babad doag trailhead

Flowers and Fire on the Babad Do’ag Trail – 8/14/2017

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Pringles Cluster Vine on the Babad Do'ag Trail. August 2017.
Pringles Cluster Vine on the Babad Do’ag Trail. August 2017.
Yellow Trumpet Bush on the Babad Do'ag Trail. August 2017.
Yellow Trumpet Bush on the Babad Do’ag Trail. August 2017.

The Babad Do’ag Trail is surrounded by flowers and green! I am more familiar with the trail in winter when the hillsides are shades of brown and tan, amazing to see it so green – but the trail is quite low on the mountain and, even with a few clouds and a little wind, the heat was… oppressive…

In April of this year the General Hitchcock Highway was briefly closed due to the Molino Fire. News reports at the time indicated that the suspected cause of the fire was recreational shooting. Ultimately the fire was fairly small – around 80 acres – and after the summer rains/growth it is hard to see the fire’s impact. The fire did touch the Babad Do’ag Trail – but only lightly, occasional burned agave mixed in with new growth.

Green growth and black burn from the Molino Fire. August 2017.
Green growth and black burn from the Molino Fire. August 2017.
The April 2017 Molino Fire perimeter in Black - the Babad Do'ag Trail is shown in red. August 2017.
The April 2017 Molino Fire perimeter in Black (a little over 80 acres) – the Babad Do’ag Trail is shown in red. August 2017.
Signs of the April 2017 Molino fire on the Babad Do'ag Trail. August 2017.
Signs of the April 2017 Molino fire on the Babad Do’ag Trail. August 2017.

Babad Do’ag Trail and Sunset on the Highpoint above the End of the Trail – 1/20/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Cliffs and shadows from the Babad Do'ag Trail. January 2016.
Cliffs and shadows from the Babad Do’ag Trail. January 2016.

Close to the highway, not notably long or strenuous and without a dramatic ending the Babad Do'ag Trail is sometimes overlooked – but the short ridge before the end of the trail is a fun section of trail, the sunsets are great and with a bit of extra work and skill there are several off-trail destinations in easy reach – the highpoint just above the end of the trail, Point 4780 east of the trail and the cross-country journey over to Soldier Trail to name a few – certainly all worthy small adventures!

Sunset from highpoint above the end of the Babad Do'ag Trail. January 2016.
Sunset from highpoint above the end of the Babad Do’ag Trail. January 2016.
Just below the highpoint above the end of the Babad Do'ag Trail - front to back: Babad Do'ag Trail, Weather Top, Agua Caliente Hill, Mica Mountain. January 2016.
Just below the highpoint above the end of the Babad Do’ag Trail – front to back: Babad Do’ag Trail, Weather Top, Agua Caliente Hill, Mica Mountain. January 2016.