On a beautiful Fall Sunday, I took Denali up to the Walls of Jericho for a nice long day hike. This was only my second visit to the Forever Wild property.

On the trail to the Walls of Jericho, overlooking Hurricane Creek.

The trail down from the trailhead to the creek is a little over two miles, and quite a drop. It's an easy walk down, but getting back up is a different matter.

After Forever Wild acquired the property, they installed a footbridge over Hurricane Creek so visitors don't have to get their feet wet.

The scenery was beautiful, but I don't believe the Fall colors are going to be very colorful this year due to the ongoing drought.

The last time we were here, Denali bounded across the footbridge without hesitation. Today she was more reluctant to get out on it.

The location of geocache GCVGGZ, where the Keebler elves might have once set up shop.

The contents of GCVGGZ. I took the New Orleans thingamajig, and left the STS-118 mission patch.

Another footbridge, crossing Turkey Creek. The creek at this point was bone dry. No need to worry about getting my feet wet today.

Denali wandering around the primitive campsite area, looking for leftover food.

Near the campsite is an old cemetery.

Joseph Clark's gravesite.

Clark Cemetery.

Denali leading the way on the Turkey Creek trail. This trail is newer than the trail down to Hurricane Creek, and well as narrower and with more difficult footing.

As we proceeded up Turkey Creek, the canyon walls closed in.

Turkey Creek pool reflections. I was grateful to find some water at the bottom of the canyon, so Denali could have plenty to drink and cool herself off.

The Walls of Jericho destination is basically a big rocky bowl, with impressive walls all around. Unless you have serious climbing gear, there is only one way in and one way out.

Saturday night was apparently a big night down in the campsite; I passed many backpackers on their way up to the trailhead, including a line of 27 boy scouts. However, the Sunday crowds were practically nonexistent. These folks were the only other hikers I met down in the bowl.

This grotto is the end of the road.

Denali cooling off in Hurricane Creek on our way back up to trailhead.