1st Water - Black Mesa AZ 2014-03-20

This hike was in the hills just east of Mesa.  We got an early-ish start and did miss most of the heat.  A little overcast reduced the direct sunlight.  This is a popular trail head, we hiked on a Thursday and there were about a dozen cars already in the parking lot.  Only I've ever been on where a Ranger was just standing at the trail head.  Was he checking to see if you looked prepared to go into the desert, dogs on leash, or nothing better to do?

Start: 7:57 AM
Finish: 12:22 PM
Miles: 9.4
Moving Avg: 2.7 MPH
Elev Gain: ~ 1,000 Ft

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On the trail

 

Blue was off leash just long enough to get in trouble.  First he tried to sniff noses with a Gila Monster, it seemed more interested in biting Blue's nose.

A little later he stepped on a piece of Cholla cactus like this one.  There isn't anyplace you can grab them and they don't come out easily.  Not five minutes later, he got one stuck on his lip.  End of
off-leash time.

An unnatural rock bridge

Flowers in the desert