Ringbolt Hot Springs and Chloride
February 16-19, 2007
Photos by Dennis, David and Marion
We camped in a large wash above the pools and spent the afternoon poking our noses into various canyons and dipping in the hot pools and the icy river.
View from the ridge above the wash where we camped (tents in the right foreground).
Our co-campers from AMC arrived in time for a late afternoon hike along the river.
Dennis and Marion and the scary ladder.
Rogil on the rocks.Tim and Kathy display their haute water couture.
It was a perfect night under the stars — so mild that we didn't need the rain fly. In the wee hours, we were serenaded by two hoot owls "pinging" each other (Dennis).
Dawn arrived all too soon, and it was time to herd 'em up and head 'em out.
Instead of returning via White Rock Canyon, we continued up the wash, where there were several thought-provoking waterfalls.
Left to right: Sonya, Nancy, Rogil, David and me.I get by with a little help from my friends (one hand up and two from behind).
Look closely: somewhere underneath that backpack is my husband taking a picture of a flower!
And there's the flower: a yellow evening primrose (Kathy!).
Dennis, Tim and Kathy taking pictures of each other taking pictures ...
Dennis and I peeled off from the group about 30 minutes out and took the shorter, steeper route out of the canyon to avoid a 20-foot waterfall. Although not as lush as the Sonoran Desert, there were tiny wildflowers underfoot and some nice chunks of malachite and quartz to keep us entertained.
We took the long way back to Tucson, including a side trip to Hoover Dam.
Just before dark we found an unlikely camping spot on a windswept mesa above Bagdad, a creepy little company town with nothing to recommend it but an interesting name.
The drive from Bagdad to Prescott was spectacular, dropping into the Santa Maria River Valley and then climbing well over 6000 feet to follow the old Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe rail line. Don't miss the Duck Rock near Kirkland!
The general store in Skull Valley, whose logo is ... a skull! This trip was a reminder that much of Arizona is still the wild, wild West, and adventure is still possible!