Starting in Slickrock, Colorado, the ending point of the Ponderosa Gorge trip, descend into the deepest canyon of the Dolores, where near-vertical, stair-step cliffs over 1,200 feet high greet you. In some places, the brightly colored sandstone is smooth and sheer for hundreds of feet, overhanging part or even all of the river. Camp on narrow ledges or alluvial fans created by fantastic serpentine side canyons. These side canyons offer inspiring hiking.