Trailblazers are ready to brave the Goldfields. [photo by Cindy]

Nancy, Rebecca, Jennifer, Jenifer, Yanis, Deidre, Bruce, Joyce, Terry, Robert, Chris, Cindy, Don.

We started out from the Dispersed Camp parking lot just this side of mile marker 203 on the Apache Trail. The entire day alternated between changing clouds and full sun. It had rained the day before and the ground was saturated and very muddy in spots. I'm sure most of us had to wash our boots when we got home, not our usual after a hiking day in the desert!

Two new hikers Jenifer and Jennifer.

New memorial plaques.

On the trail in the Goldfields.

We started on an old dirt road, then the trail became more beautiful, winding through the golden lichen covered rocks of the Goldfields. There were several opportunities for a bit of rock climbing along the way. At one point we saw several (maybe 5-6?) javelinas run through the desert. We took a short break at an arch most climbed up to. At this spot people had just recently put out four memorial stones of people that had died. By coincidence after we got there, several riders on horses came up to see the stones and say a few words about their friends.

Climbing toward the arch.

Golden lichen rocks of the Goldfields.

Riders giving tribute to lost friends.

We then hiked along the wash until lunchtime at a rocky cove with some pictographs. Several hikers took the opportunity to scale the walls and wave down to the rest of us. Later, after a minor detour, we found the hidden "Thunderbird", a red painted pictograph in the rocks.

Lunch spot at pictograph.

On top of the hill.

It was a good day with good company and the amazing Goldfields.

Hidden Thunderbird pictograph.