Today's Hiike

Today we hiked the Pass Mountain Trail from the Meridian trailhead to the saddle. As I started the climb to the saddle (I had gone ahead of Karen) it started to drizzle. That was actually kind of nice but just as I got to the saddle it started raining. And then it started raining hard! I put my iPhone in one of the waterproof bags that I carry. Then my thoughts turned to the steep trail down over lots of "slick rock." Happily I discovered that it's just a name; the rock wasn't slick at all. We ended up hiking back in an almost non-stop rain. It let up at times but never completely stopped. We were soaked and our hiking boots were covered with mud. A very unique desert hike!

Near the trailhead. The morning light made for a nice photo.

Comfortable Cat

Hiking in Prescott

We made a day trip to Prescott on Wednesday and hiked trails on the east side of Willow Lake.

Slow Shutter Speed

I found an app for my iPhone which allows control of the "shutter speed." I'm sure it's using a stacking technique but the results mimic a slow shutter speed. Here are 2 pictures I took during a recent trip to Las Vegas using the app.

Las Vegas

We're in Las Vegas for a couple of days. Here are a couple of pictures from the Flamingo's courtyard.

Moth

This huge moth was on our front door this morning.

Prescott

This area of the granite dells had standing water, a rarity in the desert. I'm guessing it was water that     was seeping through the rocks from Willow Lake.

Water seeping through the rocks.

A standing pool of water.

The trail passes right through this gully with the standing pools of water.

The dam that forms Willow Lake.

Prescott

The Willow Lake Shore Trail turned out to be one of the more aggressive hikes in the granite dells. I did the hike mostly by myself because Karen didn't want to climb up one exposed ridge. I actually got lost and ended up having her pick me up on the other side of the lake. I can't wait to get back and see where I went wrong.

Algae at the water's edge made for a nice picture. 

The ridge that Karen didn't want to climb.

One of the "slots" the trail passes through.

Bridge on the trail.

Prescott Petroglyphs

At the end of the new Centennial Trail are a group of petroglyphs. They're also accessible right off a road. We, of course, hiked to them.

Prescott

We were in Prescott again on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday we hiked along the west shore of Watkins Lake.

Flat Tires

I had 3 flat tires in a row this week! These are the culprits.

One Of Today's Hikes

Heading up Spook Hill.

iPad Cat

Seen On Today's Hike

A bee hive built into an opening in the rock at Wind Cave. I've never seen an "open" bee hive like that before.

Prescott

More photos from recent trips to Prescott.

Panorama photo of Watkins Lake. Note the dam on the left.

Our version of "Where's Waldo." Where's Karen?

Removing an obstacle from the trail. (hahaha)

And where's Ross?

Prescott

Some pictures from a couple of recent trips to Prescott.

Karen on a narrow section of the Constellation Trails.

Critter who posed for a close up.

Lush area below the dam that forms Watkins Lake.

Karen coming up on a steep section of trail.

Seen On Today's Bike Ride

This baby tortoise belongs to the Usery Park visitor center. One of the volunteers had it out on the patio. I got down on the ground to take the first 2 pictures.

Found On Yesterday's Bike Ride

A dead Tarantula Hawk. Note the large stinger!

On The Pass Mt. Saddle Trail

Saguaro in bloom.

Thursday's Bike Ride

I rode the Bush Highway/Usery Pass Road on Thursday for the first time. It's about a 28 mile ride round trip from home with lots of hill climbing.