From the trailhead we've hiked up the Pine Creek Trail to the intersection with the Ballantine Trail. Were headed up the trail toward Boulder Flat and the area known as The Boulders.
Wiry Lotus (Lotus rigidus) aka Desert Rock-pea or Shrubby Deervetch.
A little distance along the Ballantine Trail a boulder outcropping makes an appearance.
More of the boulder field.
More boulders.
Diamond Mountain rises behind Black Mesa in this view to the north from the Ballantine Trail.
Boulder field.
Last year's spent flower stalk of a Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri).
Toothed leaves of Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) a member of the agave family. Sotol is also known as Desert Spoon.
A pair of Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria microcarpa).
The Ballantine Trail follows along Camp Creek. It looks dry, but there was actually water flowing in this desert stream.
Bouldery Camp Creek. In the center you can see a little trickle of water flowing among the boulders.
A Saguaro cactus skeleton rises out of a pile of boulders.
A granite boulder covered with a thick layer of bright greenish-yellow lichen.
A large boulder on a ridge line points skyward behind an Ocotillo.
A wonderfully bouldered hillside.
A granite spire towers over the surrounding landscape.
Granite statuary.
Saguaro cactus skeleton.
Granite spire.
A view looking back down Camp Creek.
It doesn't take much to get a desert dweller excited about a little bit of water in a creek.
Granite boulder pile.
A trio of charred Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) has survived a wildfire that swept through the area a few years ago.
A granite boulder field at our lunch and turnaround spot along Camp Creek.
A trickle of water flows among the sand and rocks in Camp Creek.
Wonderful patterns created as crystal clear water flows over a rocky bottom.
The waters of Camp Creek flowing among the boulders.
Camp Creek.
Camp Creek.
Interesting bubbly pattern/texture as water flows through boulders.
Water over granite.
Water over granite.
Closeup of smooth granite rock.
Closeup of smooth granite rock.
Stone statue ala Easter Island.
Ridges in the Mazatzal Mountains.
Ocotillo against a backdrop of boulders.
A bouldery ridge with the Mazatzal Mountains in the background.
A wonderful many-armed Saguaro Cactus (Cereus giganteus).
A view across Highway 87 into the Mazatzal Mountains taken just above the trailhead.