Fig. 26. The gaudy Spanish Skirts are a colorful expanse of Quartermaster and Tecovas [strata] exposed on the north flank of Timber Mesa. Note the contrast in [weathering] in the lower, gullied Quartermaster [Formation] and the smooth slopes of the Tecovas [shales] above it. Catarina Cave (arrow) is at the right.
The Sky Ride (9).—
The Sky Ride, located near the first water crossing on Park Road 5, transports visitors from the canyon floor to the top of Timber Mesa ([fig. 28]). The 300-foot ascent is made in ski-lift chairs that are comfortable and safe. The observation area atop the mesa offers an unusually fine view of most parts of the canyon.
Fig. 27. Catarina Cave (arrow) is easily reached by a half-mile trail from Park Road 5.
Fig. 28. Santana’s Face (left arrow) has been sculptured from the Trujillo [sandstone] cap of Timber Mesa. The cable for the Sky Ride ([p. 37]) passes through the notch indicated by arrow at right.
The First Water Crossing (10).—
As it winds through the canyon, the park road crosses the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River seven times in a distance of about 4 miles. These fords, or water crossings as they are called locally, are paved and are normally safe to pass through. They should, however, be avoided during times of heavy rains and flash flooding. Because of stream erosion, especially fine exposures of the Quartermaster [Formation] are revealed in the stream banks near several of the crossings.
The first of these crossings ([fig. 29]) is about 1 mile from the Sad Monkey Station and is one of the more popular picnic areas in the park. This area was also popular with earlier residents of the park, for it is believed to have been the campgrounds of both the Kiowa and Comanche Indians.