Stewart Pocket - Payson, Arizona

My 7.1 mile loop hike at the Stewart Pocket in Payson, located in the Granite Dells. It was nice to get out of the Valley heat. High of 82 degrees in Payson, which was about 20 degrees cooler than the Valley. Stewart Pocket is nestled in what is called the Pinyon pine/Juniper Woodland, a biotic community existing between 4,000'-7,300'.

My route.

Barnhardt Road Campsite - Rye, Arizona

Last night, I camped off Barnhardt Road in the Tonto National Forest near the town of Rye, right off the Beeline Highway. Low 60s at night, and that was nice. I needed to get out of the Valley heat. I was relieved to discover that this area had not burned in the recent fire.

Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion

I went hunting for scorpions last night near Vulture Peak in Wickenburg. This is one of my favorite pastimes on warm summer nights in the Sonoran Desert. There were small scorpions everywhere, but I was on the look out for the elusive Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion. I found this one after about an hour of searching, and getting lost in the desert. Fortunately, I had my cell phone with me and I could see my location, and that I had hiked right past the dirt road leading to my campsite. I was wearing a headlamp and when I looked around I saw the illuminated glowing eyes of about a half dozen coyotes watching me wandering about. I found the dirt road quickly and headed back to camp and then went out exploring again. That's when I found this beauty.

I catch them and take photos, and then release them. They really hate that.

New River Rd. Campsite, Arizona

My new cot. It's too hot now to sleep in my Honda CRV. Just got to make sure my blanket doesn't touch the ground, because there is one striped tail scorpion in my site every night. I like having the scorpion around to watch, but I don't want it in my bed. It's like having a bedroom again. I like all this room, and able to look up at the stars at night. 

After two nights I am very comfortable under the stars. I love looking up at the night sky and across the desert. This Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe Camp Cot with sleeping pad is very satisfying. My car is also positioned to provide me shade in the morning.

Brins Mesa - Sedona, Arizona

I did a 7.4 mile loop trail from Jordan Rd. Trailhead going clockwise. I followed the Cibola Trail to Soldiers Pass, and then up to Brins Mesa to the Brins Mesa Overlook, and back down to my car.

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole

Brins Mesa

Brins Mesa

Brins Mesa

Brins Mesa

Brins Mesa Overlook

Brins Mesa Overlook

Me on Brins Mesa Overlook

Brins Mesa Overlook

Brins Mesa Overlook

Brins Mesa Overlook

My route.

Greater Short-Horned Lizard - Woodchute Trail

I always see a lot of horned lizards on this trail. They are slow, and easy to photograph. I found this one in the Prescott National Forest.

California Kingsnake - Agua Fria National Monument

This is a California Kingsnake. The kingsnake has been found in deserts, riparian areas, woodlands, forests, and farmland from sea level to 7000 feet. Active in early morning and late afternoon when the weather is mild, the common kingsnake becomes nocturnal with the onset of extreme heat in summer.

It's always a great day when I see a snake. They are so challenging to photograph that I forget about my OCD and depression.  Unfortunately, they always try to get away from me so I pick them up for a photo, unless they are venomous.

Hangover Trail - Sedona, Arizona

I hiked the Munds Wagon, Hangover, and Cow Pies Trails for an 8 mile loop. The Hangover Trail traverses the spectacular Mitten Ridge.