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Fall Hike and Photos by Dale Kesel
Click photos for larger size
Wild West History and Beauty all in One Day-Trip
Autumn is an ideal time for a trip to the West of Phoenix, in the vicinity of Wickenburg. However, if you are not careful,
you could miss two gems of this historical area of our state.
On Arizona route 60, about 40 miles northwest of the Sun City area of Phoenix and about 5 miles South of Wickenburg, is a little-known
pearl of desert called the Hassayampa River Preserve. This area is the only place where the Hassayampa river (which flows for
100 miles, primarily underground) comes to the surface and is accessible to birds, wildlife, hikers and photographers.
The preserve features a couple of buildings-one a Pueblo Style Gallery featuring images of the area shot by various people who have visited the area with camera in hand.
One the preserve are several miles of trails winding around the crystal clear water of the Hassayampa River. The river creates a lush living environment
for foliage and a variety of birds and wildlife.
We arrived at opening time-about 8:30 AM. As we struck out on the trail along the Hassayampa, we came to an open area where the river was lined with cottonwoods. The time of year and day was perfect. The golden leaves on the trees were lit from behind, creating a spectacular display of color. The water created a reflecting pool, which repeated the image of the trees.
As we continued on the trail, we came to some marsh areas where the river narrowed and was lined by long lush grass and cattails.
As we looked back to the east, the ribbon of water passing through the grass was lit up along the edge, turning the edge of the water into a lightning-like line of
brilliant light.
Continuing on our journey, we passed through a dense area of mesquite trees. The dark black bark contrasted beautiflly
with the lush green grass. The low morning sun created beautiful diagnoal patterns on the grass.
We completed our journey back at the quaint buildings on the preserve where Denise Bohling, one of the students on the trip, captured this striking image of the stone wall and hand hewn wood gate as the light danced acreoss the surface of the
different, yet complimentary textures and colors.
If you would like more information on the Hassayampa River Preserve, call 928-684-2772
If you would like to put together a group to go on this hike and would like the company of and direction from a professional
photographer, please contact me at:
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