Monday, December 5/2016

In the wash - trying to keep out of the dust

OMG....We actually found The Hidden Red Rock Canyon today!!  Holy Buckets, it has taken us three days but we did find it!!  We started out from camp, crossed the wash then hit the main road which took us to Love's Camp.  We then continued along the main road and eventually, hung a right off the trail and entered the canyon.
I guess what strikes you first,  is the color.  It is rather breathtaking and I am sure one never would get tired of looking at it.  The canyon walls rise far above you on both sides and you are immediately cocooned by them.  It is you and the rocks and that feeling is quite intimidating.  One definitely would not want to be in this tight area during a rain storm as the smooth surface of the rock is testament to the erosion from the water that flows through this canyon during a storm.  Of course when you ride in this area, you know to stay clear of the canyons due to the ever present dangers from flash floods.  John and I have ridden in many flash flood areas throughout Utah and Arizona and have actually seen the torrents of water that flow in the Hassayampa River through Wickenburg and in Bo Canyon and it is something that you definitely want to avoid.  It is life threatening and very scary.
Red Rock Canyon is only a couple miles long but it is well worth the trip.  It is something that sits "hidden" in amongst the many washes and saguaros and really, if one did not know that it was there, it would be easily missed.

incredible sand

Up against the cliffs

inside Hidden Red Rock Canyon

Some tight squeezes

Henrietta in the canyon

Once we drove through the canyon, we accessed the main road again and headed back towards the Lake.  We wanted to get down to the edge and just sit and enjoy the water.   We had been down to the edge of the water about 3 years ago and we remembered it as being quite soothing.

Dead end

Path big enough for one vehicle

Dwarfed by the canyon walls

Beverage Time

Face in the rocks

We travelled for a few miles before finding the turn off and headed into the Rawhide Mountain Wilderness Area.  This would take us to the lake's edge.

Rawhide Mountains

We passed several tall saguaro cactus and palo verde trees along the way.  It reminded me of a saguaro forest as there were so many and it was a real nice ride.  Really, I still don't see how anyone could be bored driving through this environment.  It is an ecosystem unto itself and the will to survive is present in all the flora and fauna,  This harsh environment shows no mercy.

Saguaro Country

John and Kay beside Lake Alamo

Eventually we got to the lake and spent some quiet time there.   It truly is a birdwatcher's paradise as the variety on water birds on the lake was immediately apparent.  There were a few variety of ducks and of course the mudhens and we actually scared a heron when we first arrived and he flew off into the sky leaving us far behind.

Egret at the edge of the water

As we sat, a hawk soared quietly across the water and landed on the far side of the little bay we were sitting at and then, we were blessed by a beautiful white egret who landed and entertained us for quite a while.  It walked along the shore line in search of food and doing its "egret" thing!!

Wild Burros

It was soon time to head home and once again, we were blessed to see a small herd of burro.  They were not too afraid and stood long enough for me to take their pictures.
It really is something to see these "survivors" of this harsh environment but they do come with much controversy.  They are not a native species and therefore should really not be here.   They were introduced to the area through the miners.  When the mines fizzled out, the miners had no further use for them and simply let their donkeys go to wander in desert and meet whatever end that was to come.  Unfortunately (or some would say, fortunately) the donkeys survived and that has lead to the current issues with the Arizona burros.   There is an estimated 5000 plus burros in the state of Arizona and apparently the state can only support 1200 or so.  They are reeking havoc on the grasses and other vegetation in this fragile environment and actually making survival for the native species near impossible.  It is quite an issue and one that is not easily solved,  There is as many people supporting a much needed cull as there are people wanting to "save the burros".  Unfortunately, if something is not done soon, the food sources will run out for both the native species and the burros and that will lead to mass starvation.  A tragedy all the way around.  Hopefully the issues will be addressed before this happens.

Sunset

We got back to camp in good time and sat around the fire while John cooked supper and we got to enjoy a final Alamo Lake sunset.  Tomorrow, we are headed out.  Time to move and seek more adventure.    Life is Good (and I am getting closer to my bath tub)!!