrow, on Flickr

DSC02370 by John Morrow, on Flickr

[TrailHound]

Fantastic pictures, wow, what a trip! Thank you for posting.

[MidwestDesertRat]

Your photos are fantastic! Sounds like a really nice hike!

I do have 2 questions for you.

1. In the main Marble side canyon, were there many narrows after the dry fall? That dry fall looked relatively easy to go up when I was there but it was hot and I was low on water so I turned around. I believe this would be the side canyon you enter if you go the opposite direction of the arrow at the faded Goldbelt sign if my recollection is correct.

2. What did you think of the Marble 4th narrows? I see you only have a few photos of them so I am curious of your thoughts. I am considering that as a day hike at some point.

[John Morrow]

Hi Midwest Desert Rat,
1. I believe we made it through any more potential narrows as the terrain seemed to back off and leave the limestone. I am confident it goes. I wanted to scout for the potential to access Sand Flat from this side canyon someday.

2. It was my 2nd visit to the 4th narrows. The banded limestone impressed me more the first time. We went well beyond the narrows because I was convinced we hadn't seen the best yet, but we had. The bands are neat but it is my least favorite in the Marble system. Could not find any rock art there. If you can get to the wilderness boundary TH then it is worth the trip. I consider it as a loop return from Sand Flat but did not confirm the springs. Not enough time or energy.
John

[Sparky of SoCal]

Great pictures, thanks