A Sunrise Hike at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Maricopa County

Predawn Estrada Mountain Regional Park

At the end of January, I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Litchfield, AZ before visiting my aunt in Tempe. Although I deeply love the Blue Ridge mountains and our rainforest-like environment in North Carolina, I also have a deep affinity for the desert. First of all, the colors of sunrises and sunsets in the desert are more dramatic, and according to an article in Atlas Obscura (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/why-are-desert-sunsets-so-colorful) it is because clean dry air allows more vivid color wavelengths to shine through. Secondly, the landscape has so many interesting textures and it always surprises me how much is alive when you get up close, even though we often describe desserts as barren compared with other landscapes.

Saguro Cactus

Saguro cacti are fascinating and it is hard not to anthropomorphize them when looking at their reaching arms. The are the spirit of the southwest and symbolize endurance and seeing beyond what is visible with the naked eye. They also symbolize a mother’s love, because they provide shelter for many creatures in the landscape. According to alchemists who make flower essences, this cactus can help us trust our inner wisdom and aspire to be the best we can be. Having lost a mother recently and finding myself having to chart my own course without the enduring support I have always felt from her, communing with these succulent plants provided nourishment to my soul.

Everywhere there was a wash, trees and plants had taken purchase and flourished. They’d had a lot of rain recently, which was unusual and really caused the desert to come alive. Without the tall dense vegetation I am used to in forests, the cacti seemed to stand like sentinels watching over the surrounding environs. The air was cool and crisp and created a clarity to that which was revealed as the light climbed higher in the sky. I felt like a child again, looking in everywhere to see what would be elucidated next.

The Earth’s Shadow In View Behind the Mountain

When we turned around and glanced in a westerly direction, the earth’s shadow was apparent and the sky was bluish purple. Its reflection caused the sand to pick up these hues as well. I always feel so peaceful just after sunset or right before the sunrise when these cooler hues color the landscape.

There is such an elegance to the desert in the quiet light before the blazing sun bursts through. And then when the light does arrive, it is always subtle at first. The top of the mountain turned this beautiful reddish gold that contrasted with the green plants and yellow flowers that were only receiving incidental light and created their own radiance.

Sunrise Lighting Up Estrada Mountain

Desert Textures

In every direction, the light and vegetation created a beautiful tableaux. I knew my husband had to get to his conference on time, so I was more focused on what I wanted to make photographs of then I often am. (Usually, I am a very intuitive photographer.) Fortunately, we had hiked this same trail, among others, the afternoon before and I knew where my favorite plants were located and went straight to them, so as not to keep him waiting.

As the sun shone full on, the cacti seemed to become ablaze in the electric light. They turned gold and seemed to vibrate, as if on fire from all the energy they were receiving and reflecting back. I knew that soon the sun would overpower the vegetation and start to wash all the colors out. I’m afraid, despite my best efforts, that I stayed a bit longer than my husband wanted me to, since he really did have to get back in time for his meetings.

Dave jogging back for the conference

This was the last photo I took that morning, as evidence that he really was doing his best to get back in time, in case any of his colleagues wanted proof. He did make it and forgave me eventually. Good thing my recent eye surgery was successful and I can drive myself again when he’s busy. It truly was a beautiful walkabout that both calmed and energized our beings (except for the leaving a little late part). I miss wandering in the desert and look forward to more explorations in the future. There is always something new to discover.