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Debbie, Gary, Steve, Brian, Wendy, Quy, Michael,
Olga, Kim, Monika, Jim, Ed, Ajay
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Rocks and rilles of the McDowell Mountains.
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What a gorgeous way to spend New Year’s Eve!
We started from Golden Eagle Trailhead on a cool morning with
a few high clouds, then the weather and the scenery improved
as we walked northwest on the Dixie Mine Trail.
A steep dirt road took us down toward some mine tailings.
Just before we got there we left the road and walked upstream
through a wooded canyon to the mine.
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Going against the grain, the trail takes us in and
out of washes. [Ajay Kak photo]
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Trailblazers confer at a junction.
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A shaggy cactus baboon looks on.
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Bright boulders mark our path.
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A woodsy trail leads to the mine.
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The mine entrance is closed for safety, but a sign tells some
of the mine’s history and advises us that bats and other
critters live inside.
Just past the mine we see intricate rock formations and the work
of an ancient artist on the rocks.
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Bats make their home in the Dixie Mine.
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Wendy and Michael admire the petroglyphs.
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What was that ancient artist telling us?
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A bit of a trail here and there takes us on up the canyon, which
is mostly dry. Rocks on the canyon bottom are eroded by rushing
water, while those on the sides are sharp and angular. Soon we
come to a place where we have to climb over the rocks, easier
when they are dry.
Just beyond the rock climb, a trail takes us out of the canyon on
the left side and over to the road. Some of the hikers go back down
to further the area around the mine, while the rest of us turn
southeast on the Dixie Mine Trail and head back to the trailhead.
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Quy leads hikers out of the canyon.
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What’s this? Flowers blooming on New Year’s Eve?
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This is a popular hike! We meet lots of people on our way back,
including a few bicyclists.
The air has warmed up to the 70s as we finish the hike at
mid-day and go on to our various New Year’s festivities.
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