Agent 54 here again. My buddy Howard and I enjoy hiking in the San Tan Mountain Regional Park of Arizona, USA. I' very thankful that my left knee has healed so well that I can make these hikes again. I put in a lot of hours of doing therapy exercises to be able to do this.
Standing at the top of the Goldmine Trail on Goldmine Mountain in the park.
This was way up there.
You can see 4 Peaks and the Superstition Mountains, looking past the valley, through the haze.
Looking the other way towards Phoenix. Too much haze to really see the city.
Looking across the valley to the highest peaks of the San Tan Mountain.
We tracked back down to the San Tan and Moonlight Trails to circle the valley.
Looking back at the Goldmine Trail from across the valley.
A southside hill. Checkout the park at this site: San Tan Mountain Regional Park
This photo is from the park website.
We hiked the Malpais Trail from the Rock Peak Wash trailhead today (12/1/2018). This is the Rock Peak from the parking lot.
Rock Peak from the wash.
Clouds came out a little thicker making Rock Peak and two other peaks look a little ominous.
The Malpais Hills
The Malpais Hills have huge shear cliffs.
Looking East at Rock Peak and Malpais Hills from the valley on the Malpais Trail. We had a rare cool and clouding day in Arizona. Perfect for hiking.
There was a lot of rain in October and the desert is very green right now.
Agent 54 found a great natural lookout point in front of the shear cliffs of the Malpais Hills.
Howard at our Malpais Trail lunch spot. Don't let the hat fool you, Agent 54 was not turned into a block of stone.
At a crossroads and heading home.
Howard said we hiked 7.6 miles in 4 hours today. Time flew by. It was a terrific day.
Howard and I did another hike of the San Tan Trail on 12/28/18. It was a cool but, sunny day.
How old is this Petroglyph?
You can see the very steep side of Picacho Peak in the far hazy distance.
Looking back across a Saguaro forest valley, you can see Camelback Mtn. in the distance.
We hiked the Malpais Trail from the Rock Peak Wash trailhead today (12/1/2018). This is the Rock Peak from the parking lot.
Rock Peak from the wash.
Clouds came out a little thicker making Rock Peak and two other peaks look a little ominous.
The Malpais Hills
The Malpais Hills have huge shear cliffs.
Looking East at Rock Peak and Malpais Hills from the valley on the Malpais Trail. We had a rare cool and clouding day in Arizona. Perfect for hiking.
There was a lot of rain in October and the desert is very green right now.
Agent 54 found a great natural lookout point in front of the shear cliffs of the Malpais Hills.
Howard at our Malpais Trail lunch spot. Don't let the hat fool you, Agent 54 was not turned into a block of stone.
At a crossroads and heading home.
Howard said we hiked 7.6 miles in 4 hours today. Time flew by. It was a terrific day.
Howard and I did another hike of the San Tan Trail on 12/28/18. It was a cool but, sunny day.
How old is this Petroglyph?
You can see the very steep side of Picacho Peak in the far hazy distance.
Looking back across a Saguaro forest valley, you can see Camelback Mtn. in the distance.
It looks like a wonderful place, i'm glad you were able to go. Congratulations on doing all the hard work to get there!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's been a long time. Now I want to hike every mountain I see. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteLooks like you gave that knee one heck of a test.
ReplyDeleteHoward said it was over 6 miles and we gained about 600 ft of elevation. Not too bad. We're building up for a run at Picacho Peak. Thanks for playing.
DeleteWhat a view! You were really out in the middle of nowhere. No sights like that in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteYes, some places in the park look untouched by man. Thanks for playing.
DeleteYou sure did make it way up there, bravo! Those views are amazing! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteThanks for allowing me to share on the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. When I'm on top of the mountain, even my healed knee is shaking but, at least I look brave. Ha ha ha.
DeleteWOW! Spectacular views! Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the pics. I feel so good after hiking. Thanks for visiting.
Deletewell done you and well done to your knee :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's so great and refreshing for my spirit to be able to get out and hike in nature. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGreat shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/12/gangly-and-gorgeous-blue-heron.html
Thank you for allowing me to share.
DeleteI'm huffing and puffing just imagining that climb.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/12/king-of-mountain-kitty-style.html
It was challenging. Thanks for allowing me to share.
Delete