James Canyon begins as a steep wash in dark basalt.
Basalt soon gives way to sandstone as the canyon walls grow higher.
Pools are teeming with life during the Spring. These tadpoles will become canyon treefrogs before the end of summer.
The first rappell lowers down a rock slab, then 12 feet down into a pool.
Below the first rappell is a downclimb into another pool.
Canyon playground.
The second rappell is 40 vertical feet down to dry ground.
Walls close in on dark, chilly narrows.