In early April I went up Mara Canyon with a plan to explore the steep slopes of the canyon.    The trail was dry on the south-facing slopes, and mostly dry dropping into the bottom of the canyon and up through the narrows.  

I hiked about half-way up the canyon trail before heading east, up a steep slope below a series of cliffs.

The scramble up the slope was all on loose material.    There were no trails, nor any signs of tracks, and it took some exploration to find a reasonable route to the top of the hill.    Some new views were part of the rewards of exploration. 

The whole scramble route was steep and challenging, but there were open views once I reached the top of the hill. 

I found myself on top of a hill above the ridge trail so the return route was down the east side of the hill to the ridge trail, then down toward the start on a single dirt track.    This is the most scenic hiking area in our whole area and each exploration brings new discoveries and new views.    All photos by the author.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.  

the trail up the ridge to the summit

the view to the east

the view from the hill looking southwest

bonsai on the slopes

coming down the ridge

the trail down the ridge

Some video footage has been complied into a YouTube video too:

More Information on the Mara Canyon Trail can be found on the Mara Canyon Trail Page (Menu bar >Trails > Mara Canyon).