La Madre Springs

Date: 3/24/2007
Distance: 4.1
Elevation: 1081
Location: Red Rock Canyon
Who Tagged Along: Amy, Cami, Taryn

This was a great afternoon hike. We started by off roading a short distance. We then got out of the truck and loaded up. We soon passed a young couple that were coming out of a large wash. They told us that there were some Big Horn Sheep not far up the wash, so we decided to go for a detour.

Quick break while in the wash

Sure enough, about 10 minutes later we looked up and some 5 or 6 Big Horn sheep on the side of the wash. They were sunning themselves and giving us the cold shoulder.

It is hard to seem them, but there are two standing in the middle of the picture....I promise.

Cami enjoyed seeing them once she was able to figure out where they were. How do you explain to a 3 year old distances and elevations?

We then headed back to the trail to resume our trek to the springs.

The trail followed some white sandstone hills appropriately named the White Hills. There is a long loop that goes around them we may try someday in the future.

The White Hills

After about a 2 mile hike with a descent ascent (especially lugging 35 extra pounds - no not my belly, Cami) , we made it to the springs. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much water was in the spring. Often times, there isn't much in the desert and it seems to be very seasonal.

According to some signs, the springs have been flowing for hundreds of years and make their way out of the La Madre mountains. Many people in the past have used the springs, most recently several homesteaders. They had even dammed up the springs to form a small pool.

The thing that amazes me is that the even found them. They must have spent a ton of time wondering around the hills.

After stopping and taking a snack break, we headed for home, singing primary songs as we went.

Snack Break

Cami and Me at the Springs