Another Hike in the Bill Williams River NWR

December 14, 2010 Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
Sunday we had a small cook-out at our campsite with one of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologists, his family and Hanna, one of the SCA interns working for the refuge. We all had a good time enjoying the beautiful weather, company and food. The temperature that day was 80 by late afternoon.
Yesterday, Saturday Joyce and I drove to Lake Havasu City and did some Christmas shopping for the refuge Christmas Party.
Today, we decided to do what will be perhaps our last hike in the Refuge. We started at the end of Planet Ranch Road.

Joyce

River water between the bluffs

Cottonwoods in the Bill Williams Riverbed

As we hiked, we were often diverted by thick strands of Mesquite trees which forced us to climb up on the bluffs. We were told that there was a slot canyon in the area and after a couple hours of searching we found it. In the picture above you can see ATV tracks we left a few days ago. As we sat on the bluff taking a break over the riverbed, we saw a bobcat run across.

Slot Canyon in the distance

While preparing to hike down the bluff toward the slot canyon we came across Bobby and Wayne. They are volunteers working with the refuge ecologists. This is there 4th year volunteering here at the refuge. He's a retired biologist and both are avid birdwatchers. They are currently working to locate, identify and quantify bird and animal species in the refuge.

On the way down to the slot canyon, Bobby and Wayne took us on a short diversion to the riverbed via a hidden "rabbit hole" through the brush.

"Rabbit Hole" 

After leaving Bobby and Wayne we continued our hike to the slot canyon.

Joyce is dwarfed by the canyon walls

Striking a pose

On the other side of the slot canyon was a very large wash. We hiked around some more before heading back to the Jeep. We had spent about 4 hours in the field searching for the slot canyon. Time flies when you are having fun.