Panorama Views On The Hidden Pasture Trail In The Little Rincon Mountains by kenne


Images by kenne
There’s a special place on the east side of the Rincon Mountains, named “Happy Valley.”
A primitive road goes past ranches as the terrain and vegetation evolve, creating a picturesque kaleidoscope of nature’s beauty.
The road slowly narrows with several curves lined with large cottonwoods, oaks, and sycamore trees, forming a belt along a fence-line above the trees.
On a previous trip into Happy Valley, we had identified a lone railroad post as a marker on the fence above a grove of trees where we could leave our car. Approaching the marker-post, we hiked the fence-line up through waist-high thorny bushes till reaching the gate to the Hidden Pasture Trail. Located in the Little Rincon Mountains, the trail slowly leads us through a maze of beautiful rock formations and scenic views.
The trail is not heavily used and can be difficult to follow, causing frequent misdirected diversions — not a problem as long as we followed a line parallel to Ash Creek, which snakes up the canyon below North Star Peak.
The views are superb — Enjoy!
— kenne