After my doctors appointed I decide to take Rowdy out and checkout some more Great Horned Owls Nest. And one out of three was occupied. So I guess 1 out 3 ain't bad. wow what a great name for a song.

It was pretty quiet out I did however discover a Hawknest. And the hawk was not happy to see me so I moved on.
I also got a nice view of a Cardinal but no picture maybe next time.

Just time for a quick one in town today, so I thought I would try out some new trail. The trails out here are all really well manicured, but I think this must be a much better area for biking than hiking especially judging by who I found out on the trail. I made my way up the Apache Vista trail, cut around over to the Ridgeback Overlook, and then back to Apache Vista for one more up to try and squeeze as much elevation gain as I could for the hike. Hard to imagine these two 'peaks' were included in this year's version of the Phoenix Seven Summit Challenge, I feel like I would have gotten more effort out of the Hedgepeth Hills...I managed to keep a 3.7 mph+ pace even on the uphill sections without running at all. There are at least some nice views of the real mountains up in Cave Creek from here.

Linda met me at my house from there we headed over to Apache Wash Trailhead. This was Linda's first time on this side of the preserve. The weather was really nice out today.
Once we started on the Apache Wash Loop I heard a Cardinal singing so we looked around and found it. As we got out to the Esplanade Trail it seemed like it got some much needed rain. Linda got to see the owls nest which she liked seeing. I did spot another bird sitting on a Saguaro that was pretty far from us. I really wasn't sure what it was until I uploaded it and realized it is a hawk.
As we traveled on the trail Linda got a surprised from a big Rattlesnake. We finally reach the bridge and went under it to the other side to check out the third owls nest. From here we jumped on the Cliff Walk Trail where we encounter another Rattlesnake which was larger than the first one. I was really hoping to get a better picture of it but wasn't able to convince Linda to grab its tail and pull it out.
Oh well it was really nice enjoyable hike and myself I love hiking after it rains as everything seems cleaner and I like the smell of rain.

Strung together a bunch of SPN trails to create a longer than normal workout. Swung back by the trailhead for lunch under the ramada, changed socks and shoes and took off again. Not much breeze, but intermittent cloud cover helped.

Saw two Western DBacks along the trails in the afternoon. The first was the largest and most polite -- a soft gentlemanly rattle at about 5 feet. The last one was smaller and far more agitated. Gave them both a wide enough berth and pressed on.

Nice day to be on the trails. Now off to soak the dogs. They are certainly tired.

Wildflowers
Just the normal smattering of color.

Well I spent most of the day at the Mayo Clinic but did have a nice lunch at Bourbon Jacks Bar and Grill.
I made it home in time to take Rowdy out for a hike. The trailhead was a pretty busy for a work day. The weather was just awesome for a afternoon hike and Rowdy was a happy camper.

couldn't decide what to do today and i'm not sure how this area caught my eye while browsing haz this morning
didn't take long to drive up to the apache wash trailhead
took a look at the map, and had to take a photo of the map as there were no printed ones
got going around ten, giving me roughly three hours to hike in order to make the cardinals kickoff
took sidewinder to apache vista trail
back along sidewinder to ridgeback trail, and up to ridgeback overlook
the little loops at the top of both high points are a nice touch
down ridgeback to ocotillo and back to the trailhead
this loop wasn't long enough, so figured out i had time to do all of apache wash
little elevation change on the loop, but pleasant hiking through the vegetation along the wash
can't say as i'd do it again, unless mountain biking or trail running, but glad i experienced the whole loop
the first part of the hike had decent aeg and some good views from the overlooks and i would recommend this combo
plenty of mountain bikers, horseback riders and hikers out, but long stretches without anyone else
enjoyed seeing this part of the sonoran preserve and doing something new
would come back to hike the trails i missed
back home just in time for kickoff
go cards!

Took Deb and Komet out to burn a few Christmas Carbs.

The wind was absolutely brutal and cut right through you. Plenty of hikers, runners, bikers, horses and one uni-cyclist that was having a bit of trouble with the wind.

Well I decide to get Rowdy out early this morning. We got to the Apache Wash Trailhead about 4:45am and there were 11 cars already waiting. By the time the gate opened there were at least another dozen cars behind me. It was really nice and cool when we started about 79 out.
We headed out on the Apache Wash Loop Trail which was really a good idea, as no one followed. We did see a hiker coming from 40th street I guess because no one passed us.
The weather was great for the first 3 hours then it started warming up. and on the way back we did see a really beautiful Diamondback Rattlesnake laying across the trail. Hopefully I can get up early again for another hike.

Had seen the east end of a new connector trail from the Sonoran Preserve North's little used 14th Street TH. Today's hike was to find and map the new connector plus get in a few miles.

Temps were a just a tad higher than I like but there were cloud shadows now and then and a very nice breeze. Not many folks on the trails. At the Apache Wash TH, we did run into a couple that were mountain biking the area for the first time. They had started at the 7th Ave access point (future developed trailhead). They had followed the Sidewinder thinking it was a loop and that they had to be pretty close to where they started. I consider 7 miles reasonably close, but they didn't seem to feel the same when I helped them find where they were and where they needed to be on the nice big map provided at the TH. Made sure they had enough water and got them headed back via the easier Ocotillo Trail.

Nice easy hike for a lazy Thursday morning.

First time on this trail. Good to see that the northern section of the Sonoran Preserve is getting some more options. The section of this trail along the Cave Creek wash is pretty nice. Only one set of bike tracks and no footprints after yesterday's rain. Never saw anyone on the trail.

Thought I might have screwed up when I noticed some pretty dark clouds NW and moving my way. I just assumed with yesterday's rain that we were done with the wet stuff for a while. Didn't bother to pack any wet weather gear and there was a pretty good breeze. Could have made for a cold hike, but I lucked out and the rain never made to to me.

A few flowers here and there, but hopefully it won't be long before the desert gets seriously colorful this year.