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| | | McDowell Sonoran Preserve Southeastern Loop, AZ | | | |
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McDowell Sonoran Preserve Southeastern Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 9.05 Miles |
503 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.05 Miles | 3 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.78 mph |
| 503 ft AEG | 5 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Finally I was able to complete this hike, my first solo hike in the AM as I have been hiking in the afternoons. I got to the TH in about 35 minutes from my house. It was a breezy morning as I geared up.
I didn't spend anytime at this new TH and just headed on my way west to zig/zag over to the first trail of the day, Whiskey Bottle Trail. My eyes were immediately drawn to the ground to check out some belly flowers. The first part of this hike I was going to use my phone and regular camera to compare quality and in this case, it was easier to zoom to the ground than get close enough to get the pics of the belly flowers. There were also some blooming Mormon Tea as well. And of course, out here, we get the yucca which is a nice addition to the regular desert flora. It really is amazing how the desert around us can be so different within only miles.
And then I saw a sprinkling of poppies with a few lupine and the usual dotting of the landscape of Dichelostemma capitatum. You start contouring up the slight hill of Fraesfield Mountain and here a lot of Fairy Dusters start to show off. Another hiker passed me by, she had a camera dangling from her shoulder. I would pass by her a little later and not see her or another hiker until I got up to the Granite Mountain area. There were plenty of Wiry Lotus too and then the poppies and lupine appeared more. But I don't believe the amount or quality is to the normal level of spring that we're used to here. After I crossed over Dixileta Dr road/trail, all the spring wildflowers would disappear until I got to the Granite Mountain area.
My next treat was listening to a hawk as it surveyed its kingdom. I then saw another hawk over on a saguaro. Then the first hawk flew to a saguaro where they seemed to be talking back and forth; very interesting sound I thot. Then they flew to a tree joining yet another hawk before they all flew off as I hiked by. This is why I carry my camera with good zoom. Finally I continued on my way trying to pick up the pace a bit as I had been dawdling.
The desert is very full through here. As I neared the Granite Mountain part of my hike, the people traffic immediately picked up and didn't quit until I crossed back over the Power Line Road. And then it dawned on me, it was spring break and maybe that's why there were so many people, UGH! Once on the Granite Mountain Trail the wildflower activity definitely picked up. However, it was still not to the level I'm used to over here and I don't think it is going to get a whole lot better; but I think it will continue to bloom pretty good for the near future.
I eventually joined up with the Bootlegger Trail as I continued north toward the Scenic View. I don't think I've hiked it this direction before as usually I hiked it in the late afternoon after work, so it was a little different experience. I saw a beautiful Desert Lavender plant and some nice looking Canyon Ragweed and the usual mix of poppies and lupine here and there plus some nice looking Chuparosa. And guess what I saw, though small, Owl Clover  . I would see it off and on during this north part of my loop/figure 8.
At the Scenic View another family had followed me up. I grabbed my distant view photo and then looked to the south where I saw the fountain; no green water this year. It reminded me that I had hiked Adero Canyon last year on St Patty's Day where I got the cool pictures of the green water [ photo ] . I pointed it out to the family and found out they were from Iowa. They all looked so happy to be here; all smiles.
Now to head back through the hordes of people and hook back up with the Bootlegger Trail which would take me south and west of the VC. This is really a beautiful area with the saguaros and boulders scattered about. There were splashes of blooming Brittlebush along with the usual suspects of wildflowers. I was so glad to get south of the Mason-Dixon (Powerline Road) where the traffic almost completely ended until I approached the Fraesfield TH.
The cactus on the Turpentine Trail was impressive between all the varieties and sizes. I was able to get a couple bird pictures too. There were some more of that dried up plant I saw on the far west side of the preserve that looks like some sort of thistle. Still didn't get a great picture of it; should have pulled out my camera.
The Buckhorn Cholla was still impressive all the way back. There was also a large patch of Desert Rhubarb that all of a sudden appeared and then disappeared. Once again you cross over Dixileta Road/Trail (runs east/west) and you join up with the Black Hill Trail for the last leg back to the TH. Here they have a couple signs (just like when I crossed over on Whiskey Bottle) showing you directions and mileage. There is also a Maricopa Trail sign which I guess I was on too.
Now with .8 to go, I was happy to know I would soon be drinking my beer after another great hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. I forgot you could actually hike Fraesfield Mountain so I'll have to add that to my next hike out here. As you go into a slight depression the blown over grass is real pretty too. I don't know about you, but I don't recall the grass being so white this late into March. I'm thinking maybe Sunday afternoon I might do the Granite Mountain Loop to check out the wildflower action; altho it's supposed to be windy which makes shooting wildflowers challenging.
WATCH: 8.55 miles 2818 high point, 2561 low point. Avg bpm 115, max 146 (4% aerobic, 65% weight control, 29% low intensity) First mile took 37 minutes because of photo taking. 1174 calories were burned. 62.5 sunny degrees and 23% humidity with occasional stiff breezes finishing at 12:31PM |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
some Globemallow with lots getting ready to bloom. A few blooming sweet acacia bushes/trees. |
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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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