Hieroglyphic Trail

On Thursday afternoon we decided to go on a hike on the Hieroglyphic trail.  My main concern, which was realized, was if there would be room in the parking lot.  It was full.  Ended up going back to the RV Park, ditched our packs and camera and headed across the highway for a walk through the residential developments.  We actually found a nice little trail between two of the developments.

Friday we left the trailer a little after 8:00 and were rewarded with an almost empty parking lot at the trailhead.  The Hieroglyphic Trail is about 3 miles out and back and is a nice easy hike.  The trail is wide and well travelled with an elevation change of about 600 ft.  At the end of the trail you are rewarded with a short climb up some rocks to the site of the Petroglyphs as well as a small stream and a few pools of water.   Often there is a large collection of people so getting pictures without other hikers milling about can be difficult.  We were there early enough so the collection of humans was relatively small.  On our hike back it was almost like we were going the wrong way on a one way road.  The hoards had arrived.

The sun finally came out making it a nice comfortable day for a hike. 

Once at the top I left Lori and Charli behind as I scrambled
over the rocks looking for a better perspective.
Charli tried to keep me in view.

A view back down the canyon.  The small town of Gold Canyon below
 with the haze from Phoenix drifting across the valley.

A look up the canyon.  Sure a lot prettier shooting up the canyon with the clear blue skies rather than down into the valley through the smoggy haze. 

The recent rains have resulted in a few pools of water.

Wonder if the Petroglyphs will survive all the tourists

The small stream coming down the canyon

A couple of small waterfalls

A softer look with a slower shutter speed. 

My girls patiently awaiting my return.  I'm a very lucky guy. 

We only have a few days left at Gold Canyon and then its off to California.  We are hoping for a little better weather in January as December has been kind of wet for a desert. Still, we much prefer a little rain than the snow, wind and cold that they have been getting at home.

Talk to you again from Desert Hot Springs.