Region: Noctis Labyrinthus (Phoenicis Lacus quadrangle).
Highlights: Steep-walled canyon in Tharsis Plateau. Listed on Mars Historical Register.
Difficulty: Strenuous; technical at end.
Overview
This newly opened canyon trail retraces the journey of the infamous Peterson expedition of 2058. Hardcore trekkers (bring extra oxygen!) can follow the expedition’s original path; families and less-experienced hikers should loop back at either of the Jackson Alternatives.
Getting there
At Valles Marineris Station 20, rent a half-track. Follow Route 914 westward 1,152 km to the Habitat Jerry Historical Site Visitor Centre (vacuum toilets; recycled water and oxygen).
At the Visitor Centre
The centre features a life-size reproduction of Habitat Jerry’s original living quarters, control centre and communications hub. Adults and children will enjoy exploring these 2050s-era modules with an interactive autodocent simulating Mission Deputy Shonda Jackson.
The exhibits on the Peterson expedition are, for obvious reasons, less vivid.
Starting the trek
From the Visitor Centre, follow the interpretive trail alongside Habitat Jerry’s remnants. Trail signs interpret the remains of the greenhouse, hygiene facilities and (unsuccessful) emergency shelter.
At 0.8 km, a large titanium statue honours Mission Deputy Shonda Jackson, Mission Specialist Mike Kazami and Mission Specialist Lenise Kontrovitz. A smaller historical marker contextualizes Commander Nick Peterson.
Signpost 1
The trek begins in earnest at 1.3 km. Savour the views — the Tharsis Upland, with volcanic peaks Pavonis Mons and Arsia Mons, to the west; the steep-walled Noctis Labyrinthus canyon to the east — and imagine deciding the critical question after Habitat Jerry’s destruction by a still-raging dust storm: remain on-site and await rescue, or take cover in the canyon?
Signpost 2
The trail, now just bare regolith with occasional cairns, leads straight towards the canyon’s edge. Historians believe that Commander Peterson hoped to find shelter in a cliffside lava tube. Areology buffs: the steep-sided depressions in Noctis Labyrinthus are called ‘chasmata’.
Signpost 3: Jackson’s First Alternative
Families and less-experienced hikers should turn right at this junction. Jackson’s First Alternative leads to a wind-eroded mound near a small impact crater. The lee side offers a great place to rest; returning to the Visitor Centre makes an easy 4.8 km round trip. (In the unlikely event of a sudden dust storm during your visit, the mound’s lee side offers excellent protection.)
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The Peterson expedition, of course, continued onward, as will experienced trekkers. The trail descends into the canyon along a narrow ledge on the basalt-walled cliffside. At 6.3 km, notice the inscription “HJ CREW SOS — MK” cut into the rock. This carving (scratched by Specialist Mike Kazami’s utility knife) is protected; don’t add your own initials.
Continue 1.6 km down into the canyon. Notice that the view overhead is cramped; even on a bright day, little light penetrates. Unfortunately, Commander Peterson was wrong about the canyon’s safety; there are no convenient lava tubes, and owing to the Venturi effect, the canyon’s steep walls force wind to accelerate. However, the hiking is safe until Signpost 5.
Signpost 4: Jackson’s Second Alternative
This branch trail leads along a canyon-wall traverse for 2.8 km, then returns to the surface. Historians believe that Jackson argued for this path, but Peterson overruled her. The cliff wall offers a fine example of the brittle ‘smectite clay’ characteristic of the Noctis Labyrinthus system’s southern basin.
Most trekkers should take Jackson’s Second Alternative. Once back at the surface, it loops back, connects with Jackson’s First Alternative, and returns to the Visitor Centre for a 12.2 km loop. Returning now via Jackson’s Second Alternative offers the best of all worlds: a short descent into Noctis Labyrinthus, a genuine historical inscription, and a vigorous but manageable day hike. Only the strongest hikers should continue downward; the next segments remain treacherous even with recent trail work.
Those continuing should check oxygen levels (minimum: 0.7 kg). Remember: you brought extra oxygen, but the Peterson expedition couldn’t.
Signpost 5: Kazami Family Memorial
Climbing ropes mandatory beyond this point. The Kazami family donated the funds to install anchor points along the trail’s next segment. Because Peterson expedition narratives often focus on the conflict between Peterson and Jackson, a small, privately installed plaque honours the life and career of Specialist Mike Kazami.
The anchor points are spaced 2.5 metres apart owing to the technical terrain and unstable rock. Be smart: check your carabiners twice.
Signpost 6: Kontrovitz Resting Place
At this turn, Specialist Lenise Kontrovitz lost her footing — perhaps blown by the storm — and tumbled into the chasm. Her body has not been recovered, although some eagle-eyed (or imaginative) explorers claim they’ve seen it on the canyon floor 5 kilometres below, when wind blows away the fine sand.
Be respectful and thank the Kazami family for the anchor points.
Signpost 7
Another cliff-wall message, also apparently Kazami’s, is faded but legible: “HJ CREW — LOST — O2 LOW — LK DEAD — SOS.” Some historians believe that Jackson again attempted to persuade Peterson to abandon the descent. (The classic Habitat Jerry: Collapse and Catastrophe, available in the gift shop, imagines Jackson exasperated.) But there is no junction here, so the only other options were turning around, or waiting out the storm on this exposed gravelly ledge.
Signpost 8: Jackson’s Redoubt
A narrow ridge studded with green pyroxene crystals. Forensic experts believe that with the dust storm unabated, Kontrovitz dead and Peterson (probably hypoxic and cognitively impaired) insisting on descending farther into the chasm, Jackson confronted him here. She may have demanded that he relieve himself of command, or just decided to push past him and reverse course. History buffs can speculate; in any event, Commander Peterson’s knife is displayed at the Xanthe Terra Police Museum.
A metal chain marks the end of the Peterson Historic Trail. Return to the Visitor Centre for fresh oxygen and a hot chocolate.
