A couple of weeks ago, my son-in-law and myself headed out to the desert early in the morning for an extensive hike up some surrounding hills. I’m not sure what the elevation gain was, but we certainly had a great panorama of the surrounding valley floor. The trails are well-marked and well-groomed. What we initially thought was that we would go out an hour and then back an hour. The day was going to get into the high 90’s so we didn’t want to be out too long. At the hour mark, we saw an abandoned mine that was fenced off on top of another hill from us. Of course being guys, we just had to hike over to that hill to see it. So, that little venture was another 30 minutes. Fascinating to us, but I couldn’t get any pictures that made sense to share as the location was surrounded by a chain link fence. We could see on the side of the hill tailings from the mine and a steel gate entry. On the top where we hiked it was a huge hole that opened clear down to the bottom of the mine…yes we threw rocks to see how long before they hit the bottom. Such a guy thing 🙂 So, an hour and a half out, an hour and a half back.
What we did see along the way was the Saguaro Cactus was blooming. It looks so weird to see the buds pop out almost overnight and then bloom.
I have attached shots from our three hours…
Half way up the hill, you can see some the lower end of our trail in the background….
Desert Hike 2
More buds and blooms…
Near the top…
…and at the top. You can see the Sierra Estella Mountain Range in the background. We are facing east and behind the Estrella’s is the city of Phoenix. We are located at the extreme western edge of the metropolitan area (half way to California as the people from the eastern area of Phoenix refer to it).
It was very windy on this particular day, thus the haze in the air from desert sand and dust.
So, three hours in the desert on marked trails…no snakes, an abandoned mine, blooming saguaro and we made it back mid-morning before the heat got too intense…all in all a good hike!! I’m continually surprise on how much there is in the desert to see. Not the lifeless place I had always thought!
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Oh I would have been all over trying to explore the abandoned mine! Very cool. I can appreciate you would have wanted to do this in the morning. Melting of humans begins at noon 🙂
My favorite photo is Desert Hike 3. Stunning.
We were pretty whipped and hot when we got back. We were trying to figure out what they were mining…have to research into that…it was a small mine….similar to many I have seen in the Rockies around Denver. Thanks for taking the time with my blog!
It would be interesting to know what they were mining. Let me know if you find out.
I enjoy the reading of you blog Kirt, and to be frank, the learning from your photography. 🙂 I appreciate both.
I did some research…mining was never that big here and what was done appears to have been done by the Spanish way back in the early 1800’s. Gold and silver was mentioned…not much of either. For what it’s worth…:)
I wondered if it might be gold. Conjures up all kinds of stories of what might have gone on in those shafts!
Exactly.
Love this!! The desert fascinates me…happy no snakes:) Also love that you admitted to “a guy thing!” Blessitude
Thanks Lorrie! I am learning to appreciate the wonders of the desert. Thanks on the ” guy thing” 🙂
😉
amazing landscapes. I was going to say, ‘countryside’ but that doesn’t really seem to fit!
Exactly, when I think of countryside, I think of rolling hills, meadows, etc. The desert is unique and I am starting to get use to it.
Really beautiful! You have made me want to visit that part of the US.
Thanks!!
Great pictures, enjoyed reading about your hike. Glad you didn’t encounter any snakes!
Thanks Bernadette!!
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Wow. I don’t know that I’d survive a desert hike. But love the pictures.
Early morning the sun isn’t as intense…not too bad! Mid day…not so much:)
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Great photographs. The cacti were beautiful and blooming. Wow! Mountains in the background…perfect.
Thank you very much!!
That is surprisingly beautiful country (says the guy from New England). Thanks for the description and points of reference.
The desert is a new experience for me and I have been pleasantly surprised!
Woah, tall cactus! You have a sunset? =)
Diana
I have sunrise… https://thewallgalleryblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/desert-sunrise-excerpts-from-a-photo-shoot/ if this link doesn’t work it was posted 10/22/14. Thanks!!
Thanks, K. Not what I was seeing in my head but it’s lovely. =)
Diana