Wild Dog Trail

As I was driving to this trailhead, I wasn't sure if I was going to write anything about it. It connects Valley View Overlook to Signal Hill, both of which I have already completed. I couldn't imagine that this area would be very different...and then I hit the trail.

The beginning of this path is the same as that of Valley View Overlook, but then you take a right and walk right into the desert. I mean, not on a path in the desert, you are in the desert. The terraced steps and the wide, flat walkway are replaced with a sloping, narrow trail that meanders between plants and rocks and takes you down through washes and up to giant boulders.

Some of the reviews suggested this was another place to catch a view of the sunset so I headed out later in the afternoon. I honestly didn't know if I would make it to the end of the trail and back before sundown because of the distance and elevation changes, so I decided to keep an eye on the time and turn around when I needed to head back. Even though I had given myself permission to not complete the whole trail, I was determined to do my best. So I kept up a pretty quick pace (for me), which was easy on the way out because most of the trail was downhill.

No matter how quickly I walk, I still have to stop to take some pictures and congratulate the plants that have found a way to thrive in this barren land. Unlike other hikes where one type of cactus is abundant and steals the show, today everyone was represented and there were just a few individuals who stood out. There was the ocotillo who thought it was spring as she showed off her red blooms (Note: this photo has been enhanced, so the red is more visible.), the saguaro that looked like a boxing teddy bear, and the lush and vibrant palo verde glowing in the afternoon sun.

Following the twists and turns on the path, I came to the first wash. I have to admit that I paused for a few seconds before crossing it. I reminded myself that there were no clouds in the sky and there was no rain in the forecast, so the chances of a gush of water rushing down the hill and leaving me stranded were pretty slim, and proceeded across the sandy bottom of the dry riverbed. It's so nice that there are steps leading up and down all of the washes, but some of them are definitely not made for people with short legs. Yay for walking sticks!

Checking the time, I decided to head all the way to the end of the trail before turning back. At this point, the sun was setting behind the mountains nearest to me and would soon be setting behind the larger range on the west side of the valley. Not wanting to be stuck in the park after the road closed at dusk, I stepped up the pace. And this is when I realized that I would be walking up hill most of the way back. Fortunately, the setting sun put on a show my entire hike back to the car, giving me so many reasons to stop, look up, turn around, and take in the colors of the painted sky.

Have I mentioned that sunsets are one of my favorite things? I used to sit for hours watching the sun play with the clouds as it set over the Pacific. Sometimes the entire sky would light up in cotton-candy colors of pinks and oranges and purples as the rays reflected off of the clouds in the sky. Here in the desert, it's a whole different experience. You get to see colors of the sun setting in the west and then turn around and watch the painted sky in the east as well. It is as if you have been placed in the center of the show.

As I slowed to take in the changing sky, I started to realize that I was almost back to the beginning of the path. I also started to realize that I had just completed my longest journey with the most elevation change, and I did it on my own. I thought about how there was no one type of cactus that "stole the show" on this hike because, today, I did. I was the star of the show on this hike. And, as I pulled out of the parking spot, and headed down the hill with a proud smile on my face, Mother Nature celebrated with me in all of her glory.