Anniversary Narrows in Nevada

The geology in the vicinity of Lake Mead is complicated, reflecting a long history of overlapping deformation due to varying tectonic stresses, and this has led to some spectacular geologic features. Anniversary Narrows, in a slot canyon on Lovell Wash, is one such place. Here the wash has cut a narrow, twisted canyon through steeply dipping limestones of the Horse Spring Formation, which have been tilted into a ridge across the drainage.

Borax deposits occur in the sedimentary strata overlying the limestones, and they were mined intermittently from the 1920s to the mid-20th century, when competition from the new deposits at Boron, California, shut down most mining here. The major producer was the Anniversary Mine, for which the Narrows are named. Adits, ruins of foundations, and other mining remains will be seen while hiking in the wash up to the Narrows.

The hike through the Narrows is reasonably straightforward. Some scrambling will be required, and boots with good traction are a plus because the rocks are slick due to water polish. At one point a vertical drop of about five feet needs to be negotiated. Dogs on lead are permitted on the trail, but will need to be lifted over some of the obstacles.