SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Some of you who have read about my attempts to find Silver Creek Canyon may have guessed that it was never missing at all, and now I suspect the same--I just hadn't hiked far enough from either direction to reach it. I nearly gave up this time too, having hiked down the now somewhat familiar Bull Trap Canyon (first four photos) for nearly three miles with no sign of my goal. Three miles might not sound like much, but hardly any of it is actually on a trail. I do follow the trails made by cows and usually approve of their choices, though at times their trails become needlessly precipitous, with the canyon far below...perhaps they were seeking views, or maybe they just ate too much locoweed.

Anyway, I had become lost in thought when a sound from over my left shoulder got my attention--it was water rushing over rocks from a side canyon! Somehow I had only considered continuing south when I found Silver Creek, but looking upstream I instantly changed my mind and headed northeast. A dramatic narrowing of the canyon walls and a deep pool (photo #9) discouraged me from going very far; I'll wait for a warmer day with less water. Actually the day was warm enough but the water is still icy cold. I set up a trail camera and got a mess of photos with my DSLR for a change, and later discovered that I had jostled that poor camera into a weird mix of settings so that most of my photos of Silver Creek were impossibly dark. My trusty old smartphone provided the last two photos.

I am occasionally asked why I seek such far-flung places to hike when there is an abundance of actual trails nearby. Besides the obvious answer that I want to see new sights, there is this: no human footprints, no voices around the bend, and no sounds of traffic in the distance. Just me and the flowing water and the breeze and the little Candytuft blossoms, the first floral sign of spring in these parts.

Please enjoy the hike, especially since I did all the work!

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Wonderful find and shots

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks. It was well worth the effort (which turned out to be seven miles from start to finish and yes, I was tired). I'll be back!--but it's going to have to wait until after a trip to Florida.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

It was well worth it, at least for us who don’t go out much.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Good! I'll always make sure you get out. Though today I'm staying in because it's snowing.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Great story & photos. Enjoy your private time in the outdoors!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Nice shots and story line.

Having hiked terrain like that long ago, at 78, I will leave it to you and others. Thes days, my idea of rugged is more like a crack in the sidewalk or graded path in a park.

Now if it had a trail my street legal mobility scooter could do, that is a different story. But first I would have to get out of the city into the countryside or the mountains surrounding the LA basin.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I am very happy that you succeeded in your quest. This is a beautiful set with a flowery ending.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I do, always. It's a great soul-restorer. Thank you for looking.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I'm sure you could find such a trail if you were so inclined, but I also understand that it might be more trouble than it's worth (sometimes I think that of my hikes). Who knows how long I'll be able to find these remote places and explore them? Thanks for looking and commenting.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Ha, yes the ending is flowery. Now let's see what the trail camera has to show me several weeks down the road. Cows, I'm sure. I actually can't see myself going back there too many times. Between the driving time and the hike to the canyon, plus exploring, it makes for a long and tiring day. Thanks for stopping in!

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

I enjoyed your hike particularly since you did all the work. Doesn't look like there's a lot of flat ground where you went. When I was young enough to attempt hikes like you do, I would wait until the water was warm enough to walk in with sneakers. Walking right up a stream is usually the shortest way and the easiest way to get where you're going. Waterfalls can be a challenge but usually there's a way around them. I know what you mean by getting to places where nobody else is. My wife and I used to ride horses into back country for the same reason. But the end was the same as yours, both you and your horse are tired.

Keep up the good work.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Very nice!! I really like #2, #3, #7, #8 and 10!!

Three miles?? With my asthma I'm doing good to go three house lengths on this hilly street I live on. Flat surfaces I do better. LOL!!

Dodie

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I'm not sure there's any flat ground in southwest New Mexico! There is, of course, but even in my town it's hard to find a level street or sidewalk. I definitely do my share of wading when it's warmer; at my age rock-hopping is a dangerous undertaking. But I'll need to do my exploring before the summer rains come (they will come, won't they?). I really don't want to win a Darwin award or become a pathetic statistic in a flash flood and have cattle trample my hapless body miles downstream.

Maybe next time I'll pay better attention to my camera settings! Thanks for looking.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

The entire hike was close to seven miles. I might be more used to it than some people but this hike was pretty strenuous for me--somehow I don't bounce back like I used to. I've noticed I don't bounce at all. The first six tenths of a mile was flat! Thanks for looking and I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. It's a good thing I went when I did because it's been snowing all day and I'm sure those mountains are getting dumped on.