February 5, 2013

Desert Sky

(Massacre Grounds Hike)

When Monte went to sleep last night he exhibiting symptoms of a sinus infection so I wasn’t sure if we would be going on a hike today but I set the alarm just in case he felt better in the morning.   As it turned out he did feel better so we started getting ready.  My daughter Renee picked us up at 9:30 and by the time we drove over to the trailhead and geared up it was 10am.

 

The first thing Monte noticed as I pulled out my camera to take a picture was that he didn’t have his camera.  He searched the inside the car and in the trunk and of course his backpack.  No Camera.

 

 He was worried that he might have put the camera on the roof of the car as we were packing the trunk. 

I tried assuring him that he probably just left it on his desk but, although he didn’t say anything, knowing him the way I do I’m sure he was thinking about his camera the entire hike.

We had planned on doing this hike back on January 12 but ended up taking a different trail.

 

We took the Crosscut Trail on January 12

 

The temperature was only in the 40s

 

 

 

From the parking lot we stepped over a low section of fence and went left towards the sign for the start of the trailhead for Massacre Grounds.

 

 

Legend has it that a group of Apache chased some miners into the area and killed them all taking their horses for food but leaving behind the pans of gold ore scattered on the ground.

 

After a couple of missteps we found the trail thanks to Monte’s handheld GPS.

I think the trail is this way.

 

I'm pretty sure the trail is this way.

 

 

You're both wrong.  Just follow me.

 

 

Renee had a blister from our hike last week.

I gave her a large bandaid from my first aid kit. But because she was sweating it didn't stick.  I suggested putting a piece of paper towel between the blister and her shoe and that did the trick.

 

The first part of the trail is easy.

 

 

  It was warm enough to be in short-sleeves.

 

 

Let's see how far we have come.

 

You okay down there Mom?

 

Just trying to catch my breath!

 

Are we almost there?

 

We've only gone one mile.

 

If we didn't have the GPS we could follow the cairns.

 

Water break.

 

 No getting away from work completely.

Renee speaking to ther boss.

 

Wonderful views

 

 

This looks like a good place to stop for lunch

 

 

       Who could ask for a better view while eating lunch?

 

                                                 

 

You ladies ready to go!

 

After three miles Renee decided she was ready to start back.

I sat with her while Monte explored a little further.

 

That's Monte at the top of the hill.

 

 

While I waited for him to return I took pictures of our spectacular views.

 

 

Renee looking for a signal

&

finding one.

 

 

 

Here comes Monte back from his exploration.

 

He had taken these photos at the bluff.

 

 

We were really exhausted on the walk back.

 

But

 

That didn't stop us from exploring this cave.

 

 

It turned out to be very shallow.

 

 

Renee's shoulders were burned so she put her shirt

 over them to try to prevent the burn from getting worse. 

I see the parking lot!!!

 

 

Air conditioning, oh yeah.

 

 

According to the GPS we hiked almost 6 miles.

 

 

We were all exhausted and knew we were going to be feeling it tomorrow but it had been glorious.  As Renee dropped us off she asked when and where we were going to hike next! 

We searched the entire rig and could not find Monte’s camera.  He called Renee and asked her to search her car again.  No camera.  He was very upset because he had over $600 invested between the camera, extra batteries, and memory card.

Just on the off chance that someone had found the camera and turned it in he walked to the Manager’s site to inquire.  And he is one lucky boy because that is exactly what happened.  He must have either dropped the camera as he was getting into the car or had put it on the roof of the car with it dropping off as we pulled away because it was found in front of our site.  This experience kind of restores my faith in the goodness of man.  It could have turned out so differently.  But Monte learned a valuable lesson and I am sure he is going to be much more careful with his camera in the future.