This trip was in the San Rafael Swell, an area with many canyons, some dry and some wet. Little Wild Horse was dry throughout its length, but the size of the arroyo at the top suggests a large catchment. It doesn't often rain in the desert, but when it does, it tends to be brief, localised, and heavy - it's possible to experience a flash flood from clouds which were over the horizon, and the view of the sky is very limited in the depths of a canyon. Deep, narrow, and with slick rocks walls, this would not be a place to get caught out. Fortunately, we were visiting in October, with very stable weather, so the risk was low.

Photo: Andy Waddington