First Steps in the First Wilderness Part 7: Early September
Monday, September 9th, 2019: Hikes, Holt, Mogollon Mountains, Southwest New Mexico.
Pretty good monsoon rains so far; weather cool from previous day’s storm. Vegetation in the canyons even thicker, obscuring the trail in many places. This was a recovery hike for me, gradually recovering capacity after yet another chronic pain setback. Hiking out, I ran into a couple in their 70s who were planning to camp at the spring near the top of the mountain and explore the back country during the next couple of days.
Redtail hawk soars over the start of the trail
Arizona sister butterfly showing pattern on underside of wing
Bumper crop of rose hips
Tiny flower
Trail disappearing under monsoon jungle in canyon bottom
These Steller’s jays were squawking at me everywhere
This butterfly landed on the heel of my boot
Resting on the partially collapsed roof of the abandoned springhouse
Filling my water jug with pure spring water
Tiny chipmunk
Gathering Arizona walnuts; tree in background
Dipping my hat in the stream to cool off my head!
Big spiny lizard
I thought these small trees beside the trail were walnut seedlings until I saw these little fruits; it turns out they are a “smooth sumac”