Doesn’t this sound like fun?

2.2 miles with a 1050 foot elevation change then back down? We checked out Telegraph Pass trail.  Most of the elevation is gained on really steep sections of a paved access road that winds its way up to a cluster of towers at the mountain top.  It is really prettier than it sounds since the road and trail follow a rugged wash dotted with cactus.

Views from the top were pretty amazing even through a bit of the dust caused haze. Rich green of irrigated fields lies in stark contrast to the red ragged mountains.

We stopped to catch our breath near the top and a humming bird entertained us among the ocotillo blooms. As we neared the very top a faint bleat drifted up from below.  Again.  Again.  No sign of the source until a young Big Horn Sheep lamb appeared atop a nearby ridge.  Adorable.  He disappeared as quickly as he arrived.  We hung out hoping he would make another appearance but no such luck.

The lamb stayed in hiding but a ram posed beautifully on the ridge high above us as we made our way back down. It was a pretty good hike and the critters made it even better.