February 16. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, Arizona

February 15, 2012

Our ride on the Martinez Cabin trail was filled with surprises.  The trail was a memorable drive through stark rocky canyons and beautiful Senoran desert.

As we went through Box Canyon, a desert big horn sheep greeted us from high on the canyon ridge.  This majestic ram was very curious and seemed to watch us and we watched him.

We also leap-frogged a group of horseback riders along the same trail.  This”cowboy” didn’t mind posing for a second and then it was off clippity clop down the rocky trail.

At the end of the trail is the abandoned mining mill.  The final 1/2 mile is a safer hike than ride although I did enjoy my adventure in the red jeep.

The canyon had many old cottonwoods with new spring leafs.  It is always a pleasure in the desert to find water and shade from trees.  We enjoyed our lunch in the shade along a running creek.

Posted in Arizona | Print | No Comments »

February 8. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, AZ

February 8, 2012

We took a slow tour to Box Canyon today.  It is a unique and scenic jeep drive through a narrow, steep-walled canyon.

As the trail winds through box canyon, the view is just amazing and ever changing.  The rocks are covered with a chartreuse moss that is unique.  Although we looked for big horn sheep, we did not spot any today.

Posted in Arizona | Print | No Comments »

February 6. 2012 by Merilee.

Lost Dutchman State Park

February 6, 2012

On a perfect day for a hike, we took the Treasure Loop trail to the shadow of the Superstitions in the Lost Dutchman State Park.  The trail is a gem at 2.4 miles of 360 degree landscape beauty.

the trail head:

Posted in Arizona | Print | No Comments »

January 23. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, AZ

January 23, 2012

Our jeep group took a trail ride on BLM land on a trail called Elvis .  I call it the rock ‘n roll trail.  The pics are of the Squeeze and the Waterfall.

an obstacle on Elvis for extra credit.

The waterfall on Elvis.

Here is a view of the lower part of the Roller Coaster trail that we explored after lunch.

Looking south from the top of Roller Coaster.

Posted in Arizona | Print | No Comments »

January 19. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, Arizona

January 18, 2012

Our group did some hard core rock crawling up the lower ajax trail.  The rating was difficult  with large boulders and narrow passages.

Posted in Arizona | Print | No Comments »

January 11. 2012 by Merilee.

January 10, 2012

Florence Junction, AZ

We explored two difficult trails southeast of Florence Junction, AZ and northeast of Florence.  The “Jack Handle” trail was highlighted by the squeeze through the obstacle nicknamed Jack’s Crack.  It appeared to be solid rock and is barely wide enough to squeeze through. It was a short, narrow canyon with little room to maneuver with many rock obstacles.

Our second trail on Ajax had a tough obstacle as Jayne demonstrated how it is done.  The trail followed a rocky creek bottom with large boulders and narrow passages.

While both trails took us through some rocky washes and stream beds we also rode the high ridges.  This is  a shot of the group as we brought up the rear descending the high ridge after a restful lunch with a panoramic view

Posted in Arizona | Print | No Comments »