Arizona Trail Passage 8, Pistol Hill Rd to South of Colossal Cave

Jan 27, 2015; Don, Anni & Suzanne; One way hike 5.8 miles
(Click on a thumbnail to view a larger photo)
Music: Badinerie from "Living Out a Dream" album by Smith & Adams
A1AZT08PistolHillToSOfColossalCaveAnno Location of this hike A2AZT08PistolHillToSOfColossalCaveAnno GPS track (green lihne) superimposed on a topo map A3AZT08PistolHillToSOfColossalCaveAnno GPS track (red line) superimposed on GoogleEarth aerial photos of the area P1030634-HDR Suzanne spotted this ofrenda (alter) to someone's grandma/mother near where we started the hike
IMG 0506-HDR Rincon peak again has a lovely cloud hanging over it as we start our hike IMG 0512-HDR(3) Beautiful Sonoran Desert. IMG 0513-HD+1R The rest of the Rincon mountains also pierce a cloud as they did three weeks ago when we hiked in the vicinity IMG 0516-HDR Anni following along
IMG 0521-HDR(3) Suzanne forging ahead. IMG 0524-HDR(3) Some sort of structure (?) as we approach the picnic area in Colossal Cave County Park. IMG 0527-HDR(3) Another view. IMG 0530-HDR(3) The picnic area
IMG 0533-HDR(3) IMG 0534-HDR IMG 0539-HDR(3) IMG 0542-HDR(3) Observing the Saguaro cactii
IMG 0545-HDR(3) IMG 0548-HDR(3) IMG 0551-HDR(3) We think this is a young crested Saguaro. Normally, Saguaro's have only a single stem with arms growing out of the side of that stem. Here, there are several growths on the top of the stem IMG 0557-HDR(3) A close up of the top of the previous cactus. We'll come back in 50 years to see what develops here.
P1030637-HDR Suzanne spotted these colorful prickly pear cactii. IMG 0563-HDR(3) We first missed this AZT take off out of a wash but came back to find it. IMG 0566-HDR(3) See the valentine pads? IMG 0569-HDR(3) More obvious here.
IMG 0572-HDR(3) This Saguaro must have had a rough childhood, causing disfigurement for life. IMG 0575-HDR(3) IMG 0578-HDR(3) We caught one undressing - not a pretty sight. IMG 0581-HDR(3) Two young models Don spotted on the trail.
IMG 0584-HDR(3) stitch A composite panorama. Notice the lovely skies we had for this hike - courtesy of Anni. Sure glad she is going with us to "The Wave" next week. IMG 0596-HDR(3) IMG 0599-HDR(3) IMG 0602-HDR(3) Another Saguaro with multiple arms at the top of the central stem
IMG 0605-HDR(3) Another of the "Gates of the AZ Trail," this one having Anni as the gatekeeper. IMG 0619-HDR(3) stitch That's part of the La Posta Quemada Ranch, a working ranch, on the left of this composite panorama. About here we decided to take to the wash since we could see Anni's car on the other side.