A hillside seen through a break in the ponderosa and oak woodlands on the lower portion of the Colonel Devin Trail.
Groundsel (Senecio sp.). Not sure but this might be New Mexico Groundsel (Senecio Neomexicanus).
The bright green leaves of Bracken Ferns (Pteridium aquilinum) covered the forest floor in the recent burn areas.
The bright green of Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) light up against a dark background.
Closeup of Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum).
The Bracken Ferns (Pteridium aquilinum) love the newly opened sites around in burn area.
Much of the Colonel Devin Trail is along an old dirt road used to service a pipeline and powerlines.
The bark of one of my favorite trees the Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana).
Common Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus) blooms at the edge of a small stream.
New Mexican Raspberry (Rubus neomexicanus) gathers along moist areas next a stream.
A stream of sunlight filters through the forest canopy and brightens the white blooms of a large group of Richardson's Geraniums (Geranium richardsonii).
Closeup of Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii).
Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii).
The white petals streaked with purple veins of a Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii) stands out against a wonderful green backdrop.
Bracken Ferns colonize and brighten a recent burn area.
An elk has recently passed this way.
This Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) displays its brillant orange flowers.
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) is a member of the mustard family.
Interesting shoots of something or other.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). The needles are flat and soft and radiate singularly in all directions from the branch.
Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius).
Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius). After blooming the seed head will resemble that of a giant dandelion.
The bright green Bracken Ferns bright the foot of a small cliff.
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum).
A Ponderosa Pine stands atop the thin edge of a small crumbling cliff.
A view looking back as the Colonel Devin Trail climbs up toward the top of the Mogollon Rim.
The Colonel Devin Trail ends at the top of the Mogollon Rim at a monument to the
Battle of Big Dry Wash
Seven miles north of this point a band of Apache Indians were defeated by United States Troops on July 17, 1882. A group of tribesmen from the San Carlos Apache Reservation had attacked some ranches in the vicinity, killing several settlers. Cavalry and Indian scouts were immediately sent into the field in search of the hostiles. Five troops of cavalry and one troop of Indian scouts converged on the Apaches, surrounding them at the Big Dry Wash. The resistance of the Indians was broken after four hours of stubborn fighting. The casualties numbered two soldiers and more than twenty Apaches.
After topping out on the rim we hike another half mile north to General Springs and General Springs Cabin. The small spring flowing here was named after General George Crook who used the spring while traveling the Old Fort Apache-Camp Verde Military Road.
General Springs Cabin at the north end of a meadow just inside the tree-line.
General Springs Cabin was built in 1918 by Louis Fisher and used for many years as a fire guard station.
General Springs Cabin: Enter here.
General Springs Cabin. All it needs is a couple of comfy Adirondack chairs on the front porch.
General Springs Cabin: Front porch.
Shortsepal Lewisia (Lewisia brachycalyx) blooming in the meadow near General Springs Cabin.
For lunch we sit among the elk droppings in the shade of a Ponderosa Pine at the edge of the meadow.
This ponderosa provided a nice shady spot to eat lunch at the edge of the meadow.
Spreadfruit Goldenbanner aka Golden Pea aka Pine Thermopsis (Thermopsis pinetorum).
After lunch we hike back down off the rim and hike through a sever burn area on the way to the Railroad Tunnel. This area was scorched by the Water Wheel Fire in August 2009.
A charred and blackened log shines in the afternoon sun.
The Tunnel Trail (Trail 390) travels through the burn area of August 2009 Water Wheel Fire. Due to the fire the sign post for the trail is no longer there and the trail can be a little difficult to follow.
Bracken Ferns.
Bracken ferns beneath interesting sandstone layers.
A roofless stone room sits at the entrance of the Railroad Tunnel, which can just be seen in the upper left of this window.
Closeup of Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana) catkin.
A Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana) grows near the Railroad Tunnel.
In the 1880's the Arizona Mineral Belt Railroad started to bore a 3100-foot long railroad tunnel through the Mogollon Rim, but they soon ran out of money after having only dug 70 feet.
The end of the tunnel. The Railroad Tunnel was to be part of a rail line to bring ore from Globe to the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in Flagstaff.
The entrance to the Railroad Tunnel.
False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa).
Leaves of a Bracken Fern ready to unfold.
In Arizona Boxelder (Acer negundo) is usually found in high-elevation riparian communities.
Boxelder (Acer negundo) leaves. Boxelder is a member of the maple family and is the most widely distributed of all the North American maples.
Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii).
Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii).
A hastily constructed lean-to along side the Colonel Devin Trail.
The Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana) gets its name from its very distinctive checkered bark resembling the skin of an alligator. It is the largest juniper species in Arizona reaching a height of 50 feet.
Leaves of the Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum).