Arizona Hiking Gallery: Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop - Superstition Wilderness, AZ - December 19, 2004

Arizona Hiking Gallery

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop
Superstition Wilderness, AZ
December 19, 2004

Gallery contains 35 photos

Gallery last updated: 1/16/2005

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 1

Lava formations seen from the Dutchman's Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 2

More lava outcroppings.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 3

Weavers Needle peaking above Parker Pass.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 4

View looking back from Parker Pass.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 5

With an Ocotillo in the foreground this is a view of the rugged terrain on the eastern side of Parker Pass.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 6

The trail heading down Parker Pass with Weavers Needle on the right.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 7

Weavers Needle, Agave, and Saguaro all reaching for the sky.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 8

Cliffs viewed from Dutchman's Trail in Boulder Basin.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 9

Bright yellow lichen add a brillant splash of color to volcanic rock.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 10

Weavers Needle seen from Boulder Basin.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 11

Prickly Pear Cactus in Boulder Basin.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 12

Here I leave the Dutchman's Trail and take a left onto the Black Mesa Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 13

Closeup of Saguaro Cactus trunk.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 14

Looking back toward Weavers Needle from the Black Mesa Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 15

Dried up Golden Flowered Agave (Agave chrysantha) in a sea of blue sky.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 16

Golden Flowered Agave (Agave chrysantha). A blooming event signals the eventual death of the agave plant.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 17

Chain Fruit Cholla.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 18

Closeup of Chain Fruit Cholla "fruit chain".

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 19

Sunlight illuminating Teddy Bear Cholla spines.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 20

Large Saguaro Cactus alongside Black Mesa Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 21

This is one giant cactus!

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 22

Reaching for the sky.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 23

This Saguaro has seen many battles evident by the many scars on its main trunk.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 24

Porous and hollow cholla "bones" returning to mother earth.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 25

A towering Chain Fruit Cholla alongside near the top of Black Mesa Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 26

Weavers Needle as seen from the top of Black Mesa Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 27

A the top of Black Mesa Trail is a wonderful forest of cholla cactus.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 28

The hollow skeleton of a cholla cactus arm.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 29

The hollow skeleton of a cholla cactus arm.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 30

A band of Saguaro Cactus dot the hillside along the Black Mesa Trail. This view is looking northwest toward Garden Valley.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 31

A view of the hills across Garden Valley near the intersection of the Black Mesa and Second Water Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 32

I'm now at the northwest end of the Black Mesa Trail. From here I'll turn south onto Second Water Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 33

Pool of water along the Second Water Trail.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 34

Interesting slope of the land as the trail starts a small climb out of Garden Valley.

Dutchman's - Black Mesa Loop: Image 35

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.