There are rare stretches within the Narrows where the canyon widens enough, and enough soil has accumulated in steep banks along the river course--and held firm against the recurring floods--that trees gain purchase and have room and time to grow larger than one might expect. This is one such place where a few stalwart conifers have been able to reach considerable size nestled against the sheer sandstone walls and where a copse of coloful maples has created a miniature forest home on a steep slope little more than twenty or thirty feet wide measured from the river's edge to the canyon wall.
it's a delightful little spot, even if not one that clearly reveals itself in a photograph as even being in the Narrows. Adding to my enjoyment of this little respite from hiking over rolling river rocks, I saw a strong-looking eight-point buck at the water's edge just below where I made this image. If he actually lived there, he'd be pretty safe from any local carnivores, I expect, but he'd have to walk a pretty good ways downriver to find a date.
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