Arizona Hiking Gallery
Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop
Superstition Wilderness, AZ
December 19, 2004
Gallery contains 35 photos
Gallery last updated: 1/16/2005
Lava formations seen from the Dutchman's Trail.
Weavers Needle peaking above Parker Pass.
View looking back from Parker Pass.
With an Ocotillo in the foreground this is a view of the rugged terrain on the eastern side of Parker Pass.
The trail heading down Parker Pass with Weavers Needle on the right.
Weavers Needle, Agave, and Saguaro all reaching for the sky.
Cliffs viewed from Dutchman's Trail in Boulder Basin.
Bright yellow lichen add a brillant splash of color to volcanic rock.
Weavers Needle seen from Boulder Basin.
Prickly Pear Cactus in Boulder Basin.
Here I leave the Dutchman's Trail and take a left onto the Black Mesa Trail.
Closeup of Saguaro Cactus trunk.
Looking back toward Weavers Needle from the Black Mesa Trail.
Dried up Golden Flowered Agave (Agave chrysantha) in a sea of blue sky.
Golden Flowered Agave (Agave chrysantha). A blooming event signals the eventual death of the agave plant.
Closeup of Chain Fruit Cholla "fruit chain".
Sunlight illuminating Teddy Bear Cholla spines.
Large Saguaro Cactus alongside Black Mesa Trail.
This is one giant cactus!
This Saguaro has seen many battles evident by the many scars on its main trunk.
Porous and hollow cholla "bones" returning to mother earth.
A towering Chain Fruit Cholla alongside near the top of Black Mesa Trail.
Weavers Needle as seen from the top of Black Mesa Trail.
A the top of Black Mesa Trail is a wonderful forest of cholla cactus.
The hollow skeleton of a cholla cactus arm.
The hollow skeleton of a cholla cactus arm.
A band of Saguaro Cactus dot the hillside along the Black Mesa Trail. This view is looking northwest toward Garden Valley.
A view of the hills across Garden Valley near the intersection of the Black Mesa and Second Water Trail.
I'm now at the northwest end of the Black Mesa Trail. From here I'll turn south onto Second Water Trail.
Pool of water along the Second Water Trail.
Interesting slope of the land as the trail starts a small climb out of Garden Valley.
The loop is now complete. The trailhead is just a short distance down the Dutchman's Trail.
All images Copyright ©2004 Terry Wright. All rights reserved.