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| Esplanade Owl Check - Apache Wash Wildflowers, AZ | |
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| | Esplanade Owl Check - Apache Wash Wildflowers, AZ | | | |
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Esplanade Owl Check - Apache Wash Wildflowers, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.75 Miles |
215 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.75 Miles | 3 Hrs 25 Mns | | 2.37 mph |
| 215 ft AEG | 9 Mns Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | I wrote this several weeks ago but am just now getting around to posting a few of my wildflower hikes: I thought it was time to do an Owl Check-Up so I put together a route where I could also do my usual hike out there. I was hoping there was a way to cross over from Esplanade to Apache Wash on the northside but I couldn't see anything. So I would have to do an out and back to the Apache Loop and then crossover to Sidewinder. It was the perfect day for my Samsung as it likes that filtered sun. It was very crowded around the trailhead and on the way to the Esplanade. There were several bike riders including some newbies. I was having trouble seeing my screen and I fiddled with it for a while but gave up and continued, hoping that the filming would turn out okay.
The Esplanade Trail was so incredibly green, and with the light and the cactus jetting out it made for the usual fabulous scenery but amped up. I almost felt like I was on a golf course in some areas. The trail was in decent enough shape except for the dry mud tracks caused by the bike riders. I did try to turn my camera off more than on, but you all know how that goes for me. I had good distant views including toward the snowed Mazzies and Four Peaks, so my Pany got a little workout too. I did come across some large brightly bulbed Christmas Cholla  that run along the drainage that disects this area. There were bits of poppies off and on at the beginning and as I neared the south Owl area. And even a few miniature Owl Clover were raising their blooms to say hello. I sure hope they are going to get bigger and multiply.
I spotted the owl nest fairly quickly. This is the one I usually miss on the first pass. She was up and laying in her nest. Based on the pictures I thought she looked a little miserable. She did keep her eyes on me as I circled to get a better angle. I continued the next half-mile to check on the north owl. The birds seemed pretty vocal today as well. No one was home at the north nest so I retraced my steps.
My hope was not to film on the way back to the Apache Wash Trail. I did succeed in no filming but I did end up taking several shots from the desert floor up. Those turned out pretty cool. I encountered three hikers at the junction of the Apache Wash Loop and wouldn't see anyone again until I got to the Sidewinder. It's always interesting hiking near the wash as it's quite lush; especially now. I took the first crossover to the other side of the Apache Wash Loop and headed north for a bit to hook up with the connector to the Sidewinder.
The sun was now mostly gone and the wind had picked up so I started to get really cold. I wish I had brot my extra shirt that I could easily tie around my waist; I just didn't expect it to get cold (I was wearing a sleeveless top). I continued to film a little but tried to avoid the housing area that seems to be creeping closer on this side. I started up the Sidewinder Trail but was hiking to the wind. I was just getting chilled so I knew I had to turn back and head for the Trailhead. I was so mad at myself for not having that shirt as I was having such a good hike and feeling so strong. With the wind at my back I headed east and then south on the Apache Connector Trail. Soon I would be seeing lots of poppies, mostly cold like me. However, it was still a nice display of fluted poppy heads and then a very nice mix of Lupine and some Bladderpod. I took some more photos and movies until the wildflowers stopped.
On the Ocotillo Trail were the usual nice views with the green desert floor accentuating the cactus. And per usual, I started running into more hikers but they had jackets or long sleeve shirts on. I took the trail to the TH and all of a sudden my phone screen went completely dark. I couldn't even turn off my phone. I was able to somehow get to the brightness screen and slid right so that I could see it again. There must be some button I push to cause that as it's happened before. This is the second hike I've been too chilled to drink my beer. Oh well, it was an awesome hike, nonetheless. Lesson learned.
I think you will enjoy these videos, mostly because seeing how green our desert floor was a real treat  ! I did narrate a lot; I never know if that's good or bad  .
Esplanade Trail Owl - Part 1 [ youtube video ]
Esplanade Trail Owl - Part 2 [ youtube video ]
Apache Wash Trail from Esplanade - [ youtube video ]
Apache Wash Trail Wildflowers 2 - [ youtube video ]
Apache Wash Trail Wildflowers 3 - [ youtube video ] |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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