Cairns also assist in navigation. If continuing to The Portal Trail, follow the cairns. This requires keen, attentive eyes. The trail loses a lot of altitude, then heads up and down as it romps along the rim. Don't miss this critical left turn out of the wash.
Some people keep riding right on down the wash.
But it's not a hard turn to see. The road drops into the wash for about 5 yards and climbs up the other side for the final grind to The Portal.