Gold Canyon

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160621

Jeff

NOTE – Keep in mind that we took this hike and these pictures represent the trail as we saw it in December, 2009. The trail may have changed a bit since them and some of the flora may no longer be exactly where we are reporting, but this is a good representation of things you may find along the way. Perhaps you will find even more intriguing highlights.

Of course the large rock formations and mountains will remain largely unchanged.


Interesting rock formations
There are numerous interesting rock formations along the Peralta Trail

The other day we published a picture of a rock formation with a “window” in it (see below for the link), but there are a number of interesting rock formations along the entire Peralta Trail. Just look around as you hike and you will see them. The photo above is one such example. We are leaving the best and perhaps biggest for later posts!

BTW – It always amazes me how the saguaros, and other plants, manage to find a foothold among all of the rocks, boulders and stones.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160620

Jeff

NOTE – Keep in mind that we took this hike and these pictures represent the trail as we saw it in December, 2009. The trail may have changed a bit since them and some of the flora may no longer be exactly where we are reporting, but this is a good representation of things you may find along the way. Perhaps you will find even more intriguing highlights.

Of course the large rock formations and mountains will remain largely unchanged.


More mountains come into view
More mountains come into view

Hiking in the mountains is interesting because the hiker’s view is almost always partial. What I mean by that is that people cannot generally see all the mountains around them at the lower elevations. On the Peralta Trail, this is no different. As we hiked higher and higher, the more distant mountains began to come into view.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160619

Jeff

NOTE – Keep in mind that we took this hike and these pictures represent the trail as we saw it in December, 2009. The trail may have changed a bit since them and some of the flora may no longer be exactly where we are reporting, but this is a good representation of things you may find along the way. Perhaps you will find even more intriguing highlights.

Of course the large rock formations and mountains will remain largely unchanged.


Windows in the rocks
Nature creates unusual and interesting formations

Whenever hiking a trail that is new to me, I enjoy seeing the various rock formations created by nature. Holes in the rock, such as the one pictured above, are often referred to as windows. Wind, sand or dust storms and rain create such holes by pounding away at the weak points in these structures. Over time, the rock, dirt and mud give way and create the interesting holes in the formations.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160618

Jeff

NOTE – Keep in mind that we took this hike and these pictures represent the trail as we saw it in December, 2009. The trail may have changed a bit since them and some of the flora may no longer be exactly where we are reporting, but this is a good representation of things you may find along the way. Perhaps you will find even more intriguing highlights.

Of course the large rock formations and mountains will remain largely unchanged.


Soon the mountains loom
Mountains begin to appear all around

It wasn’t long after we left the trailhead and began our upward trek that the mountains began to rise up around us. The trail was easy to follow and the way was clear. As John Muir notably said: “The mountains are calling and I must go.”

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Saguaro Along the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160606

Jeff

NOTE – Keep in mind that we took this hike (and these pictures represent the trail as we saw it) on December 2, 2009. The trail may have changed a bit since then and some of the flora may no longer be exactly where we are reporting, but this is a good representation of things you may find along the way. Perhaps you will find even more intriguing highlights.

Of course the large rock formations and mountains will remain largely unchanged.


Hands up saguaro
Unusually shaped saguaro along the Peralta Trail

I often take photographs of plants, especially saguaros. that take on human shapes. This saguaro seems as though it is being held up in a robbery and has its hands held high. The fact that the very top of the saguaro is missing might mean that at one time it was hit by lightning.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Part of a series of photographs and descriptions depicting the areas in and around the Peralta Trail located in Gold Canyon, Arizona.

hiking, Arizona, Gold Canyon, Peralta Trail, desert, photographs, rugged, scenery

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160605

Jeff


A signpost along the trail
Soon after starting along the trail, a signpost appears

It isn’t long before the Peralta trail leads hikers upward and toward the rugged mountains and rock formations. The saguaros and native flora are plentiful and provide added interest.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160604

Jeff


A signpost along the trail
Soon after starting along the trail, a signpost appears

Not too far into the trail there is a sign post pointing in one of two directions; left leads to the Peralta Trail while right leads to the Dutchman Trail. We completed this hike in December of 2009 and the sign, as you can see, was fairly weathered then.

Here is a closeup below. Perhaps it has been replaced and is a bit more legible, but there was no problem when you were standing next to it. It doesn’t render well in the photograph.

A nice think about this trail is that it is obvious and easy to follow.


Signpost closeup

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160603

Jeff

Now that I have completed the Year of Yosemite posts, I am going to provide photographs and short posts about other hikes we have enjoyed. Some will be from our adopted home of Arizona while others will be of more far-flung destinations.

The first of this new series is the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ.

“Peralta Trail is a 4.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Gold Canyon, Arizona that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and birding and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.” [ Emphasis by JBRish.com ]

    DISTANCE – 4.9 miles
    ELEVATION GAIN – 1354 feet
    ROUTE TYPE – Out & Back

Above information gathered from the All Trails website. Visit the link for more detailed information – Peralta Trail.


The Peralta Trail Trailhead
The Peralta Trail Trailhead

The terrain around the Peralta trail is rugged and there are areas which may required boulder scrambling.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.


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JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.