Friday Fitness Hike

We started off hiking part of the Pemberton and then the Scenic Trail for last Friday’s hike. When we got to the Cinch Trail, several of us went on, eventually making it over to Stoneman Wash, returning by way of the Pemberton.  Amy continued on the Scenic Trail with the rest of the group.  Total distance for those of us doing the long hike was 9.5 miles. The short hike was roughly 4.5 miles.

This is a view of Four Peaks from the Scenic Trail.

The Brittlebush is starting to bloom.

We took this photo at the intersection of the Cinch and Scenic Trails.  Nancy, Janet, Norm, and Hiungi hiked the Cinch Trail with me.  Amy lead the rest back to the Trailhead Staging Area via the Scenic Trail and then a short section of Pemberton.

From left to right are: Janet, Norm, Christina, Siw, Hiungi, Sten, Amy, Per, Michael, Joanne, Jill, Nancy, and George.
Nancy stands at the end of a tunnel on Shallmo Wash. A view of some of the hills in the Competitive Track Area.

The poppies are in bloom too, and have been for several weeks now.

A view of Red Mountain framed by a pair of ocotillos.

On our way to Stoneman Wash…

Sections of Stoneman Wash have steep banks that seem break off vertically as shown here.

Other banks of Stoneman Wash are also steep, but not vertical.  The two barrel cacti growing together near the top caught my eye.

Other parts of Stoneman wash are very wide.  We hiked several miles in Stoneman Wash.  This section was unusually firm due to clay underneath a thin layer of rocks and sand.

A decaying piece of wood.

We saw this tree where Stoneman Wash crosses the Long Loop.  You can see the trail at the bottom of the photo.

Lots of new buds on this saguaro:

Still in Stoneman Wash, but nearing the Pemberton…

This is a small feeder wash just off the Pemberton.  (It feeds into Stoneman Wash.)
Fairy Duster: