Sand Dunes and Canyon Views

After passing Sam's Mesa Spring, we continue across the desert dunes.

Steve notices a skull marking a hilltop rock and climbs up to explore.  The cow skull was on top of a section marker, apparently to make the section corner easier to find.

Farther along, we spot a few fallen stakes and this mining claim, wrapped in foil.  As you can see, it is still readable.  The claim does not say what the claimee proposes mining for.  Uranium, maybe?  Uranium mining was common in the canyon country in the '50's.  This claim was made in 2007. 

Our destination is the Dirty Devil River overlook.   The view behind Steve looks down the Dirty Devil's canyon.
The river was given its name by one of the Wesley Powell expeditions in 1869-1871.  As they floated down the Colorado River, they came to the inlet of an unnamed river.  "How is she, Jack?" someone shouted.  "Oh, she's a dirty devil!" was the reply. 
That same expedition named the Bright Angel Creek farther down the Colorado.  Bright Angel is now part of the Grand Canyon National Park.  Perhaps the Powell group thought they should give homage to the forces of good to counteract naming one stream after the devil...

Steve and Daisy approach the edge. 

The horses wisely hang back, probably wishing for some good grass to munch during their break.

There is no way into the canyon and it doesn't look all that inviting from this vantage point anyway. 

Heading back toward camp, we have nice views of red sandstone canyon cliffs in the distance.