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
