The first 5 1/4 miles was awesome as it was cloudy a sweet breeze and it sprinkled lightly and we really never got wet. We took a nice little break under the bridge and when we got up and started again it was clear skies.
It did not take long to warm up as there was really no shade for the next three miles and Rowdy needs his shade.
Tomorrows hike should be sweet as we head to the Mogollon Rim.

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.

I woke up a little sore from yesterdays hike and almost did not hike at all today. I banged up my knee a little and when I jumped in the shower I discovered I had quills in my leg. But by the afternoon Rowdy was wondering why its taking so long to go hiking. I had planned on another hike but decided on something a little easier. And I am glad I did as it was another beautiful afternoon out.
I hike I did I hadn't decided on anything in particular until I was at the trailhead. It was a quiet afternoon and I guess I chose the least travel trails which and to our pleasure.
I have been keeping an eye out on those big nest knowing mating season is on its way. I spotted my first Great Horned Owl of the year today and it was perfect. But that was early on and as we kept hiking I spotted another big empty nest. But the next nest I saw a pair of ears sticking up and there was my first nesting owl of the year.
This was a very nice hike and Rowdy met another rescued dog a Blue Heeler and he shared his water with nice.

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.

Used Widowmaker's track and ran it clockwise. I was looking for something today and this really fit the bill. For whatever reason I ended up with a NASTY blood blister on my pinky toe that was KILLING me for the last 4 miles! Hit the lot at 5:02 AM and there were already a couple of cars in the lot before me. Went all the way out to Carefree Hwy on Esplanade and came back on Cliff Walk trail. Lots of hot air balloons floating around and some military helicopters flew over. Saw my first saguaro cactus blossoms of the season, finally!

Wildflowers
Saguaro, buckhorn, sunflower

A very nice hike. I met a park ranger on my hike we talked for a little bit. He also gave me a map with the new trails listed on it. Rowdy seem a lit on the hot side today,extra breaks.
It was really great to see a couple of Great Horned Owls nesting on the trail and a Horned Lizard.
I did go to REI after our hike and bought Rowdy a swamp cooler dog vest and a new pair of boots. Tomorrow could really be interesting.

Coolest afternoon in a while, so why not hike? Parked off Carefree Highway just west of the Cave Creek Wash bridge. Pulled out the phone and hit the HAZ Tracks app. My first hike using the app. Love it.

Hadn't hiked Cliff Walk yet, so that was new. The cloud cover made it possible to move fast, well fast for me. Not much color, just some bright hedgehogs, the yellow of the creosote blooms and the smallest globe mallow I've ever seen.

Hit the intersection with Badger Brawl quick enough. BTW, this name isn't just random. A couple of years ago I ran into two badgers up near the official trail head on Dove Valley Parkway. Had no idea there were actually badgers around here.

Turned onto Skunk Wash to link over to Esplanade. Up ahead a biker was waving wildly. Got close enough to hear him yelling rattlesnake. A 2-and-a-half foot Western was stretched across the trail between me and the biker who was a good 40 feet from the snake. Apparently the biker and the Dback had been engaged in a long range standoff for about 20 minutes. I am far less patient, but sympathetic to the biker. Rolled a rock or two at the snake thinking he'd move off the trail. No luck, he was gonna stand his ground. I took a photo and walked around the little bully. Discussed snakes a few minutes with the biker (no, the don't strike 3 times their length, nor are they as speedy as a horse). Headed on down the trail. I didn't look back to see if either had budged. My second rattler this year and both on this trail.

Got some very very light sprinkles on the way back to the Jeep. Just enough to make everything feel even better. Was nice to get some trail time.

Well I got a late start as usual but I was just happy to get Rowdy out this weekend. He has been really sick and didn't go with me last week. This was a 10 mile hike that crossed the Cave Creek dry river bed which is pretty wide. This trails follows along the creek the whole way and does have some nice drop offs. I would definitely be careful as some of the edges look like there is no support underneath.
This trail seems to be popular with bike riders. It is really nice this time of the year. So much green and birds and butterflies just a great day for Rowdy and me.

This was nice little hike, a out and back on a nice breezy day. My poor Rowdy is sick so he stayed at home. I hit the trail about one or so and it was not to busy today.
The trail is a new one in the Preserve and is fairly flat. I saw my first snake of the new year which was nice. Lots of birds and butterflys out today but the butterflies never stopped flying=no pictures.