Davidson Canyon/Arizona Trail

                    I really enjoy Exploring in all senses of the word.  As my family and I drive around the area---I enjoy pointing out local places that I have hiked.  Mostly around our humble home in Benson.  I must say all of this is much more exciting for me than for anyone else in my family.  Many of these areas I have talked about in past picture filled posts.   Today a new one that led to an great even more hike filled discovery for me.  For more Exploring please check out my first blog page at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com   
   Last Monday I had a very needed day off work---with the holidaze and all it has been extra busy-and it was a nice 65 outside!  That soon changed to snow and ice --a huge rarity in Arizona, but that is in stories to come.  I have many posts in the works--from our recent trip to Mt Lemmon to play in the snow, to our trip further down the road to Lego Land, California.   Many to come, all picture filled!   Thank you for being patient.  

       At least five days a week for work and such I drive past this area, and always say to myself that I should add the Exploring to my list.   On this day I drove just past the highway sign, around the bend, and parked on the gravel road.  

Like many of my hikes, I might or might not soon have been on private property.

The other side of this abandoned road took me right into the canyon.

Old metal -near a fence I just needed to get a shot of.

The hugely varied amount of vegetation found in the desert always amazes me. 

I try to add new pictures and forms in each blog post. 

In the Benson area, one is never very far from rail road tracks and trains.

The start of today's journey is about 20 miles out of Benson, heading towards Tucson.

One of the largest cactus I have found. 

Closer up view.

I was soon surrounded by mountain ranges. 

This one, far in the distance  begs to be hiked on a later date.  

Near the start of my hike with I-10 in the background.

Ready to head into the dry river bed--This shiny marker quickly caught my eye.

This long abandoned traffic cone caught my eye also.

Huge house in the distance that seems to me, to need a new owner. 

Every time I feel I am in a place few have been before me---I find stacked rocks

a silent reminder that many have been here before me and will be along the dusty trail after I am gone.   I used to find these along the bay in Bellingham, Washington ALL the time. 

Back in the canyon.

Just beyond the large rock above this small oasis. 

Complete with running water.

I started this Exploring rather late in the afternoon--and did not wish to try and find our car in the dark.  So I soon ventured up the canyon walls.

Where I was soon greeted by a perfectly groomed trail system.  

That led to a trail head complete with parking area. 

I was not aware that the famous Arizona Trail came so close to our home.  

And now have a great starting point for several Exploring adventures to come.

You are here   Thanks REI!

This trail gave me a flat and quick route back to our car. 

I tried to locate the car and snap some sunset pictures. 

But on this day the sunset just was not that spectacular. 

Although the setting sun shadows on the surrounding mountains was a sight.

This turned into a great day for sure. 

With the chance for many more hikes--just in this area.  

Much more Exploring and pictures on my Washington state blog page

http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/

And my first blog page  www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

Please check them out.

As always

**HAPPY TRIALS!!**

Take A Little Trip.

       I am still in California taking lots of pictures for a post or two from outside of amazing Arizona.  Yesterday and today a rare treat-- no really, we saw cloudy skies and rain.  After months in the desert both are a very welcome sight!  In today's post Butch, the boys, and I Explore just past the caves in Benson, on the highway that leads to Sierra Vista.  We had originally intended to hike to the top of the below pictured mountain, but after a lot of traveling and even more heat, we did not appear to be any closer to the great hill.   Another challenge for another day.   After the caves look for the above turn.  This is all state trust land so a pass is needed to use the area.  We did not pull our truck into the area, so we did not need a pass.  At least for the day, this logic worked for us.  Border Patrol units patrol the area all of the time, so this luck may not hold true for you.  Butch definitely did not like the cattle guard and we had to convince him to cross through the fence.  

 This mountain and the view that must present itself from the top is beyond inviting.  But for the time being, it is still another spot on my ever growing check list of places to Explore.  

                             As in much of Arizona -mountains circle the whole area. 

These jet streams mark the spot for a great hike.  

Several dirt roads go through the area.  

On the way back down, I decided it was easier to jog back to the truck. 

If not tiring. 

Since our oldest could not get out of this picture

he embraced the moment. 

Although he learned  that even with his eyes closed tight  we could still see him.

Mr Butch points out the way!

Some off trail action. 

Because of the early very warm weather

I warn all readers to keep an extra eye out for snakes already.

Many have been spotted in the Tucson area with the snakes and hikers thinking it is already spring.  The one thing that scares me the most is snakes of any kind, 

so this is not welcome news to me. 

Even from a distance  this mountain makes for a good picture.

After we ran into a few fences we decided it was time to journey into the river run off. 

The travailing was easier and much of it was shaded. 

We used to find such rock sightings all of the time in Bellingham, Washington

and it is nice to see them here in Arizona also. 

If nothing else it is a small reminder that others have also been were you are standing. 

Many a place we Explore, we never actually see other hikers.  

Although temperatures only reached about 80 on this day, by the time we were

returning to the truck -we were rather warm.

Above is my last shot for the day 

and for this post.  

For more Exploring and random randomness please check out my first blog series

at:

www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

Also if you find the need to comment on anything I post Please check out MY Facebook page

it really does have some of everything. 

And is were I post my pictures and such first

Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head

      As Always

                    **HAPPY TRAILS!!**