Tuesday Plein Air Group

In search of a plein air painting spot in Oak Creek Canyon, I headed upcanyon on the recently reopened road.  Slide Rock is open, but only so visitors can sadly gawk at the black, ash-choked, fire retardant-filled water, guarded by yellow tape and vigilant park rangers.  All the picnic areas and campsites are closed on both sides of the road, but above West Fork the creek clears. 

I pulled off at Mile Marker 386 above Cave Springs Campground and hiked down through a lovely meadow to the creek, clear flowing and unmarked by the Pocket Fire.  The only hazard was the lush poison ivy and I am now soaking in a bathtub of TecNu.