Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Usery Mountains Day 2



This morning we decided to take a little walk after breakfast around the campground. We thought that after yesterday’s snake sightings we may see some more. Well we did come upon one that we thought was dead as it didn’t make any movement as we approached it. We saw that something was protruding from his mouth and thought he may have suffocated while feasting on a mouse or something. After talking with the park ranger we later learned that snakes remain very still and motionless when eating and  we were very fortunate to have witnessed it. We returned later to get pictures and found that he had moved on. Later we did see our fifth snake, a large one that crossed the street directly in front of us.

This park has many trails to hike from .5 miles to 7.5 miles and from easy to difficult. We decided to hike the wind cave trail which is also the parks most popular trail. The trail is 3 miles and considered hard. It’s a climb of 812 feet the first mile and half and then the return is the descent of 812 feet. It was a pretty trail with beautiful vistas of the Phoenix valley.


Notice the large lump in his throat
How he looked when we first spotted him

View along the trail
View along the trail


Large Saguaro's
More Saguaro's


Cactus in bloom
Cactus in bloom



Cactus in bloom
Cactus in bloom



Looking south toward Apache Junction



Looking west toward Phoenix




Finally the top