The trail starts in a meadow ringed by Ponderosa Pines.
As the trail nears the edge of Sandys Canyon the cliffs on the northern side of the canyon come into view.
Across a lava boulder field and above the forest trees the San Francisco Peaks make a brief appearance.
A view of the large jumbled lava boulder field tumbling into the canyon Sandys Canyon.
Ponderosas line the edge of the lava boulder field while the canyon cliffs rise above them.
Western Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
A few Aspen trees growing among the lava boulders.
A first I thought this was a bee. But it is actually a fly feeding on a thistle. Probably one the strangest looking fly I've seen.
The fly, which doesn't have a common name, is in the family of flies called Tachinid, so we'll just call him a Tachinid Fly (Adejeania vexatrix).
Two Tachinid Flies (Adejeania vexatrix) feeding on the nectar of a White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) flower.
I spent a good amount of time watching and photographing this Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi). Here he is standing tall showing off his gorgeous orange coloring on his neck and legs.
A handsome Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi).
This Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) was not shy at all and climbed over boots and jeans.
Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi).
Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi).
A smiling Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi).
This is probably Narrowleaf Penstemon (Penstemon linarioides), but don't hold me to it.
A view of Sandys Canyon Trail.
Bergamont (Monarda menthaefolia), also known as horsemint or beebalm.
A view across Sandys Canyon.
Golden-beard Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus).
New Mexico Checkermallow (Sidalcea neomexicana).
A bright flash of yellow from Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria). Note the distinctive red near the base of the petals.
I usually think of globemallow as a desert plant, but Littleleaf Globemallow (Sphaeralcea parvifolia) makes its living at an elevation from about 4000ft to 7000ft.
Scarlet Gaura (Gaura coccinea).
Scarlet Gaura (Gaura coccinea).
A Wild Geranium (Geranium caespitosum) flower hosting a party of ants.
Cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.)
The trail is marked with new trail signs.
A stump is all that remains of this tree.
Views of Mount Elden appear as the trail heads north.
Broom Groundsel (Senecio spartioides).
Billowing white clouds form in the afternoon contrasting against the dark green of the forest slopes.
The flowers of New Mexico Vervain (Verbena macdougalii) appear at the bottom of the flower stalk first and work toward the top. So these blooms must be just about done.
The tail passes a meadow tinted yellow with Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria).
Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) brighten a meadow with a splash of yellow.
Meadow with Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria).
A beautiful Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata).
The leaf of the Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata).
Evidence of wildlife using the meadow.
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata).
Evidence of wildlife using the meadow.
Just before the trail enters the narrows of Walnut Canyon fantastic sandstone cliffs appear.
There is a cave at the bottom of the cliffs.
The sandstone walls have wonderful cross-hatchings and texture.
Sandstone cliffs.
Sandstone cliffs.
Sandstone cliffs.
Sandstone cliffs.
Closeup of the cliff walls shows layers of tilted and eroded sandstone covered by newer layers of sandstone.
The sandstone cliffs meet with the canyon floor in ebbs and flows.
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Closeup of the sandstone walls.
Details of sandstone cliffs.
Sandstone cliffs.
Sandstone cliffs appear to flow out to the canyon floor.
The green leaves of a solitary tree contrasts against the sandstone cliffs.
Closeup of patterns on the sandstone cliffs.
Wonderful patterns on the sandstone cliffs.
Sandstone cliffs.
The sandstone cliffs viewed from across a meadow on the canyon floor.
A view south along a meadow filled with Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) on the return hike.
A small cave in the canyon walls.
Another sandstone cliff with interesting patterns.
Closeup of the patterns on the cliff wall.
Even after blooming Bergamont (Monarda menthaefolia) makes a nice display with the spent flower head above a colorful whorl of purplish leaves.
The flowers on the Golden-beard Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) all hang from one side of its stem.
The bright green of sun splashed Aspens contrast with the dark frame of two Ponderosa Pines.
Cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.). I've been unable to identify this orange cinquefoil. The cinquefoils I'm familiar with are yellow or red. If you know, please clue me in.
This Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) was found in almost the same location as the one photographed earlier in the hike.
Although found in the same area this Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) displays quite a different coloration then the earlier one we saw.
Ponderosa Pine cone.