I found a great place to hike in Wickenburg...Hassayampa River Preserve. The only negative was that Thistle had to stay home.
There are six short trails adding up to about 4 miles in all. Only one of the trails was steep and rugged.
The Visitor's Center is inside the historic ranch house. Through the years the property has been a guest ranch starting in 1913, cattle ranching from the 1940s-1960s, resort and trailer park developed by Norman Lykes, who sold 333 acres to the Nature Conservancy in 1986. In 2004, his widow donated an additional 330 acres to the Conservancy.
A map and description of the trails.
These are California Palms along the Palm Lake Loop.
Starting out on Palm Lake Loop...
California Palms' "petticoats."
Willow Walkway is a short trail off the Palm Lake Loop.
I caught a glimpse of a Common Goldeneye in the lake. He was hiding.
Palm Lake
Two pair of Mallards and some Coots were seen in this part of the lake.
Finishing Palm Lake Loop...
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Crossing the river to the Lion Trail.
This little Sparrow was getting a drink. Does anybody know what kind of Sparrow?
Lion Trail
Wildflowers were blooming here and there.
Crossing the river again.
Next I hiked the River Ramble Trail. The river is low now, but there is evidence of flooding events.
I was looking for particular frogs seen here, but didn't find any.
Looking at the trail to Lyke's Lookout.
The only steep and rugged trail in the Preserve.
A view from partway up the trail.
Lyke's Lookout is ahead.
Below you are the green trees of the Preserve, but you can see way in the distance. The mountains to the north are identified for you on the sign.
And to the south...
White Picacho
Below is the River Preserve.
Butterflies...
I spent a long time trying to get a picture of this small white butterfly with orange patches on its wings, so that's why you get this blurry picture.
I think that's the same Sparrow back on the River Ramble trail...got it figured out yet?
I was here early and managed to avoid the groups of school trip kids, but they are setting up things for them to do along the river.
Mesquite Meander was the last trail.
Many red ants were busy along this sandy trail.
This black beetle was trying to get away from them I think.
Cottonwood tree growing new trees from its fallen trunk.
Lupine
Probably Javalina trails through the grass.
Back at the Visitor's Center, the hummingbirds were busy at the feeders.
