I agree! It definitely was worth the trip up the mountain.

Thanks for the link Bill! Great article for learning all about the Sky Islands.

Cool, didn't even see that there with the telescope focusing my attention

Clever plants, those Brittlebushes. Thanks for the back story, or maybe its an understory.

Well I think you might be right there. It looks like both things - mountains with the tire track patterns running up, down and sideways on them.

Hey, that’s really nice to know! I’ve always admired this stretch too but assumed it was inspired by the angular Tucson Mountains.

Big day! Nice one!

https://skyislandalliance.org/our-region/the-sky-islands/#:~:text=Ascending%20from%20the%20hot%2C%20arid,spruce%2Dfir%2Daspen%20forest.

That's why the mountains in that area are called the sky islands. Vegetation is mostly oaks, pinyon pines and juniper with lots of smaller bushes as well. Birding in the sky islands is pretty special.

And a little "crest" in the middle!

Brittlebushes next to pavement flower the most because the moisture soaks under the pavement when it rains, and the pavement prevents evaporation far better than open ground, so the roots reach in there for moisture not available elsewhere.

Glad you enjoyed it!

We have seen a lot of homeless people on our rides around the Loop. It is sad to see.

Looking back it does seem obvious that the ball size was the issue. I agree, I would have expected the dealer we bought the trailer from to make sure we had the right one.

I missed that stone horse, will have to look for it next time we're there. That new trail piece near Brandi Fenton will be great. You're right, that section is busy, and it feels narrow to me. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions.