Scenes from Salome Canyon

This stretch of Salome (Sally Mae) Canyon lies in the 18,531-acre Salome Wilderness of central Arizona. This is the view looking "up-canyon" (north) toward 5,758' Chubb Mountain, (seen at upper left.) The rock types are a polished "basement" granite (which the water flows through) and a greenish diabase intrusion, (which is a course-grained basalt known as "greenstone.") To the south lies "Salome Jug" or the actual 2200' (deep) slot canyon that attracts canyoneers worldwide. If you HIKE the rough and lonesome Salome Canyon, the major canyon that runs almost the entire length of the wilderness, never count upon coming across another human being. However, you may see artifacts of the Salado Indians, who lived here until vanishing about 700 years ago. As you work your way north, the land becomes increasingly rugged with many bedrock outcroppings. It culminates in Hell's Hole, a region of precipitous bluffs. Water is SOMETIMES available from several small natural springs. Elevations change from 2,600 feet at lower Salome Creek to 6,500 feet on Hopkins Mountain, (the highest point in the wilderness to the northeast.) Semidesert grasslands (with cactus) and higher chaparral dominate the vegetation. Winters usually freeze, and summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And please be sure not to trip over an Arizona Black Rattlesnake! If you do, I would like very much to HEAR about your adventure. :) June 2006