We had beautiful weather for this hike. It was sunny and warm. At times some threatening clouds blew over, but it did not rain on us.

The trail runs next to Pine Creek, which was gushing with water from the mountains. We headed uphill on the Pine Creek Loop, with great views of the Beeline Highway and the Four Peaks Wilderness area.

The Ballantine Trailhead is 1.5 miles in. We saw a lot of eroded granite hoodoos and large monoliths, as well as a saguaro shaped like a hand. The wildflowers were just beginning to come out, with just a few poppies and many purple pom-pom flowers.

We went past Boulder Flats to the lunch spot, with a spectacular view of the surrounding valleys and hoodoo mountains. The only mishap was when I slipped onto a prickly pear cactus. Brian pulled cactus stickers out of me while the others made me laugh and Dave took my picture.