Hazards of the Desert

Wandering off trail in the desert is rewarding but it also has infinite and painful hazards. These are my two most common injures; falls and Teddy Bear Cholla better known as Jumping Cholla.

The Teddy Bear Cholla, is the nastiest cactus in the Sonoran Desert. It has barbed spines that are painful to remove. The spines are similar to porcupine quills, with shingled overlapping barbs. The barbs catch your muscle fiber, making it difficult to remove them. The purpose of these spines is reproduction. When a person or animal brushes against a cholla, the spines hook into their flesh so effectively it pulls off a chunk of cactus, which is then transported to a new location and can begin growing as new plant. The Teddy Bear Cholla reminds me of my OCD. When it grabs me it sure doesn't want to let go. I must always remain vigilant.

Falling has no purpose. It's only painful and messy. I was out looking for rattlesnakes at the Agua Fria National Monument when I slipped on loose rock and tumbled down into dry wash. Didn't find any snakes, and also got covered in nasty foxtail grass. Those have barbed spines too, and became embedded all over my clothing.

Falling from loose rocks.

Teddy Bear Cholla

Bloody Basin Road - Exit 259, I-17

The higher in elevation I camp, the amount of night flying insects increases. This is my Gloryfire Mosquito Net, and my first product review. I have used this bug net for a year now in the Sonoran Desert. It protects me from mosquitoes, and larger night flying insects while sleeping or just sitting outside. However, gnats and other very tiny insects are able to penetrate the flimsy netting. Ultimately, it tears easily but does protect you from most insects. It costs $21.40, and I wouldn't buy it again.

Camp at 3,300 feet elevation in the semi-desert grasslands.

Watson Lake Loop Trail - Prescott, Arizona

I wanted to escape the desert heat of Phoenix so I headed to Prescott for Memorial Day.  I decided to hike counter clockwise around Watson Lake. It was a 4.5 mile loop hike, and surprisingly harder than what I had imagined. The southern portion is flat and swampy but the real workout begins on the north side of the lake. Lots of up and down with some steep climbs. Even on a holiday I didn't see a lot of people on this trail.

Garfias Wash - Hell's Canyon Wilderness

Hell's Canyon Wilderness spans 9,951 acres of backcountry a few miles northwest of Lake Pleasant and about 25 miles north of Phoenix. The most popular trail and easiest to follow begins at the Spring Valley Trailhead on Castle Hot Springs Road. The trail ends at Garfias Wash but I hiked 1.8 miles up the wash. This area is mostly volcanic rock from the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods with some granite and schist from the underlying Precambrian core. This is a fun and challenging area to explore with very few people around. I saw one person all day. I hiked 9 miles round trip.

Being alone in the wilderness is soothing. It reduces my OCD and depression. I also have type 2 diabetes and my blood sugar is always normal when I go hiking. The mental and physical health benefits are enormous. The wilderness allows me to feel normal and unwind. It's what I look forward to after working at Walmart.

A waterfall of algae.

I brought my tripod with.

My car at the trailhead.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Hell's Canyon Wilderness

While hiking in Garfias Wash at Hells Canyon Wilderness, I heard a quiet rattle and saw this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake about 3 feet in front of me. It then decided to hide from me under this bush. So I sat down 6 feet away and began photographing this beautiful snake. It was a tricky shot, and took several tries. I forget I have OCD when I see these beautiful but dangerous snakes. When photographing rattlesnakes it requires my total concentration. I need to compose a good photograph and remain safe at the same time, and resist the urge to get closer. That pushes the OCD far into the background of my brain. I sat six feet away for this photo.

Black Mountain - Cave Creek, Arizona

This 2.2 mile round trip hike was a physically demanding hike with 1,194 feet of elevation gain.  

The summit.

The view from the summit.

The view from the summit.

The summit.

Cave Creek - Tonto National Forest

I started the trail at the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, and walked into the Tonto National Forest for an 8 mile round trip hike to the petroglyphs along cave creek. It's always so enjoyable to hike this area, because I often don't see many people, and it's so relaxing to just sit for a while in the shade by the creek.

Skull Mesa

Skull Mesa and Cave Creek

Cave Creek

Cave Creek

These are called metates. The Hohokam used a stone to grind seeds and grains here.

Bear Mountain - Sedona, Arizona

Bear Mountain trail is the most beautiful and one the most challenging trails in Sedona, and often not crowded. I started hiking at 3pm, because I wanted to be on the summit at sunset. I was thrilled that there were only two cars in the parking lot.

Bear Mountain

On the summit of Bear Mountain.