Sand Wash (Red Cave) Loop

Mar 5, 2017 — This great little loop through two pretty parallel canyons (Lower Sand Wash and Upper Sand Wash) have the option to rappel, but it's not necessary to do so. We started from within the Tait family property (they were very nice) after getting permission, but there's likely a way to get in from the west without having to park on private property. We followed a dirt road down into the wash coming out of Upper Sand Wash, but headed southwest, first intending to go up Lower Sand Wash. A bunch of sand slogging later brought us to the mouth of the narrows, where we explored until we got to a dryfall. We returned to the mouth and located a slope on the west side of the canyon, bypassing the dryfall. We found a way into Lower Sand Wash, then cotninued through the pretty canyon through a mossy section and fun obstacles to the head of the narrows. We located a good spot to head out of the canyon and trek north through the desert until we encountered Upper Sand Wash Canyon, where more fun little obstacles led to an optional rappel, bypassed on the right. We then continued through the gorgeous and sometimes dark Upper Sand Wash Canyon and returned the way we came.