rascally rabbits

It was an all-hiking long weekend (something Milton absolutely approved of; when we get the MTBs out, he "hides" under the truck so we can't leave) and Saturday morning, fairly early, we went back to the Navajo Rocks trailhead to do the Ramblin/Rocky Tops/Coney Island/Middle Earth loop we had done last Thanksgiving.  It was warmer this time but much less busy, due to the summer heat/coronavirus.

H ramblin' on Ramblin

Ramblin is the first trail out of the trailhead and it is delightful.  It first crosses wide slickrock expanses, berms and rollers, as it goes past the high red rock cliff walls, then goes through a wash and then curves its way around ledges and shorter, paler cliffs.  The footing is mostly rock or sand and is fairly level - nice walking.

Brown sugar doughnuts or perfect tiny anthills?

After we crossed 313 at the lower trailhead, we were on Rocky Tops which is rockier, looser and more technical - not much of an issue if you're on foot but I would struggle on a MTB. 

"I'm sure I saw a rabbit come through here"

As I mentioned in the post linked above, there's a little bit of everything: double track, dirt single track, sandy single track, slickrock, slippery switchbacks, sandstone bowls and rolling benches.  Those bowls are very sidehill-y too - tough on the ankles.

Kings of the mountain

There was also a fair amount of wildlife: birds, lizards, small and furry critters and desert cottontails.  Milton flushed out two of them in quick succession and, since he goes all out during the hunt, he didn't have time to recover in between chases.  Even though it was partly cloudy and only in the high 80s, he was overheating and panting hard, throwing himself down into any shade. 

Entering a sidehill section

H put him on the leash after the second rabbit to keep him from running and overexerting himself until he had recovered.  Once the panting stopped, we let him loose again.  By that time all rabbits had made themselves scarce, which was good for everyone (especially the rabbits).  Also good: he didn't catch anything: Rabbits 2 Milton 0.

Remains of a deceased range cow 

(much deteriorated since Thanksgiving)

Cooling off post-chase

We were starting to get a little hot when we finally rolled into the parking lot, so the distance/timing was just about right.  Of course, we weren't too hot not to stand there, drink beers and people-watch as a few hikers, MTBers and van-lifers came and went and puttered about around us.  It ain't as exciting as chasing rabbits but it's good enough for us.

Funky stump

Hike stats: 8.6 miles; moving time 2:51/3.0 m.p.h.; overall 3:13/2.7 m.p.h.; 1,070' elevation

It is possible that he overdid it on this hike