A view to the southeast from a hang glider launch ramp atop Mingus Mountain at the beginning of North Mingus Trail (Trail #105).
A north easterly view from atop Mingus Mountain overlooking the Verde Valley and the town of Cottonwood below.
A pair of Parry's Agave (Agave parryi) sporting tall flower stalks loaded with red buds just on the verge of opening into bright yellow flowers.
A closeup of one of the Parry's Agave (Agave parryi) flower stalks.
Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) blends in well with the leaves on the forest floor. I heard him rustling in the leaves before I saw him.
A closer view Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) .
Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) found along side the North Mingus Trail shortly after starting its drop from the rim.
After dropping off the rim of Mingus Mountain, the North Mingus Trail travels through a wonderful pine, fir, aspen, and oak forest with lots of interesting plants. I don't know what this is, if you know please clue me in.
The North Mingus Trail (Trail #105) as it slowly descends on the north side of Mingus Mountain.
A lichen covered basalt slide crosses the North Mingus Trail.
I'm not positive, but this might be New Mexico Raspberry (Rubus neomexicanus) .
Alum-root (Heuchera sp.)
Alum-root (Heuchera sp.).
Alum-root (Heuchera sp.).
False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa).
Flower of New Mexico Raspberry (Rubus neomexicanus) .
Interesting cliff along side the North Mingus Trail.
A view to the north from the North Mingus Trail. On the horizon the San Francisco Peaks can be seen on the right and Bill Williams Mountain to the left.
A view of Woodchute Mountain from the North Mingus Trail.
Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) along the North Mingus Trail. I rarely see this flower in bloom as it is usually only open in the morning. At other times it only shows a large greenish bud.
Looking back up toward Mingus Mountain along the North Mingus Trail (Trail #105) from the intersection with Trail #105A. From here we'll follow Trail 105A around to the east side of Mingus Mountain (to the left in this photo) to the View Point Trail (Trail #106).
A view of the cliffs along the east side of Mingus Mountain.
Bergamont (Monarda menthaefolia), a member of a the mint family, has an interesting flowerhead.
A trio of Bergamont (Monarda menthaefolia) blossoms.
A splash of scarlet penstemon among the lichen covered boulders.
Somehow the View Point Trail (Trail #106) makes its way up into this fold and back up on top of Mingus Mountain.
Interesting rock formations as the View Point Trail makes its climb back up onto the rim of Mingus Mountain.
I like the interesting patterns of grain in this log alongside the View Point Trail.