photographs

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160625

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.


Approaching the saddle
A view from close to the saddle near the top of the Peralta Trail

As hikers continue to climb, it pays to look back “down” the trail. In some cases, hikers may find that the best views are behind them. This photo was taken as we began to approach the part of trail leading to the saddle, but looking back toward the trailhead.

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 – 20160624

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.


Large rock formation along the Peralta Trail
As we ascended the trail, we passed this intricate rock formation

This rock formation reminds me a bit of a human riding an animal. Imagine the person closest to the left side of the frame seen from the back sitting upright. The lower rocks “create” the representation of the animal which appears to be moving away from the viewer.

The scope of the formation can be gauged when compared in size to the surrounding saguaros. Generally speaking, saguaros don’t start to grow additional arms until after they are forty or fifty years old.

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 – 20160623

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.


Saguaros greet hikers along the trail
Saguaros greet hikers along the Peralta Trail

As in most areas where hikers might want to trek in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, there are a significant number of saguaros along the Peralta Trail and they appear in clusters as well as individual specimens.

They seem to “greet” hikers as they ascend the trail to the saddle or beyond. Also notice the interesting shadow play of the saguaro in the foreground.

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 – 20160622

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.


Hikers along the Peralta Trail
Hikers along the Peralta Trail

As you can see, this was a beautiful December day for hiking. One thing to note, however, is during the winter when the sun goes down, the desert has a tendency to cool off very quickly; bring appropriate clothing.

The picture above provides some insight into what hikers might find along the trail. Notice that there is some boulder scrambling and stepping on rocky surfaces.

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 – 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.