Massacre Trail Hike

One of the last days of Greg's winter vacation

we decided to hike Massacre Trail.

This trail has slightly more elevation change than

the San Tan trail we did recently,

so it was a good challenge for my healing ankle.

Some visitors were riding horses and saying Arizona words wrong

(like "suh-jar-o" instead of "suh-wahr-o" for saguaro, a cactus).

They were also talking very loudly, which annoyed me because

one of the things I like most about being out in nature is LESS NOISE.

Here is a cute little cairn.

This is what a cholla ("CHOY-uh") cactus looks like after it has died.

They are pretty and lacy.

Here's a living cholla.

Here is a saguaro after he has passed on.

They have cool-looking bones.

The peaks with the snow on them are called Four Peaks.

They are always my reference points when I'm hiking in the area.

Here's an ocotillo ("ock-uh-TEE-o").

They look like dead spiky sticks most of the year,

but in the spring, they grow brilliant green leaves and develop bright orange tips.

It was a beautiful day!