Mike and I hiked 15.9 miles starting from the parking area for the Dixie Mine Trail. We hiked Dixie Mine, Prospector, Bell Pass (up and over the Pass), Gateway Loop, Windgate (up and over Windgate Pass), Bell Pass, Prospector, Dixie Mine (back to parking lot).
We saw at least half a dozen deer crossing the Dixie Mine Trail early in our hike.
A view of Thompson Peak (with the antennas) from early in the hike.
Despite being a cool day, I began to get warm while hiking up the Prospector Trail. We stopped near the overlook so that I could remove a layer of clothing. When I picked up my backpack, I noticed this tarantula underneath pack’s hip belt. I think I woke it up when I set my pack down near it.
A view from the Prospector Trail:
Looking at Scottsdale (and other Valley cities) from Bell Pass:
Barrel Cacti growing out of rock outcropping on the Scottsdale side of the Bell Pass Trail:
A view of Thompson Peak from Gateway Saddle:
We saw this inscribed rock at the intersection of the Windgate Pass Trail and the trail leading to Inspiration Viewpoint:
Two more views from the Windgate Pass Trail:
Saguaros on the Prospector Trail:
Another view from the Prospector Trail:
Linda says:
Wow, you guys really did some mileage!! Loved the barrel cacti growing out of the rock and wonderful sighting of the deer.
November 19, 2016 — 7:05 pm
DeAnn says:
My favorite is the tarantula!
November 20, 2016 — 1:20 pm
Anonymous says:
Beautiful pics.
December 19, 2016 — 9:34 pm