Tag: McDowell Mountain Park (page 17 of 46)

Bob, Mike, Linda, Sara, and I hiked a 8.25 mile loop starting from the Horse Staging Area. The morning was surprisingly cool for mid to late May. I was cold when we started and added a layer that I wore throughout the entire hike.

This is a look at one of the vertical banks in Stoneman/Pemberton Wash.

A dead tree in Stoneman Wash:

This textured region of desert is just south of the service road that connects the Long Loop to the Pemberton.

Bob, Mike, Linda, and Sara. This was a tricky shot to post-process due to shooting into the sun.

Another view from the service road…

Creosote:

A view of Four Peaks from the Pemberton Trail:

A view from the Cinch Trail.  Weaver’s Needle and the Flatiron can both be seen in the distance.

Joe, Bob, Mike, and I hiked a portion of the Dixie Mine Trail on Friday.

Nora, Mike, and I hiked 8.3 miles starting from the Horse Staging Area.

Sunrise at the Horse Staging Area:

Creosote:

Buckwheat in front of buckhorn cholla:

Ratany:

San Filipe Dogweed:

Buckhorn cholla:

A view from the Pemberton Trail:

Arizona Blister Beetle:

Mike and Nora:

A view of Four Peaks from the Tonto Tank Trail:

A view of Red Mountain from the Shallmo Wash Trail:

Mike and I hiked 8.5 miles starting from the Wagner Trailhead. The desert is drying out, but there is still an abundance of flowers.

We started early – just before sunrise. I got this shot from the Wagner Trail prior to the start of the hike.

Buckwheat:

Senna:

Sunrise on the Tortoise Trail:

I think this is Goldeneye:

At around the time that I photographed this bunny, I learned that the soles of my new shoes (Xero Prio) were not impervious to thorns.

This might be Sweetbush:

Saguaros in Stoneman Wash:

Lupine:

Palo Verde:

We saw this very green plant in Stoneman Wash – Mike told me what he thought it was, but I’ve now forgotten:

Wolfberry (or maybe Hackberry) mixed in with some other plants:

Ocotillo:

Lupine and Poppies:

We saw this plant on the Granite Trail, right next to the lupine and poppies. We didn’t know what it was at the time, but Mike has since identified it as a Fiddleneck.

Desert Pincushion:

This is the wash below the Bluff Trail:

Chuparosa:

Miniature Woollystar:

Hedgehog cactus:

Hedgehog blossom surrounded by other plants:

Banana Yucca:

Linda, Bill, Mike, Bob, and I hiked a little over seven miles starting from the Horse Staging Area. It was a cool morning, but winter rain has brought us some early flowers!

A view from the parking lot (Horse Staging Area):

Lupine:

A view from the Technical Loop:

Mexican Poppy:

Thompson Peak and the McDowells:

A view of Four Peaks:

A young saguaro with its nurse plant:

Weaver’s Needle and the Flatiron can be seen in the distance:

A view from the service road connecting the Long Loop (which is one of the competitive tracks) with the Pemberton.

Creosote:

A view from the Pemberton Trail:

Wishbone:

Chuparosa: