According to my geologist friends, a natural "bridge" is formed by water running under a solid span, forming an opening, and an "arch" is formed by various types of erosion (wind, water, etc.) and natural forces (cracking, temperature variations, etc.) that form a hole in a solid surface. Therefore, the "Nelson Natural Arch," as known by most "old timers," is really a natural "bridge" because it was formed by water running under a slab of rock.
When the USGS has not given a geological feature a specific name, you can just create your own name; thus the "Nelson Natural Bridge" is also known as "Nelson Natural Arch," "Bridge Spring Arch," "Spring Canyon Natural Bridge," "El Dorado Canyon Natural Bridge," "Murl Emery Arch," and several other names, depending on who you ask.
Anyway, it is an easy hike of less than a mile to the "bridge" and mostly downhill. You can not miss the "bridge" because all of the drainages lead down hill to the main wash. The only problem is that when you hike back to your vehicle, it is easy to get disorganized because when looking up the hill, all of the washes look the same. However, if you watch carefully, there are a lot of rock cairns marking the trail; and if you do loose the trail, just keep walking up any wash until you reach the top of the hill and you will be able to see your vehicle.
This is a great time of year to make the hike with your kids or grandkids and there is enough water in the main wash that the kids can fall in and get wet up to their ankles!
No comments:
Post a Comment