Cactus blooming

This is one of the night blooming ones that closes up all the blossoms during the day. 

Sunday morning, 6 AM

Greeting the sunrise on the bike. 

Looking south down Ellsworth

This shows the long slope down into the valley from near Usery Pass. It's a lot more fun to ride the bike that direction than it is to climb up to where I took the picture. 

Usery Mountain

This sign was put up when Phoenix was a lot smaller and before all the cool electronics were available to help pilots. 

Cactus Fruit and Bird of Paradise

This is near a friend's house. I liked the clashof the colors on the cactus, the flowers and the roof. 

Four Peaks in the Distance

It's about 40 miles up to the Four Peaks from where this was taken, or so I understand. 

The Goldfield Mountains

This is part of the Goldfield range. They run along the north side of Apache Junction, and yes, they did find gold there. There are several old mines in the area and one has been turned into a tourist attraction. All of the mines are played out now, but there are supposed to be places up near Four Peaks where you can still get "color" in a pan. 

Superstition Silhouette

This morning on my bike ride I saw this silhouette of the southeast flank of the Superstitions and stopped to take a picture.

Later this morning I saw an article in the paper talking about the hoodoos on the mountain and the Hohokam belief that a great flood came and the People fled up the mountain only to be turned to stone.

Funny how timing works... 

The Superstitions

Looking south and a bit east from the Trail. The buildings in the foreground are part of Apache Junction and Lost Dutchman State park is to the left. You can hike up onto the mountain from there. 

Weaver's Needle

Weaver's Needle is the one on the left :D

This is looking south from the end of a short paved trail off of the Apache Trail heading back toward Apache Junction from Canyon Lake. 

Canyon Lake from the overlook

The Apache Trail overlook gives a wonderful view of the lake and its surrounding mountains. This shot is looking east toward the mouth of the canyon. 

Canyon Lake, looking southwest

This shot is looking from the opening of the canyon southwest across the main lake. In the background you can just see the tip of Weaver's Needle, which is one of the major landmarks of the Superstition Mountains.

Some say that the Lost Dutchman's gold came from a place that lies in the shadow of the Needle. Of course, more than a few people have looked for that gold without success... 

Cactus, Clouds and Mountain

The Superstitions are in shadow. 

Pass Mountain

The storm was getting closer, but the sun was getting in under the leading edge of the clouds. 

Storm Coming

This afternoon a storm blew up to the north and east of town. Pretty impressive clouds. 

Sunrise

Looking east from the house, about 5:30.