View From a Ridge Above the Salt River

Nice walk on a warm day

Yesterday I needed to chill out and get some outdoors time. I decided to drive up Bush Highway to Coon Bluff and take a stroll up to the ridge overlooking the Salt River. The views let me stretch out my horizons and place myself in perspective.

Zoomed in photo of Four Peaks Mountain from trail

It was a bit windy and the air was surprisingly clear. The breezes from the west sometimes pile up Phoenix’s smog against the mountains and mess up the more distant views. Four Peaks is approximately 22 linear miles from Coon Bluff.

View from the ridge to the east. Four Peaks is in the far background. The Salt River flows from the center-left to exit via a shaded canyon at right.

I’ve been returning to this ridge for twenty years. There are several unmarked but well traveled trails popular with hikers, trail bikers and horseback riders. I had it all to myself yesterday.

View to the west towards Mount McDowell (left) and Arizona Dam Butte located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

The photo caption above mentions Arizona Dam Butte and it refers to the original dam that diverted water to the Phoenix area canals. The Phoenix canals generally follow more ancient hand dug canals built by the descendents of the Pimas. The Arizona Dam was abandoned when the newer Granite Reef Dam was built just downstream.

The view to the south. Usery Mountain at right with Goldfield Mountains at left and Superstition Mountain in center background.

It was great to get out and see the long views but it was sad to see how dry the desert is this winter. If we don’t get rain soon I’m afraid that it will be a bad wildfire season.

May your pace be slow and include many stops to look around

Adios