The Rest Of The Trail

The rest of the story about my short jaunt on the Arizona Trail wasn't as exciting as the first half, but it did have it's high points.  This creek for instance.  Who knew there was an actual creek with water running through it in the desert.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Until I noticed there was no way to CROSS said creek without getting wet.  I followed along the edge looking for a narrow spot when AHA!!  I spotted a log.  When was the last time you tried to walk across a wobbly log?  My balance suddenly left me.

Not wanting to turn around, I gingerly stepped on the end.  I didn't care if my feet got wet, I just didn't want to fall and get my CAMERA wet.  I inched across sideways till I got far enough to jump.  YAY!!  I made it and continued on, trying to figure out where the trail went.  There were no paths and no markers.

While I hoped to find some wildlife around the creek, none showed their hand.  Other than the butterfly, the only live thing I spotted was this tiny wildflower.  I guess it's still a little too cold in this area for blooms.

After arriving at the first trestle and spotting the bundled up weird hiker holding his walking sticks sideways in front of him, meaning he probably wasn't a hiker, I hotfooted it back towards the car.  I really didn't want to be going the same direction as he was.  I'll photograph the second trestle next time.

Back across the creek on the log, I wasn't so lucky the second time.  I got one foot wet as I teetered across.  Up the steep hill I headed, stopping occasionally to listen for some sign of critters.  Truthfully, I was catching my breath.  

At least going back UP the hill there were trail markers.  

That's when I saw THIS in the mud.  My first thought was dog ... a really BIG dog.  My phone is 6 inches long.  Then it dawned on me the track was going ACROSS the trail and not UP the trail.  Maybe it was a cougar print?  I've no idea, but I could tell it wasn't fresh.  I looked all around, but saw no other tracks on the hard rocky surface.  

Okay then ..... back at the Jeep I thought I might follow the road just a little further to see where it went.  Not a mile along, I found it.  A gorgeous Cienega Creek Preserve sign.  Perfect for critter watching, even if I didn't see any.

What I DID see was the darn railroad trestle.  Are you kidding me?  I could have driven  right up to it?  I didn't have to walk a mile in soft sand, getting scared by another hiker and finding nothing to photograph?  I took a picture out the window.  Next time I'll start my hike from there!!

I'm not deterred.  I'll be even more prepared for what I might run in to, and maybe I'll find a more frequently traveled trail.  

It's still early since spring hasn't sprung yet and I've had a few more visitors to my hummingbird feeder.  Someone I didn't expect at all.  I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.