Sunday, March 4, 2018

Hike to the boulders

Sunday, March 4, 2018 – Location: Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, Arizona

Woke up around 7:30 this morning to a beautiful sunshiny day, but a slight chill in the air.  Turned the Wave on for about a half hour till the sun warmed up the MH. 

Took a couple of pictures when I walked Yuma this morning.  The Cactus Wren was making quite a racket.  I think he wanted Yuma and me to leave.

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There’s home with a beautiful backdrop!

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Had a leisurely breakfast and around 10 o’clock, Deb (On a long and lonesome highway….  )and I took a hike just over a mile due west of the MH towards a pile of interesting boulders.  Supposed to be a cool day so decided not to go very far from home today.  Turned out to be a perfect day for hiking.  Not to cool and not to hot.  And the puffy clouds helped with the views as we climbed.

There are the boulders off in the distance due west of us.

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Looking to our left (south) as we walk along.

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Getting closer.

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Took a water break during the climb.  Yuma needed a rest.

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Come on slow poke!  It’s not that steep.  Maybe not for his four paws, but it’s a lot of up for me!

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Looking back towards Superstition Mountain.

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Yuma checking to see if I’m still coming along.  That Yuma has so much energy!

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At the top now looking through the boulders towards Apache Junction way down there.

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View to the north.

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That guy is in rough shape.

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Yuma on top of the highest boulder looking out over Apache Junction.

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Yuma’s telling Deb to be careful up there.  Long drop down to Apache Junction.

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This is certainly some rugged country.

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Now remember we are only about a mile and a half to where I left the Jeep.  I zoomed down to the parking area and there are two trailers with horses.  Lots of horse trails around this area.

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Starting our hike back down to the Jeep.  Long way down!

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Looking back at the trail we followed to the top of the boulders.

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The horse trailers may be gone, but the horses left their calling cards.  Great hike and it’s only around 2 o’clock.  Plenty of time to lay around in my lounge chair and enjoy this beautiful day.

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Looked up from my blog writing to barely catch sundown.  Red, yellow and white.

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See you later.

18 comments:

  1. Lots of amazing pictures of the mountainous terrain. It looks like the trail was pretty steep. Love all the cacti pictures! I'm glad Yuma was able to keep up with you two. Really a neat area. Have a good night. ❤

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  2. Thanks Dolly. Was a nice hike. Lots of pretty views of the whole area. Probably too many pictures, but to me everywhere is so amazing!

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  3. Wow...your pictures are gorgeous, also. You really had some wonderful views on your hike today. The picture of Yuma standing on the large boulder, if I counted right 7th from end, is just wonderful. Plus, I have to say it, all the majestic Saguaros just pop in the pictures.

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    1. Thanks Deb. Was a nice hike. Very pretty in this area and to be so close to town is a nice benefit. Phoenix and surrounding towns have it good for outdoor activities.

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  4. As always,great pictures Doug,and funny how Yuma can scramble on those boulders

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    1. Thanks Rawn. Sometimes I worry he may fall, but i just hope he has better judgement. Big boulders in that area.

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  5. More awesome pictures of that area to is so scenic.

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    1. Thanks George. Was surprised how beautiful it was just in our own neck of the woods.

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  6. You really take some wonderful pictures Doug. Glad you and Deb got a nice hike in and boy were you up there. Great pic of you and Yuma. The Saguaros are wonderful!

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    1. Thanks Shirley. Good to have horse trails to follow. Made it much more enjoyable than walking through rocks. Able to look up more often.

      The Saguaros are large in this area. Been around a long time.

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  7. Thinking of the desert southwest as flat sage-filled sand is to wrong! You and Yuma certainly find your share of hills and boulders to scramble. Another beautiful hike.

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    1. Thanks Jeff. At least I get the heart pumping. At my age it's important to exercise.

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  8. Those Superstition Mountains make a beautiful backdrop - whether of Home or of you and Yuma perched on the boulders. Yuma is so cute when he is checking to see if you are still coming along behind. And he also seems to keep an eye on Deb's where shouts too. Really glad you are able to enjoy all this rugged beauty - truly amazing photos ! 🌵🌷🐕🌞

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    1. Thanks Moonfly. Hopefully the weather gets better in your neck of the woods so you can get out of the house.

      Had a great hike yesterday. Sore afterwards, so I do need to take a day off to give my legs a rest. Yuma never gets tired of running around in the boulders.

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  9. Great pictures Doug. Captured the hike wonderfully!! The views made the hike more than worth the effort in my opinion. Thanks for sharing the walk. Nice to have some company on those types of climbs. Yuma has so much energy, it's hard to believe that he can go for so long at such a pace.

    Thanks again.

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    1. Enjoyed the hike with you. Glad to see you so energetic and moving up and down those trails and boulders like it was easy. But Yuma beat us both. He was running everywhere and then coming back to check on me. Between us, I think we gave everyone a view of the area.

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  10. What gorgeous views, Doug. I started out picking a favourite picture but there were too many. You two (three counting Yuma) will be so fit at the end of the season! good for you! I love how Yuma keeps checking on you to make sure everything is fine before going on.

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    1. Thanks Patsy. That Yuma is the best companion. I was lucky the day I walked into the Yuma Animal Rescue Center and met the little jumper.

      Got the right amount of exercise yesterday. Didn't overdo, but found a scenic place nearby camp.

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