Bob and I made a couple of trips into the El Pasos, also called the Black Mountains. It isn't my favorite hiking as it can be brutally hot, and there are many knee twisting lava rocks. The human history though, is very interesting.
On our first trip we were looking for mariposa lilies. We did eventually find a few and we explored a bit finding a very scenic rock formation that we turned into an interesting loop. We also noticed the hoofed locusts, sheep, were out in force, and evidence of their destruction was widespread.
On our second trip we climbed to the top of Black Mountain. We were lucky and the temperature was perfect. Once again I was impressed with all the house rings. They seem to be everywhere. This trip it struck me that the rectangular squares were fields. It looks like the original population were farmers. If so, what were they raising? Chia or one of the onion family members come to mind. Speaking of onions, we found Spanish Needle Onion on top. A new location for this limited range species.
 |
| Thistle Sage |
 |
| Mojave Aster |
 |
| Brittle bush |
 |
| A splash of coreopsis. |
 |
| Snake's Head |
 |
| Apricote Mallow |
 |
| Mariposa Lily |
On our second hike we had a small group as it is possible to social distance hike. Plenty of space to spread out as we worked our way to the top, or other points.
 |
| A new meaning to group photo. |
 |
| Bob, a house ring, and Bob |
 |
| Amy |
 |
| These look like small field plots to me and they extend up and down the mountain. |
 |
| I think this looks like terraced fields. |
 |
| Spanish Needle Onion |
 |
| Phacilia |
 |
| Desert Parsley |
 |
| House ring and Black Mountain and Bob |
 |
| Hedgehog Cactus |
