Broken Nose Alcove (Part II)

So just to be clear, I didn't break my nose on this hike (although I very nearly broke my phone, but I'm getting ahead of myself). To recap, I took you on a hike to "broken nose rock" last week. The nose-shaped rock appears to have split off from an adjacent section of rock.

As we were exploring the area, we discovered a very large and interesting alcove on the opposite side of nose rock. Our dilemma, as you might recall, was how to get up and into the alcove. Because of the 8-10' of sheer vertical rock below the alcove, we couldn't climb in from the front. We were also running out of daylight, so we had to be content with our discovery, and photographing Broken Nose Alcove from a distance. 

Here's a close up of the nose. After careful consideration, it looks like the safest way in (if indeed there is a way in) would be to hike up to the nose, squeeze through the space behind the nose, and then drop into the alcove from above. Ya, I know, it sounds crazy. But that's the only way I can see to get into the alcove. Who's with me??

Follow the white line to see what I am proposing. So off we go on hike #2 to Broken Nose Alcove with our goal today to find a way in! It's a warm day (mid to upper 80's) but we are well hydrated and carrying plenty of water, and have told loved ones exactly where we will be hiking (including GPS coordinates).

As we hike up to the nose, we want to see if there is a way to get up on the rock where you see the X. The big rock in front makes it hard to see what our approach will be, but as we get closer, it becomes obvious that this isn't going to work. The rock with the X is straight up and down and too large to climb. Bummer. So let's look for other options. Climbing around the front of the nose is a dead end. But just underneath the point of the nose is a rocky tunnel leading to an opening that looks like it might lead to the back of the nose. However, the opening is only about 2.5' in diameter and will require crawling on all four limbs. Not something these old bones have done in a while! A challenge to be sure, and I'm not even sure I will fit!! The thought briefly goes through my mind... what if I were to get stuck? Would anyone ever find me, or would I just be another lost hiker statistic?? I take my pack off, and proceed to crawl through the small opening. Success! Sweating profusely, I reach back for my pack and proceed on.

I wish I would have taken the time to get some photos of the rocky cave and small opening we just crawled through, but I was way too focused on the climb itself. But here's were we ended up after all that work. We now have nose rock behind us and the alcove below us. We have to climb down this notch and drop down on the rock below. Most importantly, we have to be certain we can climb back up later to avoid getting stuck in the alcove!

Success!!!!! High-fives all around! The first thing I notice is we're not the first to find a way into this alcove. I don't notice any human footprints, so it appears there have been no recent visitors. But the little rocky creation (center) has been made by human hands. There's also an old rusty can (not visible in this photo).

The alcove is quite deep in areas, and I can see a small patch of daylight way in the back of the alcove.

Inside the alcove things are quite spacious and comfortable (and noticeably cooler). I can stand up here without hitting my head, so 6' clearance with nice views!

 The alcove runs in an approximate east-west direction. This is the east end.

East end of the alcove, looking west.

Time to head out. We will need to get up on those rocks on the right of my hat and backpack, then pull ourselves up and out of the alcove. Fingers crossed!!

We make it out successfully, but while crawling and shimmying through the small rocky cave, I hear a "crack" sound. Oh cr*p, I probably broke the glass on my cell phone. But miraculously, no, my phone is still intact. I have no idea what the cracking sound was. Maybe my chiropractor can tell me!

We're done exploring the alcove and still have about an hour of daylight left, so let's keep exploring! One of the first things I spot is this nice rocky shelter. The boulders are huge, and this shelter is larger than it looks.

As we move on, a last look back at Broken Nose Alcove (side-view). It's always hard to achieve scale in desert photos, but the rocky wall in front of the alcove is nearly straight up and down and 6-8' high. Beyond my climbing ability!

As we continue to hike beyond the alcove in a northerly direction, the rocky formations are impressive!

The only problem with all these rocks is it makes the hike challenging. As we pick our way over and around the rocks going north, I decide to look for an easier way back on our return hike. I'm beat!

Now this is interesting! After following a rocky wash for quite a distance, we get to this lookout. The photo doesn't do it justice. It's a beautiful spot, and from here we can see the cars traveling down on Park Blvd. (center of the photo between the hills), which is the way we drove into the Park to begin this hike!

On the hike back, I marvel over this split-in-half boulder. It's huge... I would estimate 15' high, maybe more, at its highest point. What kind of forces could possibly spit a rock like this in half?? Hard to imagine.

We're almost home. I put a small arrow where our Jeep is. You will have to greatly enlarge the photo to see the Jeep. We will have to cross down into a wash and up the other side, but an easy hike compared to the rocks!

This was a fun hike, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. It's not everyday you discover something as grand as the Broken Nose Alcove, and I have a real sense of accomplishment that we were able to find a way to get inside!

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by!!