Howdee all,
Last week, while still camped at Gilbert Ray, we hiked to the top of Mt. Wassen.
We started at the Kings Canyon Trailhead, which is on the right, just beyond the Sonoran Desert Museum.
Distance Round Trip
7 miles
Trailhead Elevation
2850 feet
Elevation Gain
1785 feet
Avg Time Round Trip
5 - 6 hours
So we started our hike thru the wash..listening for birds.
Cactus
Wrens, Gila woodpeckers, Curve bill thrashers, Black throated sparrows were the predominate birds.A spider web sparkling in the morning sun
Hiking the wash..…Cactus nestled into a rock creviceSaguaro Cactus forestBarrel type Cactus growing out of Rock..
How the heck do they do that?As we approach this dryed up water fall area..we see small seeps of water..
where a lone Junco goes to sip.. We find Petroglyphs
And this Jasmine scented plant in the same area.Another Cactus growing out of Petroglyph rockA Costas hummingbird hangs out nearby The view behind us…
As we climb higherAnd higher..
and finally in front of us the path looks as though its at a peak…maybe we will see Tucson views from there.And we do…
Tucson from the crest of the trail From here we decided to take a different trail back …and since it pasts the short trail to Wassen Peak.
We went to the Peak..
for more Tucson Views
And views to the West We hike down another trail..passing lichen covered rock
We watch White throated swifts fly around us…As we take the trail back down…we see distant views of the Sonoran Desert museum.
And we dream of the Ice tea we will get there when we finish the hike..Another Barrel type cactus..growing on rock..
We see many Ladderback woodpeckers on this trail..
this ones head glistens in the afternoon sun..The final approach to the car..
and refreshments..Another beautiful Hike in Sonoran National Park West..
Wow, I've really missed out not seeing this park. Great captures all, yet really like the sun-sparkled spider web and Costas.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about your recent bird trip with Kathie.
Great pictures, Dawn! Did you see Quartzsite from the peak??
ReplyDeleteI love the area where you are currently staying - we had a delightful time there last Jan, but missed the costa's
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful hike!
ReplyDeleteThank you!I love seeing the birds.
Ice and snow here.
The Gold Finches are molting so Spring is just around the corner.
Sherry
...this must have been 5-6 hours of heaven. I'd go wacky just for the petroglyphs, but when you add in all the beauty of everything else.....just gorgeous.
ReplyDelete...love the PhD in the previous post! :-)
Gaelyn
ReplyDeleteYou would love some of the hikes here Gaelyn!
Rena and Ed
Thanks Rena..I saw you and Ed lounging around in your shorts!
Chris Petrak
Isnt it lovely here? Sorry you missed the costas?
Q
So glad that spring is coming for you soon! I look forward to you spring photos!
Kelly
It was heaven..all of it..
You would love taking pictures here!