Two Sisters Outdoor Adventures - Desert Southwest, Canyon River & Desert Arroyo - 3 & 15 years-old.

Paula and Lisa visited many places with their parents, Tina and Jeff Cary while living in El Paso, TX from 1995 - 2001. A recent discovery of "lost video" shows a couple of their visits, one to Big Bend National Park in Texas on the Rio Grande River the border between Mexico and the United States. The other to the Very Large Array radio telescope observatory in Truth or Consequences New Mexico.
We decided to come back by way of the dirt roads over the mountains and across the plains. This video ends right before it began to rain. We knew we had to cross a dry riverbed before the rain caused a flash flood. So, we immediately headed down the mountain. When we reached the arroyo river crossing the water was a 1.5 to 2 feet deep and moving swiftly. The hard rock bottom was probably 20 to 30 feet across and 30 feet wide.
We plunged in on the upriver side of the crossing in 4 wheel low range, 3rd gear. By the time we climbed up the opposite bank to safety we had been washed the 30 feet sideways to the downriver side.
We carried a 5 gallon jug of gasoline in case we had to turn back anywhere. Thankfully, we didn't have to do so. Mountain rains always lead to a flash flood downstream. Dry arroyos and steep-walled dry rock canyons can lull hikers into over-confidence.
It isn't the rain at the arroyo or canyon we worry about, it's what is happening miles upstream under a heavy cloud cover that should concern visitors. When in doubt, come back another day.
When adventuring, remember that the goal is to come back safely with a good story to tell.