This morning about 10:00 we drove up-river a couple of miles to explore the hiking trails in Buckskin Mountain State Park, AZ. The temperature was in the mid 60s with bright sunshine - another beautiful day. We will visit many state parks over the next couple of weeks because our annual pass that we bought last winter is valid into March.

The entrance to the park is adjacent to the Colorado River and the trail system starts there (it is visible in the black rock zig-zagging up to the left).

The trail we chose wasn't all that long (a mile +) but it included a lot of vertical. This was the first test of our hiking legs and lungs this season, and we didn't do all that well although we really enjoyed the vistas.

The scenery is dramatic - lots of bare rock with occasional saguaro, cholla, palo verde, and other desert plants.

The heat really got to us. When we left the temperature was very pleasant in the 60s but by the end of our hike it was 80 degrees. We took a lot of water with us but that doesn't compensate for being in shape for this kind activity in these temperatures. We'll keep working at it over the next many weeks. Regardless, the cold beer back at the trailer along with a shower were wonderful.