Was itching to get out today so Bookah and I headed to the Devil's Tombstone for a quick shot up Leavitt Peak.
Nice and cool at the trailhead and though I applied some full strength Deet, there was really no need as biting flies were almost completely absent.
Up to around 2600', the trail wove through a sea of nettles, with a few growing on the trail. The mature nettles were about belt high in places but the forest changed about 2600' and the nettles disappeared except in some wet areas.
It was sunny with clouds with a nice breeze and we were at the beginning of the 'whack' to Leavitt in no time. Bookah and I followed the 1800's railroad bed that is the herd path and then the few minute 'whack to the canister.
All in all a great day - a large garter snake on the trail, up-close blue jay parent trying to chase us away from a nest, no bugs, close to perfect weather.
Bookah had a great time scampering after chippies, and fortunately, no porcupines, fawns, or bear cub encounters.
Photos later.
Nice and cool at the trailhead and though I applied some full strength Deet, there was really no need as biting flies were almost completely absent.
Up to around 2600', the trail wove through a sea of nettles, with a few growing on the trail. The mature nettles were about belt high in places but the forest changed about 2600' and the nettles disappeared except in some wet areas.
It was sunny with clouds with a nice breeze and we were at the beginning of the 'whack' to Leavitt in no time. Bookah and I followed the 1800's railroad bed that is the herd path and then the few minute 'whack to the canister.
All in all a great day - a large garter snake on the trail, up-close blue jay parent trying to chase us away from a nest, no bugs, close to perfect weather.
Bookah had a great time scampering after chippies, and fortunately, no porcupines, fawns, or bear cub encounters.
Photos later.
