Snowy hike in the Aspens

[Slips73]

“I have not tired of the wilderness; rather I enjoy its beauty and the vagrant life I lead,
 more keenly all the time. I prefer the saddle to the streetcar and star-sprinkled sky to a roof,
the obscure and difficult trail, leading into the unknown to any paved highway,
and the deep peace of the wild to the discontent bred by cities.” -Everett Ruess

As I was finishing up my some homework I happened to look out my window and saw the sun breaking through the clouds dusting the San Francisco Peaks. So I quickly grabbed my keys and drove out to Harts Prairie in hopes of catching a sunset and snowy hike.



Turning off HWY 180 I immediately encountered a few mule deer and stopped to watch them, but soon continued down the road.



First glance of the peaks


fenceline


Looking west towards Wing Mountain



continued

[ArizonaGunOwners.com]

[Slips73]

From the top of a small hill looking towards the west slope of the peaks.



With no where to turn around i backed up until i found a spot to pull of the road and headed off through the woods.



beautiful open expanses of snow covered fields, there was close to a foot or more of snow at this elevation.





looking back towards the mountains



continued

[Slips73]

Across the flat I stumbled upon an old cabin



With a nice front yard



And a comfortable front porch



I sat there for a little while until i felt the cold sinking in as the sun dropped and decided to walk back



And was treated to a vibrant sunset,



thanks for looking,

Adam

[JK357]

Awesome pics

[LuckyLeaky]

Especially that last picture...

[Tavorthom]

Thanks for the memories of the Harts Prairie area.  I used to hunt just north of there.  Hiked the area over 10 years.  Still looks beautiful in the snow.

[brandyspaw]

Thanks for posting those pictures.

Also, its good to know someone as young as you still appreciates the work of Everett Ruess.

[870policemag]

Awesome pics man.

[Slips73]

Thanks for posting those pictures.

Also, its good to know someone as young as you still appreciates the work of Everett Ruess.

Thanks! I actually grew up reading alot of his stuff, As well as Aldo Leupold, Gifford Pinchot and Edward Abbey, its what likely pushed me towards getting involved in Forestry and now I have a job lined up for the summer after only one year of college, and its good to see work paying off.

-Adam

[louie the lumberjack]

Nice pics.  I miss the high country. 

louie the lumberjack

[coelacanth]

Late spring in the high country.  Hart Prairie is awesome.   

[Guy1az]

Great to see those pics.  I forget what is just north of me sometimes.. It is great to be reminded in such a way.

[ItWasntMe]

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[ArizonaGunOwners.com]