First Spark of Curiosity
Okay, let me tell you how this whole desert mystery thing started. I’ve been hiking these dry riverbeds, what folks call zrts, for ages, right? Mainly for the exercise and clear headspace. But lately, I kept noticing super weird stuff way out there – small, unnatural looking rock piles tucked under overhangs, faint scratches on sandstone that didn’t look like regular weathering, little patches of ground that seemed slightly dug up then covered. Like someone was playing a sneaky game. Got me thinking: someone’s hiding things.
Gear Up & Grind
So I decided to dive in headfirst. Grabbed my trusty worn backpack first thing Saturday morning:
- Packed way more water than usual, knowing the desert sun ain’t playing around.
- Threw in snacks, a basic first-aid kit (better safe than sorry!), my old but reliable compass.
- Dug out my heavy-duty hiking boots – those zrt rocks are no joke.
- Camera with a fresh battery was a must. Needed proof!
Drove out past the last paved road, dust kicking up behind my truck. Parked at my usual spot near Coyote Gully entrance. The heat hit like a wall when I stepped out. Took a swig of water, hoisted the pack, and just started walking. Slowly. Real slow.
My plan? Forget the big views. This time, my eyes were glued to the ground and the canyon walls near it. Every boulder pile, every crack, every overhang needed a good look.
Following the Sneaky Signs
It took maybe an hour of squinting before I found the first real clue. Under a shallow ledge I almost dismissed, sat three flat stones stacked carefully. Not big, easy to miss unless you were crawling. Definitely not random. Poked around carefully nearby. Felt loose dirt near the base. Brushed some aside with my glove… and bam! Small plastic container wedged in there, painted to kinda match the rock. Inside? Just a folded map fragment drawn on a scrap of cardboard. Looked homemade. Had a little arrow pointing south along the canyon wall.
Alright, now we’re cooking! That felt like a trail marker. Kept pushing south, watching even closer. Started seeing those little scratches on rocks near ground level more often – arrows barely etched into the surface. Really had to look sideways to spot ’em. Found another small pile of rocks. Brushed dirt away near its base like before. Second container. Another map piece! This one had an ‘X’ drawn roughly where I thought I was standing, and another arrow leading, weirdly, straight towards a section of solid cliff face.
That cliff seemed impossible. Walked right up to it. Solid rock, no big cracks visible. Felt kinda stupid. Pushed on the rock. Nothing. Kicked it lightly with my boot heel. Still nothing. Almost gave up. Then, crouched down low to tie my boot and happened to glance up – saw a tiny ledge maybe seven feet off the ground. Climbed up carefully (scraped my knuckles, ouch!), felt along the lip… and hit a small metal hook poking out. Pulled on it. A whole fake rock panel slid out sideways! It was just a thin piece molded and painted perfectly! Behind it was a small cave entrance, barely big enough to crawl into.
Uncovering the Spots
Grabbed my headlamp and wriggled in. Couldn’t believe it. Inside wasn’t huge, but it was sheltered, cool. Found:
- Old, rusty but usable lockbox with notebooks inside – logs from previous finders!
- Some canned food (long expired!), sealed water stash.
- A couple of worn hiking sticks propped in the corner.
- And tucked in a niche, a small, hand-carved wooden lizard. Someone’s signature.
Turns out this whole zrt network has folks secretly stashing emergency gear and logbooks. A quiet, hidden safety net maintained by regular wanderers like me. The secret spots are markers for the supplies.
Cracking the Code & More Finds
Spent the rest of the afternoon studying the logbooks. The entries were clues themselves! Descriptions about “sunset views near twin stones” or “cold spot under the green bush.” Those weren’t just stories; they were directions to other spots! Followed one log talking about a “turtle-shaped boulder.” Found it near the west fork, looked underneath – another hidden nook with supplies! Realized it’s a whole chain of these little help points throughout the area.
The Simple Answer
The mystery? Solved. It’s not treasure hunters. It’s hikers looking out for each other. They leave the subtle signs and stashes so if anyone gets stuck out here – lost, hurt, outta water – there’s a chance to find help. No big organization. Just folks who love this harsh place, quietly making it a little safer. That humble wooden lizard was the best ‘treasure’ I could’ve found.
