First, the quest to find the elephant tree.  Soft sand and big smooth stones make the access road too treacherous.  We have to walk the last ½ mile to the trail head.  We are actually out on an ancient alluvial fan winding our way through smooth rounded stones heaped in rows where raging water left them many years ago.  One can’t help but be impressed by the power of water!  One more zig or maybe zag and we come upon the one remaining living elephant tree on the trail.  Pretty cool shape and amazing anything that big can survive here; but I can’t see why they call it an elephant tree.

In the desert where there is water there is wildlife.  I am anxious to check out the trail to Yaqui Well to see who might be hanging out there.  We wind our way through a great cluster of green leaved ocotillo with bright red blossoms like flags on the stalks.  No critters to be heard or seen.  We move on.  At about a mile in we hear sparrows and the sharp tweet of the P2 moving among the mesquite.  Ok, sounds like the water theory might be a good one.  We walk on, turn one last corner and find…..a sign that says area closed for restoration!  There is no artesian well here, no impoundment for wildlife, just a damp depression in the desert soil.  I am bummed.  We explore the area a little more but leave the area and retrace our steps settling for a nice walk in the desert sans local fauna.  Check out the cool old fresh-air potty. Wait, is Wilson in the Women’s Room?