Flowers, Sunset, Night – 3/14/2015

1503 Vervain in Agua Caliente Canyon
Vervain in Agua Caliente Canyon. March 2015.

The plan was take pictures of the flowers, I knew Mariposa Lilies were scattered along the ridge… But the wind, blowing relentlessly, didn’t cooperate with our plan… We could have turned around but it was just too beautiful.

1503 Gazing into Gnat Tank
Gazing into Gnat Tank. March 2015.

With the wind keeping us from endlessly taking flower pictures we reached Gnat Tank more quickly than expected – beautiful reflections, and plenty of time to do the full La Milagrosa and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail Loop.

1503 Last light on the climb out of Agua Caliente Canyon
Last light on the climb out of Agua Caliente Canyon. March 2015.

The sun set while we were in Agua Caliente Canyon and on the climb up the colors in the sky were extrodinary – lights came on in the city while we descended the La Milagrosa Trail.

1503 Conjuring Light from the Pools in La Milagrosa Canyon
Conjuring Light from the Pools in La Milagrosa Canyon. March 2015.

Our headlamps were on before we reached the La Milagrosa Canyon crossing – we stopped and watched beetles in the pools and a spider hunting over the water before hiking back into the night.

6.3 miles, +/- 1450′ elevation gain/loss.

Sunset, City Lights, Stars – 3/13/2015

1503 Sunset from the Agua Caliente Canyon Trail
Sunset from the Agua Caliente Canyon Trail. March 2015.
1503 Last light just before descending into Agua Caliente Canyon
City lights – starting the descent into Agua Caliente Canyon. March 2015.
1503 Enjoying the Night in La Milagrosa Canyon
Stars – night in La Milagrosa Canyon. March 2015.

 

Sunset, City Lights, Stars – La Milagrosa and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail Loop.

Night at Romero Pools – 3/11/2015

1503 Romero Pools by Headlamp
Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. March 2015.
1503 Night Hike to Romero Pools
Looking down Romero Canyon. March 2015.

A night hike to Romero Pools – sunset, centipede, sounds of water, red spotted toad, the pools by headlamp, stars, great company – 5.9 miles, +/- 1300′ of elevation gain/loss.

Flowers on the Cody Trail – 3/5/2015

1503 Fendler's Buckbrush
Fendler’s Buckbrush along the Cody Trail. March 2015.
1503 Flower on the Cody Trail
I believe this is Slimflower Scurfpea – Psoralidium tenuiflorum – along the Cody Trail. March 2015.
1503 Fiddleneck
Fiddleneck on the Cody Trail. March 2015.

 

A short hike among the beautiful flowers – Cody Trail from the American Flag Trailhead – 5 miles, +/- 900′ of elevation gain and loss.