Wednesday, December 7/2016

Crazy Shower Cats

Today, we are headed "up the mountain" so that should be interesting but first, we had to finish up with breakfast and the cats had to entertain themselves in the shower this morning.  Today, they are crazy shower cats!!

The campsite

Clean and neat and homey

We left the campsite and stopped at the information kiosks and this is where we were told that the upcoming trail was rough, rocky and very steep.  Oh dear......this can not be good.   Already my stress levels were going up and we hadn't even left the staging area!!
Off we went and our trail immediately started to climb which I guess stands to reason since the summit was sitting at roughly 5600 feet!!

Information plaques at the staging area

The trail itself was wide and actually was pretty good,  As far as roughness goes, it was pretty smooth considering the wickedly rough trail we did over the mountain at Alamo Lake.  This trail was a piece of cake compared to that one!!
We slowly wound our way around the various hills and our ascent up the mountain to the summit was fairly gradual.  I was waiting for the "very steep" part and was actually glad that I didn't really come across anything that I would consider "very steep" or scary.  Sure, it was steep, especially as we got closer to the summit but "very steep" never really came into my vocabulary.  The trail was wide and there was plenty of room if one came upon oncoming traffic.  There was a fair amount of shelf trail but much of it had a significant "bank" on it from grading.  I really can't imagine being the grader operator on this particular mountain trail.
We did pull over on the trail at one point to let three other side by sides pass us.  We were not in any hurry so let them pass and they could carry on at their much faster pace.

headed up the trail

starting our ascent

There were several areas where we could look back and see where we had travelled and that was kind of cool.  It was a "we are here and that is where we came from" moment!!  Apparently, there is supposed to be mountain goats in the area but we never seen any.  Eventually all the burro poop fizzled out cause even they didn't see the point of being up this high!!

lots of saguaro on the mountain

Once again - a harsh ecosystem

more trail - more saguaro

We eventually reached the summit and the folks we had allowed to pass earlier were ready for their descent.  Maybe they waited for us to reach the top before heading back down.

Close to the top and looking at the smog

Follow your arrow!!

One small piece of cement on the way to the top

Kermit and the trail

At the summit, there were several plaques telling of the hardships of the scientists that chose to live on the summit over the five years that the observatory was in operation.  Man, I can not imagine living on the top of a mountain now let alone in the 1920s!!   The history of the area was pretty darn cool though and the fact that some of the original buildings still stand is really quite incredible.

the other folks at the summit

Wilderness Area behind this sign.......no doubt there

summit buildings left over from the 1920s

farmland down below

two rows of solar panels power the towers

Today, the summit is still used for telecommunications and is powered by solar panels and a generator.  There are also two huge propane tanks up there and I wonder how on earth they are refilled.  There is no way a propane truck would be able to traverse this mountain trail!!  Perhaps helicopter??

The summit parking lot

We stayed on the summit for probably an hour and thankfully weather wise, it was quite pleasant.  There was a bit of a wind but it certainly was not chilly.
Our descent was unremarkable and we got to enjoy the sights the other way around as they are often different.  It is said that if you want a different view, just turn around!!

Numerous plaques on the summit  - telling of the harsh
realities of living on the summit is the 1920s

Wooden "H" signifying the helipad

The trail switchbacks

miles and miles of harsh, unforgiving environment

Marie, Kay and Henrietta
She climbed to the top like a champ!!

Sunset

We got back to camp in time to head out for another "wood" run for tonight's campfire.  With that being a successful mission, we were able to enjoy the fire, eat supper and take in another incredible sunset.
Tomorrow, we are FINALLY headed to Wickenburg so it is another travel day and the cats will be home for the winter and I will be soaking in the bathtub!!  Life is Good!!

Incredible sunsets

every minute leds to a different sunset