the wandering chick
...the Apache Wash Trailhead
another hike in the Sonoran Preserve

The first hike this season for the Pleasant Harbor RV Resort hiking gals lead us back to the sprawling Sonoran Preserve, where last season we had done a couple of outstanding hikes. We were eager to get back on the trails.

Starting at the Apache Wash Trailhead this time, our five-mile loop hike took us quickly onto the Ocotillo Trail . From there we hooked up with the uphill Ridgeback Overlook Trail. Having reached the peak, it was pretty much downhill on the Sidewinder Trail which took us back to the starting point.

We were a group of eight on this hike, and another hike was made at a later date and with a different group of gals.

And yet another hike was done in the spring season of a later year. The pictures (only a few) show a plethora of Mexican poppies and what we think are purple lupine.

group shot
scenic
shedding clothes
Yep. By noon, more of us were wishing we had zip-off pants!
group shot
lunch
dorothy on rock
group shot

Other trails at the Apache Wash Trailhead are the Badger Brawl and the Hawks Nest.

At the Desert Hills Trailhead is the Ocotillo and Sidewinder trails.

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On a return trip to the Apache Wash Trailhead, a slightly different group took the wonderful roughly three-mile Sidewinder Loop Trail. An easy walk among the rolling hills allowed us stunning vistas.
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snake
It's the second week in March, and the snakes are awakening from hibernation. This diamondback rattler was seen in the parking lot of the Apache Wash Trailhead.
snake
snake
snake
wildflowers
A little more rare than the snakes, and probably the prey of snakes is this type of lizard, the horny toad, also called the horned toad. They're quite small and completely harmless.
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horned toad
wildflowers
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wildflowers
the wildflower shots were taken along the Ocotillo Trail.
wildflowers