Spring has sprung

My wife tells me that at home they're experiencing a little S & S - snow flakes and single digit temperatures. So I can't complain that the Arizona heat that transplants and tourists love has thus far been woefully lacking. I'm surrounded by RV's and at night the still of the desert is broken only by the sound of heaters in these RV's cycling on and off trying to take the chill off. Daytime temps have been in the mid-50's to low (very low!) 60's and at night its cold enough that each morning I'm awakening to frost outside my little popup camper. Then of course there is the wind that brings it's own chill as it rushes through the mountain canyons before spilling out on the plain on which Phoenix sits. The sleeping bag that saw me warm and cozy when we headed north to Alaska is still doing it's job, so long as I put on three layers of clothing before hopping into bed!

Still, I'd rather put up with the cool temps and breezes rather than shovel snow so like I said I can't complain. It's apparently been a wet winter and the other night it poured at the campground. With all the moisture Mother Nature is taking full advantage and the desert seems to be blooming early. The wildflowers that are usually abundant in March are already carpeting the desert as far as the eye can see. Mostly yellows, but purples and blues as well make what would otherwise be a starkly brown landscape a pallet of color. I've even seen the occasional cactus starting to flower.

What all that means is that it's a wonderful time to get in some desert hiking and biking. The other day I hiked up Ford Canyon from the campground and back down through Mesquite Canyon. Ford Canyon is a little more challenging and remote and doesn't seem to attract as many hikers but that by itself is as good a reason as any to head that way. The early part of the canyon is rated as a double black diamond hike in difficulty on the White Tank Park map so I was somewhat curious to see what exactly 'double black diamond difficulty' meant. By Rocky Mountain standards (think hiking 14'ers) it would be a moderate climb but I think the Park rates it as such to discourage those who might not be prepared for the strenuous but very doable hike. And the cool conditions meant not having to fight the added adversary of brutal heat that can send temperatures in these parts soaring into triple digits even in February and March. Here's a quick video tour of the hike up Ford Canyon. If you're in this neck of the woods (cacti?) through the end of March and want a guided tour just let me know as I'll be happy to do the hike again!