Friday’s hike started from the Four Peaks (Horse) Staging Area. Janet, Linda, and I crossed the main park road and then hiked a service road from the parking area for the competitive tracks to the Pemberton Trail. We then hiked Pemberton to Shallmo Wash and returned to the Horse Staging Area via the wash. Total hike distance was 7.6 miles.
Sunrise – this was taken from the parking lot.
Another early morning photo taken from the parking area:
These shots were taken early on from the service road.
Red Mountain, framed by a saguaro and some ocotillo plants:
Despite taking bracketed exposures (of only +/- 0.7EV), the sky ended up being blown out in this photo of Janet and Linda. I decided that I kind of liked it anyway. Somewhere around this point, I had also inadvertently put the camera in shutter priority mode; as a consequence, all of the exposures were taken at 1/2000sec, which led to the camera selecting larger apertures (for a shallower depth of field) and higher ISO values (which results in more noise). I didn’t notice that this happened until we were almost done with the Pemberton.
This photo was taken at the junction of the service road and the Pemberton Trail.
A view of one of the clay pits along the Pemberton. I’ve been told that clay was once mined here to determine its suitability for use in making pipe. Clay in this area might have been extensively mined were it not for the invention of PVC pipe.
A tank, which presumably once held water, near the former site of the ranch house.
A toppled windmill, also located near the site where the ranch house once was:
I stitched together four exposures to form this panorama of the “pond”. This is where wildlife in the area get their water.
These cut ocotillo branches and gate have been placed to match an old photo of the entrance to the homestead displayed on a nearby sign.
A dead tree along the Pemberton Trail:
I don’t hike Shallmo wash very often. The sand is usually very loose, but water from recent storms made the surface very firm for Friday’s hike.
Linda and Janet in Shallmo Wash:
More photos of Shallmo wash…
Susan says:
Wonderful pics. I am sure we’ll see some of these on the Park’s upcoming calendar.
August 23, 2014 — 11:27 am
mary says:
The opening two pictures were stunning! I always enjoy the shots you send along. Thanks, Kevin!
August 23, 2014 — 11:29 am
Nick Morigi says:
Quite spectacular. May soon be time to give up the day job.
August 23, 2014 — 11:38 am
Per Bjorkegren says:
Great to see your fine pictures every week and remember our hikes last February and earlier years. Hope to come back next year.
Your Swedish friends Christina and Per
August 24, 2014 — 9:33 am
jon leverenz says:
Very professional and skilled shots. Thank you. Jon L.
August 24, 2014 — 10:57 am
Wiley, says:
back in town, and will see you on the trail. Thanks wor the pics.
August 25, 2014 — 1:47 pm