Lizard Canyon

Yesterday, we left early, and drove 75 miles inland to the Anza Borrego Desert.  Our goal was to hike in solitude and enjoy the desert ecology and weather.  We scored on both counts.

Lizard Wash has a jeep trail, which we hiked up for about a mile.  Then we veered off up the trail-less Lizard Canyon for another 2 miles or so.

Despite our reading that all plants in the desert are armed and dangerous, Gail had to touch this barrel cactus, or maybe it was the cholla (or jumping) cactus at its base.

 We almost had to Medevac her out due to massive blood loss!

The little bit of rain last week started some plants to blossum.

Ocotillo cactus loses its little leaves by summer, but here, new ones are emerging. 

This cholla cactus is developing its "fruit".

As the canyon narrowed, we examined a shallow cave.  There were deer or mountain sheep droppings under the overhang.

We also found this old jar in nearby cactus that was sealed by its old rusty lid.  We could see matchbooks, old underwear, and hand rolled smoking materials inside.  We brought it home, but haven't gotten the willpower (or rubber gloves) yet to open it up.  Could it be from border crossers?

The canyon became narrower and often forced us closely against the devilish cacti.

If you look closely, you can see Gail peering out of another cave higher up the cliff.  She is displaying owl pellets.

Coming back down was a slip and slide affair!

The cacti were extracting their toll.  We both had our share of scratches and pokes.

Gail spotted a mortero, or Indian grinding hole, which we cleaned out and photographed.

A little hard to see, but interesting to us.  This is a packrat nest under two boulders.  The packrat has strategically placed small cholla cactus on the nest and around the base of it for protection.  We wondered how many packrats lost an eye moving these vicious little balls around!

The fish hook barrel cacti were quite pretty.  Some were waist high.

 

Some areas were like planned cactus gardens.

A large agave plant with its deadly spears.

Here is the view heading back down Lizard Canyon to Lizard Wash.  We didn't see a soul on the whole hike and the silence was awesome! 

On the drive back up and over the 4,000 ft. mountain pass towards the west, we were in for more treats.  We saw a bobcat twice, and were able to get good looks at them stalking around for dinner.  And...  in Julian, we stopped and bought one of the town's very famous products - a home made apple pie!  Life is good!