February 27th. Wandering Around in the Desert

Today's sun got our feet feeling like they wanted to move. There are several hiking trails in and around Fountain Hills and the Ft. McDowell county park. The one we went to is called The Dixie Mine Trail. It goes 5 1/2 miles round trip to the old mine at the foot of the mountains. The trail head is in a subdivision right in town.

The road to the trail.

Good signage leading to the trail head.

There is a short walk through the "burbs" to get started. Things are starting to show signs of Spring.

There are several lots still for sale.

It almost looks like a lawn. There is so much more green than I ever expected.

Had to pay 2 bucks. Seems fair since they might have to come find us.

More green carpet on the desert floor. There is even moss like stuff growing on the rock!

We're looking east, you're looking west.
I even remembered my birding scope :-)

We're looking west, you're looking east. Beauty all around.

Hard to see but there are little yellow flowers growing on the bank.

King Queen of the hill

King of the ditch.

The hiking stick is gaining color with shields from parks we've visited. 

The hood we were in was quite the slum.

Soon there will be huge flower groups.

The Cholla cactus are bursting.

At the start of the trail there's a nice building with restrooms.

Pretty nice outhouse.

Quite the variety of cacti all around.

And then back down the hill to home. The sign said 18% grade.

Nice day in the desert. We have seen more cool days than we would have expected but it's real hard to complain about 65 degrees in the sun. The weather dude says 80's this weekend.