I did the 5.4 mile, Maze Loop Trail at Joshua Tree National Park. I was the only one hiking this trail too.
Monday, September 30, 2019
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Joshua Tree National Park - Stubbe Spring Loop Trail
On September 29th, I hiked the 12.8 mile Stubbe Springs Loop Trail. It is located at the Juniper Flats trailhead where there is no sign for the trail, and Joshua Tree National Park does not list this as an official hike. So you get lots of solitude
here. I didn't see anybody for the entire 12.8 miles.
Friday, September 20, 2019
The Devil's Playground - Petrified Forest National Park
On September 18th, I secured a permit for hiking in the Devil's Playground in
the Painted Desert at Petrified Forest National Park. Only 3 permits are
given out each week. At the trailhead, NPS posts provide the direction
for the trek across the desert to the Devil's Playground. Once at the
Devil's Playground there is no formal trail system. You just go where
you want to explore. I did an 8 mile, 5 hour hike. I was the only person
out there too. Loved the solitude.
Hiking off trail is always exciting, with unique challenges, dangers, and added benefits. Foremost, I have to make sure I don't get lost. I always bring a compass, and my Garmin InReach Explorer so I can track my route. If the Garmin fails, I have my compass as backup. Additionally, I always make a mental note of where I have been. The health benefits are enormous too. You get peace and solitude, and finding a route is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. How does my chosen path fit into this big crazy landscape? It's a great cerebral workout of memory, and attention. It also nearly eliminates my OCD that often runs in the background of my mind. Those unwanted distractions are replaced by the challenging terrain and the stark beauty of eroded badlands.
Hiking off trail is always exciting, with unique challenges, dangers, and added benefits. Foremost, I have to make sure I don't get lost. I always bring a compass, and my Garmin InReach Explorer so I can track my route. If the Garmin fails, I have my compass as backup. Additionally, I always make a mental note of where I have been. The health benefits are enormous too. You get peace and solitude, and finding a route is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. How does my chosen path fit into this big crazy landscape? It's a great cerebral workout of memory, and attention. It also nearly eliminates my OCD that often runs in the background of my mind. Those unwanted distractions are replaced by the challenging terrain and the stark beauty of eroded badlands.
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| The route I hiked. |
Sunday, September 15, 2019
The Blue Wash - Tonto National Forest
On September 15th, I did a night hike down the Blue Wash near Cave Creek. Night hikes in the summer always bring an unique perspective to Sonoran Desert, and it's fun to look for scorpions.
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| Stripe Tailed Scorpion |
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