Respite from the rain

1/28/08

After almost two days and nights, it's finally stopped raining, although it looks like there might still be more to come. During the lull, we took a ride to check out the areas around Roosevelt Lake to see the rising water levels and flooded washes. The desert puts on quite a show during a storm, the colors are intensified by the mixture of sun and clouds, adding a new dimension to an already spectacular landscape.

We took these shots, hope you all enjoy them!

Reynolds Creek Snowfall

1/26/08

We returned to Reynolds Creek with Larry this morning. We were surprised to see that it had snowed since we were there last week, so much so, there appeared to be about five or six inches on the trail. We tried another road off of FR 410, but eventually we were turned back by the snow. We probably could have made it to the top where the trail ends at the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, but we figured we might be pushing our luck for no reason...we can always return once the snow melts. This will be a great spot to return to, even during the summer, the temperatures up in the higher elevations would probably be a welcome relief from the desert's blistering heat. The Gila County mine map shows quite a few old, abandoned Uranium, Asbestos and Barium mines in the area, so I'm sure we'll be going back and scout them out as well.

It was a great ride, beautiful weather, cold air, no wind and as always, the scent of the pristine pine forest was invigorating.

Reynolds Creek, FR410

1/21/08

We've been using our wood stove every day and our wood stockpile is getting low, so we headed out this morning to the high country to see if we could find some fallen trees. We could feel the temperature dropping as we headed up into the higher elevations. There was still quite a bit of snow in the mountains, a nice change of scenery for us desert dwellers. We didn't have any trouble finding wood, so after filling the back of the Jeep, we decided to check out a road we'd seen on previous trips. FR410 runs alongside Reynolds Creek from the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, ending at its final destination, Roosevelt Lake. It's a lovely area, tall pines, enormous Holly trees, and majestic Sycamores growing along the creek. We forded a few small creeks but decided since we didn't have much time, that we'd wait until Jean & Larry could go with us before crossing a larger creek and heading up the mountain.

It was a great ride, scenic and peaceful...Ahhhh....now it's time for a hot lunch and maybe even a nap.

 

Canyon Lake Lowered

1/13/08

We took the Jeeps down the Apache Trail this morning with Larry and his ever-faithful pooch Ida. Jean's back in Tucson feeling a bit under the weather...get well soon Jean, we miss you!

Canyon Lake is one of a series of lakes within the Salt River Project along with Roosevelt Lake and Apache Lake, all located along the Apache Trail. We'd read they were lowering Canyon Lake to perform maintenance on the Mormon Flat Dam, so we thought we'd take a look. It's quite a sight to see. Normally the lake is full and loaded with boats. All the boats are dry-docked for now,  including the little scenic steamer the Dolly. If you're ever in the area, a ride on the Dolly is a must do. Ralph & I have done it before, it's a lovely trip on Canyon Lake with a well informed crew pointing out the highlights along the way.

We stopped for lunch at Tortilla Flat, a neat place, once an old stage coach stop along the Apache Trail, it now attracts visitors from all over the world to sample their killer chili. (Take TUMS if you plan to continue your trip along the trail)

  

On the way back we spotted a Red-Tail Hawk in the rocks along side of the road, trying to make a meal from a noncooperative squirrel. We cheered as the squirrel got away, but he looked a little worse for wear, leaving us to wonder if the hawk returned to reclaim his lunch. There are so many squirrels in the area, we call them Nature's Nachos.

 

As always, it was a nice run, in beautiful Arizona winter weather.  

 

                         Mormon Flat Dam, Built 1923-1925

                           224 Feet High - 380 Feet Long  

 

                             

                                             (SRP Photo)

Rain rain went away...finally!

 1/9/08

It's rained here for a few days, finally stopping yesterday. Needless to say we're getting cabin fever so we headed out this morning for a short Jeep run. We've spotted a road on previous trips up Hwy. 288, Desert to Tall Pines Scenic Highway. There's a small pull off and almost hidden from roadside view, there's a closed and locked Forest Service gate, so we parked the Jeep and hiked in. We've been curious to see what was out there. It's a beautifully scenic area with tall mountains and peaks rising high from the pine forest floor. We were surprised to find a load of cabins and structures as well as a former office of the Forest Service hidden back in the woods. It appears to have been used at one time to house Forest Rangers and possibly firefighters who might come to the area to fight local forest fires. There were several cabins, a couple set up as bunkhouses and a few for individual families. There was also a mess hall with a large kitchen and giant stove, it looked like a lot of people had been fed there at one time. There is also a large building that was once used as a shop, bins and work benches are still in place. It's a choice location with Parker Creek flowing down through it in a series of lovely waterfalls. We could see some ancient Indian Cliff dwellings high up on a mountain peak, but you'd have to be a mountain goat to make the climb up to them.

Hopefully, with the 60º temperatures and cool breezes, the trails will dry out soon so we can get back into some serious Jeeping. Meanwhile, today was very nice.

It's hard to describe the scent of the crisp, invigorating, pine scented, mountain air, I wish we could bottle some and share it with all of you.

Animal Encounters of The Close Kind

1/4/08

We had a visit just a little while ago from a herd of Javelinas, we counted eleven in all. They're pretty skittish, but we were able to snap a few pictures of them before they took off running. As much as we hate to see our hybrid prickly pears being eaten by marauding wild pigs, we have to admit, the babies sure are cute. We've had them visit before, but never this many at one time.  

Life in the boondocks isn't boring, particularly if you enjoy Mother Nature's surprises as much as we do.

Here's some more information about Javelinas. (click your "back" button to return to this journal)

Living With Javelina

Desert Loop Trail