Heather and took a drive out to Sandstone Canyon today with some friends. First the good news - we can get to our usual lunch spot. Now the better news - we can still drive through that really narrow deep channel section with the big rock right in the middle of the path. It's about 1/4 - 1/2 mile past the lunch spot. For those who have not been out there since last November, I don't think this particular rock was there then. It comes really close to blocking the path, but there is just enough room to get around it. Now the bad news - at about 1.4 miles there are some really big rocks blocking the path - that's the new end of Sandstone Canyon. We've lost about a mile of driveable canyon. I could see where someone did try to drive through, and I imagine with the right vehicle, lots of skill, and maybe no regard for damage, you could do it. The turn-around point is about 13.6 miles from the start of the trail at the end of Split Mountain Road. It's a little tight, so if we have a large group we'll need to be careful and not get too packed in.
It was really nice out there today. A lot of sand has been washed down Fish Creek, and there were several new rock and mud falls that were not there in March. On the way back we took Loop Wash, and I think we'll do that again on the 20th. It is definitely the "road less traveled" compared to Fish Creek, and very scenic.
We saw a black or night armor 2nd Gen Xterra parked about 10 miles up Fish Creek. Not sure if it's anyone here, but I did leave a flyer on the windshield.
I'll post some pictures up in the Pics section a bit later.