I last hiked this loop 15 years ago, although I've gone out and back on the Dutchman leg three or four times in between. I went backwards from the description. The crowds were out in force, including one VERY large party (I lost count after 25), but I was pretty much alone on the Black Mesa side.

I've never seen water like this in the Supes, or so much grass. I kept myself soaked from all the streams throughout the trip. The wildflowers were a little better than I expected. I look forward to editing the photos and identifying the ones I don't know.

The big mound of stones (all small enough to carry) at the end of the Black Mesa Trail has a different meaning to me now than it did the first time I saw it. Back then I recognized it as unusual, but it didn't strike me as a definitely human artifact. I started looking for petroglyphs, but only found one that I suspect is inauthentic.