Freemont Saddle

 Friday we went on the Freemont Saddle hike with Neil and Lynne.  4.6 miles with 1341 ft. elevation gain.  A great hike with the best scenery so far this year.  I was able to relive the hike for about 2 days every time I tried to get up from my recliner.  Ah the memories.  

Close to the start of the trail.  Very lush.  
We crossed the creek a couple of times.

The cactus on the left didn't know which was was up.

As we continue up the trail we get a
better view of the mountain range in the distance. 

Now the view is getting spectacular

The hoodoos look like I'm getting the finger, many times over. 

Dr Doolittle's giant snail has been found

Weavers Needle off in the distance.
A breathtaking view that, try as might, I can't quite capture in the camera.

There is a trail to the lone pine to the right of Weavers.  
Didn't take it this time but perhaps next.

A little surreal perhaps.  Could be a scene from Lord of the Rings.

G

The moon even made an appearance 

Another Lord of the Rings shot

It was a perfect day.  Started out around 60 and hit a high of 70 with a nice breeze at the top as we stopped for lunch and relaxed for a bit.  Not a cloud in the sky so if you notice clouds in some of the pictures that is me taking some creative license.  

We started out at about 10:00 and got back around 2:30.  Was interesting to see the difference in the light between morning and the beginning of the lengthening afternoon shadows

Some of these pictures will no doubt make it onto canvas for mounting on the wall.  Only have so much wall space so the difficult task will be choosing which ones make the cut.   

It seems that I have committed to going on this hike at least 2 more times this year with different people.  It will be worth every aching muscle.

As I am sitting here doing my blog I am watching 2 young guys install the floor in the Az room.  Now this is the way to install a floor.