Parker Canyon Lake - October 31, 2004
On a gorgeous All Hallow's Eve, Kathy and I set out to hike a section of the Arizona Trail near Parker Canyon Lake.
![](https://www.desertlavender.com/southern-arizona/huachucas/images/parker1.jpg)
The air was crystal clear and brisk, the sky was deep blue, and the late afternoon light turned the high desert grasses to gold.
![](https://www.desertlavender.com/southern-arizona/huachucas/images/parker3.jpg)
Everything was perfect. Except maybe that we hiked about three miles in the wrong direction!
![](https://www.desertlavender.com/southern-arizona/huachucas/images/parker2.jpg)
Oh well. Wherever we were, it was lovely. Lunchtime found us on the shores of a tiny stream meandering between forests of Mexican Oak, alligator juniper and manzanita.
![](https://www.desertlavender.com/southern-arizona/huachucas/images/parker4.jpg)
The day ended with pizza, salad and red wine at the Velvet Elvis in Patagonia, so we were exactly where we were supposed to be.
![](https://www.desertlavender.com/southern-arizona/huachucas/images/parker5.jpg)
An extraordinary sunset over the Santa Rita Mountains cast long dark shadows on the east side of the mountains.