[Bloated Chipmunk]

Last wk. I skipped town & joined a group doing a day hike in ABDSP -- the standard loop hike incorporating Rockhouse Canyon & Bow Willow Canyon. The hike was to be led by 2 volunteer naturalists & interpretive in nature, therefore I knew they wouldn't be going too fast (one of the main reasons I rarely go hiking in a group other than my own). It was a sunny warm day & we had a group of 15. We parked @ Bow Willow CG, introduced ourselves, & set off. Many of the peeps were there on vacation or were snowbirds who lived 1/2 the yr. somewhere else where it sucks in the Winter. Thankfully everyone was prepared w/water & sun protection, & some were brandishing books on flower ID. We started up the easy flat wash, & the flower ID began immediately. The goal was to ID @ least 50 different species of blooming plants. By the end of the hike we had surpassed that #. Soon we turned left up a wash that has some minor rock scrambling/dry waterfalls.

Starting up the wash

Lone palm

Heading up the canyon

Once things flattened out, we took a piss/water/snack break. Shade was scarce & those who chose to piss 1st lost out on the shady spots.

Funky rocks

Horned lizard

Horned lizard

More blooms

Easy walking

More blooms, cholla

Pointy rock

Penis rock

Checking out blooming ocotillo

We dropped down the canyon, passing some blooming fishhook cacti along the way. When we reached the bottom & intersected Rockhouse Canyon, we took another break. I nabbed a small patch of shade behind a bush.

Bloomin' fishhook

Fishhook cacti

Bloomin' fishhook cactus

A fatter one

Heading down into Rockhouse Cyn

Then, the long gradually inclining walk up the wide canyon to the old rockhouse/shack. There we took a longer break & a few of us huddled behind a healthy ocotillo.

Inside the rock house

@ the rock house

We turned back north & went up the saddle, stopping briefly @ the top. We descended most of the way down before stopping & waiting for the sweep to catch up.

Looking back down toward the Rock House

@ the saddle looking down into Bow Willow Cyn

We reached the bottom & turned right to head down Bow Willow Canyon, still dry even after all the rain we've had. Evidently I got tired of taking pics of flowers b/c my next pics were my last back @ the car.

Almost 9 mi.

Our loop track

Then, a rush back home to get showered up before mtg. Sadie's Driver, Barry, BPLlama, & other friends in El Cajon for dinner & drinks.

Yum!

Barry, BC, Sadie's Driver, BPLlama