Category: Uncategorized (page 1 of 6)

Heather and I did a variation of the Cottonwood Spring Loop. Starting on the Spur Cross Trail, we turned off onto the Metate Trail, did the short diversion on the Towee Trail, and then continued on Metate. When we got to the Cave Creek Wash, we continued across the Wash into the drainage which empties into Cave Creek. Surprisingly, there were a few wet spots, probably enough to filter, had we needed additional water.  The drainage, which I think might be named Dirt Trough Creek, eventually led to the Cottonwood Trail, #247. From there, we hiked past the intersection for the Skull Mesa Trail, #248, and continued on to Trail #247A. This trail was difficult to follow.  Heather and I got off track a number of times, but the navigation on our GPS watches helped us to find the right track.

Temps for the day got into the low eighties which is warmer than either Heather or I are adapted to in early February. We had discussed doing the Skull Mesa Trail too, but when we were finished we glad we didn’t – Trail #247A is constantly going up and down, giving us enough total ascent for the day.

A look at Skull Mesa from the Metate Trail:

This is a metate, for which the Metate Trail is named.

Down-turned arms usually indicate that the Saguaro was subjected to really cold conditions at some point in its life.

This is a view from the wash.

This might be an ancient petroglyph, though it could be of more recent origin too – it doesn’t look etched enough to me.

Another view from the wash:

A view of Skull Mesa from the Cottonwood Trail, #247:

We’re still on Trail #247 at this point; we had slightly overshot the turn onto #247A – it’s somewhat behind us and to the right, marked with a cairn.

A view of the wash that we had hiked in earlier in the day from #247A.

Marilyn, Heather, Gayle, and I hiked in McDowell Mountain Regional Park on Sunday. We looked at some petroglyphs that I only learned of about a month ago. Near the end of our hike, we saw a rattlesnake.

On Sunday, April 4, I hiked 11 miles, mostly in the desert, though I did make my way over to the fountain before returning home.

Red Mountain:

I saw two rattlesnakes, but only got a photo of the second. It was nearly dark and it was hard to see. I had to frame the snake and focus while trying to aim my flashlight at the snake. This photo, below, turned out to be the best of those that I took.

Red Mountain and Fountain:

Nearing sunset:

Looking toward Red Mountain as it’s getting dark:

I saw this snake as I finishing my Monday night hike.

On Sunday, I hiked a 12.5 mile loop incorporating the South Wash in McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

This is a view as I was making my way over to South Ridge:

This is a view from South Ridge:

Views from South Wash…

When I left South Wash, I hiked Dixie Mine to Pemberton. I think I took this shot shortly after turning onto the Pemberton.

Another shot from the Pemberton – it was starting to get dark.

Looking back toward the McDowells:

Dave and Heather joined Marilyn and me for a hike up and down the Mogollon Rim. Starting from the Geronimo Trailhead, we hiked Geronimo to the Turkey Trail, which took us to Milk Ranch Point, a Mogollon Rim peninsula. Atop the rim, we hiked FS 218 and then headed back down via the West Webber Trail. We returned to the trailhead via the Geronimo Trail.

We crossed this small creek at the start:

A view from the Geronimo Trail:

Heather and Marilyn, hiking up the Turkey Trail:

A view from the Turkey Trail:

Dave took this photo of Heather, me, and Marilyn:

(Photo Credit: Dave Sesteli)

There were some expansive views from the Turkey Trail. We decided to go up this trail instead of West Webber because I had read that West Webber was shadier – I wanted the shade during the warmer parts of the day.

A view from the West Webber Trail. West Webber was mostly in forest. This was probably the most expansive view available from that trail.

Marilyn and I crossed this “bridge” on our way back. Dave and Heather had hiked ahead of us and most likely took the left fork while descending the West Webber Trail. I enjoyed this stretch of trail – there was just enough growth to make me look twice in a few spots to see where to go next.

We saw this mushroom on the Geronimo Trail not long before arriving back at the trailhead.