Chiricahua National MonumentChiricahua is an area of volcanic rock that was uplifted causing vertical colmnar fragmentation. Erosion of the softer layers has caused unique reshaping of the columns. Some of the columns have eroded to the extent that big rock is left balancing on the top of the column, and some of the erosion gives the impression of facial or animal features. The raised rock area is known as a "Sky Island". There is no water around to make it a true island, but is sits out as a standalone mountain in the sea of surrounding desert. At a couple of places on the Heart of Rocks trail the surrounding desert was a vivid yellow and red flat contrast to the rocks and blue sky.
At the end of the day's hiking I wandered around Masai Point in the very windy cold for the sunset. It was so cold that the batteries in my camera registered as dead, a new set lasted only a couple of photos before also showing as empty. I was judicious with the camera, keeping it warm inside my jacket between photos and managed to squeeze off a few last shots.
Saguaro National Park is a Sonoran Desert landscape dominated by the uniquely recognizable Saguaro cactus.
PicachoFinal stop for this trip is a Hohokam petroglyph site not far from Picacho Peak State Park. The Petroglyphs are scattered over a large heap of boulders which involved scrambling around and over the rocks to get to the pictures. It was a very pleasant afternoon, and after climbing around a while I just found a comfortable rock to plant myself on and enjoy the late afternoon sunshine.
After enjoying the sunshine for a while I packed up the car and drove back to Phoenix, with one last stop for a picture of the moonrise over the Saguaros.View photos in my Picasa album
