Mossy Cave Trail features a waterfall, cave, flowers and hoodoos and is only 4 miles from our “summer home.” Photo credit: Rose Muenker
Short and scenic Mossy Cave Trail draws Highway 12 travelers out of their cars and into Water Canyon for an easy hike among hoodoos to a cave and small waterfall. We explored it when evening sunlight brought out the rocks’ rich array of colors.
A short waterfall cascades in Water Canyon. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
A stream of water — always a welcome sight in these parts — serenaded the canyon. I love the intimacy of this canyon! As I basked in the peacefulness of that evening hour, I chose the rock I’ll perch on during journal writing getaways.
The trail leads to a small waterfall and a cave lined with rich green moss. The tenaciousness of vegetation in this rugged desert climate amazes me. Trees anchor themselves in crevasses and delicate flowers sprout from rock walls.
A delicate flower grows on a rock wall near Mossy Cave. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
Even more amazing are the fascinating formations sculpted by the elements that manage not to topple. At least not yet!
Spindle legs support a bulbous rock atop a Water Canyon wall. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
At the end of the groomed trail, we scaled up a slope for a view of the surroundings. A healthy Bristlecone pine graced the scene. Unlike the Bristlecone pines I was accustomed to seeing in the Rocky Mountains, this one has not been twisted or dwarfed by the wind.
The rich green of a Bristlecone pine contrasts with the red and golden hues of the rock formations. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
It’s always fun to catch a bird’s-eye view of our surroundings. But when I come back, I’ll stay down by the stream, listening to the symphony of running water, breezes and birds.
