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| The next section of the route provided scenic views as we approached and then descended into McKittrick Canyon. Shortly after departing the water drop, my legs began hurting as they had hurt during Miwok and my energy level was dropping. I knew it would be wise to stop at McKittrick and not make the return trip. One of the runners doing the return trip could put my water to good use. The temperatures were beginnning to warm-up in the late morning and would be even warmer in the afternoon. |
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| FRIDAY (cont'd.) |
| Photo 9: At the McKittrick Trail Junction we stopped to drop off water bladders |
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| Photo 10: A first view of McKittrick Canyon in the far distance |
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| Photo 11: Getting a little closer.... |
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| Photo 12: A desert bloom along the trail |
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| Photo 13: For a short distance the trail veered away from the edge of the canyon. The small spot of red color along the trail is Indian Paintbrush. The Indian Paintbrush wildflowers were very healthy in the Guadalupes. |
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| Photo 14: The trail was not as rocky in this section |
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| Photo 15: Beginning to see more details of the interesting canyon walls |
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| Photo 16: I almost ran right by the turnoff for this overlook . The details of the canyon walls are more evident. |
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| Photo 17: Beginning the steep rocky descent into McKittrick Canyon... the trail is the white line which follows along a natural saddle in the landscape. This was a very fun section. |
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| Photo 18: After traversing the saddle, the trail zig-zagged up the rocky feature in the center of the photo. |
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| Photo 19: Final Photo: The Madrone Tree... its red wood reminded me of my favorite Manzanita. The camera was out of film after this shot. I would have liked to have gotten a photo of the maple trees which were growing along the botom of the canyon. |
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| The flag extending above the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center was a happy site. Janice's parents had driven over from Pine Springs and brought our drop bags. I had a lunch of PB&J sandwiches and then took a short nap in the shade of the visitor center.. About an hour later I got a ride back with some of the others to Pine Springs Campground and then took another nap. Around 7:30pm those making the return trip began arriving to Pine Springs campground and we had dinner at the main group campsite. Fortunately it was not as windy Friday night. |