Soon after that point, the road took a sharp grade downward and through a series of hairpin turns and switchbacks past jagged cliff walls, on into the canyon. After that, each mile revealed more and more amazing and rugged beauty.

Since the area has a winter season, some of the leaves were just beginning to bud on the trees, such as these sycamores.

Oak Creek near Slide Rock. The picture below is the opposite view of the same spot. There's a small pool of water in this section used as a swim area and marked by a sign.