The last time I was out here was in Feb 2006 when I did the Overton Trail. But they definitely changed the entrance with the switchbacks. Plus I remember, as I did the Overton clockwise, coming up the back of that hill was a chore and I remember trying to get a camera shot of the mine shaft and then coming almost straight down.

Anyway, I started at 3:30 and got back by 6:40 so not bad considering all the pictures I took. It's a great loop and though the wildflowers are waning, there were still lots. Next year if we get the good rain again, I am going to put this high on my to-do wildflower hike list. It must have been something. There is quite a variety of wildflowers including lots of owl clover and spatterings of that cute white daisy (baby aster I believe). The brittle bush was enmasse as well.

I always am pleased when I can figure out my landmarks such as Skull Mesa, Elephant Mtn, Sugarloaf Mtn - all from the Spur Cross area; and then I could see Pinnacle Peak, Tom's Thumb and Boulder Mtn. And of course, 4 Peaks. And from the front side of the hike you could see South Mtn and Squaw Peak. Oh, it was rodeo weekend too but I missed that traffic, yee haw.

The trail is quite smooth for most of the route so you don't have to keep your eye on the path so much. There wasn't much traffic including 2 pairs of runners. I was the only hiker. And toward the end, there was a biker. I think I run into less traffic because I hike later in the day, which I prefer for picture taking.

I am also getting more comfortable knowing I can do a 6 mile hike; although I stop at about the 1/2 pt to take the ibuprofen. Now if I can just pick up the pace. Whenever I first go on a trail, I always take too many pictures.