With Lynn and Skippy on a trek into the Maricopa Mountains in the Sonoran Desert National Monument => http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_sp ... n_des.html

Took FR8002 from the Road Closure area at SR238 and headed west along FR8002B until it dead-ended at a primo campsite. Of trail north over the saddle to join onto the Butterfield Pass Trail and loop back to the Road Closure area.

Lots of green and only a handful of wildflowers. Looks like our promising wildflower season is going to wimp out.

Dumb-founded as we leave, 2 "rice-rockets" pull into the parking area. Dude jumps out with holstered gun and a set of bolt cutters to knock down the gate. Two "rice-rockets" head north along FR8002 in a cloud of dust presumably to do some shooting...

Hike photos to follow...