This weekend was a nice getaway to First Creek just off highway 159 - also known as Blue Diamond Rd and Red Rock Canyon Rd.
The hike up to the springs are about 1.5 miles and reasonably uphill all the way, although the grade is not too bad.
On
the way up the trail the ground is what you'd expect to see, mostly
desert, cactus, and rocks, not very interesting. Once you are about 3/4
the way to the spring you begin to see definite changes if you walk
along the wash.
The picture above features grape vines growing within a cactus. Not too often you will see this and it's very interesting.
The further you move up the more lush the wash becomes. Once there is sitting water the plants begin to flourish.
For
me what's really great is to see pine trees come into the mix. We're
still at a desert elevation and pine trees are reasonably scarce, but
birds must have deposited these seeds many years ago and the sees took
root. Even in the upper elevations and on the other side of the Spring
Mountains you really don't see very many pine trees. There are a few
near springs, but they're very sparce.
Like
at the Spring Mountain Ranch there are some large patches of grape
vines growing wildly. In you look around you will find some of them
actually have fruit. Since these grapes grow wildly they put most of
their energy into their leaves and vines so it's not very often we see
fruit.
There are also a number of old-growth trees, some are dead, but many are surviving as long as the spring continues to run.
First
Creek doesn't look like much of a hike from the road, but when you take
the trail all the way up you will often be surprised by how nice it is.
If you go during the Spring you will often find many frogs throughout as they work on their courtships.
First
Creek is located off of Blue Diamond Rd / Red Rock Canyon Rd just North
of Spring Mountain Ranch. There's a large pull-off on the South Side
(viewing towards the mountains) of the road.
Enjoy First Creek.
