Two Mile Spring, Four Springs, Lunch Spot Arch and Paw Hole, Vermilion Cliffs NM


 

In July, 2016, I met up with some friends, who are living in New Paria, to explore the Vermilion Cliffs NM. From previous visits I knew, that there had been some side roads on the west side rim, which we never went in. We met at the Corral Valley entrance and headed then back south to go in a different route than usual. From there we went on the western rim route and explored overall three side roads, before we went back to Pine Tree Road via another trail, we did not drive before. After Shane, Esperanza and Tom split off to head home, I was running the Paw Hole route to Sandhills Ranch to see, how that climb is, when the sand is extremely dry. From the ranch, I went then back to House Rock Valley Road via Corral Valley.

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House Rock Valley Road, shortly before I arrived at the Coral Valley entrance to the Vermilion Cliffs NM.
We headed then back south to enter the west rim region via a different road. There had been a couple of gates, which had to be opened and closed.
We headed in the first side road to the right (if I remember correctly) and stopped almost at the end.
We parked our jeeps and checked out, what´s going on here.
The area had some interesting formations.
We also found some small things, which seemed to be indian culture.
A lot to explore...
And the opposite side...
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The road continues further down...
Below is an operating ranch...
Rim...
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And nice rim views...
This is the ongoing trail, which eventually leads down to the ranch at Two Mile Spring.
View...
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Nice and interesting rock formations.
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Two white Rubicon's !
Tom, waiting in the shade...
One more picture of my jeep. We left from there, went out another road, which turned off from a water tank, which is located a little bit further up. This road eventually connects back to the west side rim route. A little bit further, we first explored a road, which did not offer anything. We went in to the end and immediately headed out again. Continuing on the western rim connecting route, we went in the next side trail.
This route forked a little bit further in and we had chosen the right fork. The ongoing trail brings one to the Four Springs area. And the trail ends at an arch. We did not find out the name of that arch, so we named it 'Lunch Spot Arch'. As there was some heavy wind, we took our chairs and had our lunch under the arch. This is, why we named it Lunch Spot Arch.
Zoomed view. Tom and Esperanza, enjoying lunch.
Shane and me hiked a little bit around and explored the area.
Great scenery...
A lot of formations to visit...
... and a huge area.
Somewhere up there is the arch.
View...
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,,,
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Also some darker rocks...
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The rim...
That´s, where we had to go back up again.
Lunch Spot Arch...
...and a zoomed version.
We headed out via a new road, which broad us back to Pine Tree Road.
Then I went in via Lone Tree Reservoir.
I thought, I will test, how the Paw Hole climb is, when the sand is really try.
It was a nice run up and not too difficult (for me with my rig).
The Paw Hole area...
...and 'Sitting Hen'.
The ongoing road towards Sand Hills Ranch.
I stopped for a moment at the ranch to take some shoots.
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...and left then via Corral Valley.
Wonderful view on the way back.
Back at Pine Tree Road. A right turn brings one back to House Rock Valley Road.

Here one can also download a gpx file of this trip:

Tracklog: Two Mile Spring, Four Springs, Lunch Spot Arch and Paw Hole, Vermilion Cliffs NM, AZ (720 downloads )

The following map shows the trail:

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