Full disclosure: I did not want to visit this park. It was a long drive on a dirt road and I had concerns over endless washboard roads. I was wrong. The dirt road was smoother than some of the paved roads we traversed so far in this trip. The weather was perfect, scenery was good and Leann got to look at birds. Only downside, there were not many trails. We found enough to keep us happy and since we had been pounding out the miles easier hikes were probably a good thing.
We liked the campground and once again there were not many people.
We went for a short hike behind camp to look at a few rock formations.
Not sure how much longer this will be standing.
Park map
The next morning we drove and hiked the park roads in search of birds.
BIRDS, no idea what they are but I am sure Leann knows.
This is west side of refuge. There are dirt roads that switchback up the mountains to the pass. I am pretty sure they were not designed for camper vans.
Over 200 springs feed the marsh along the western edge of the refuge. This is Cave Creek, we could hear the water running but I could not get a good view of the cave or the creek.
Cave Creek: The area was bone dry but I was surprised how much the creek was flowing. It takes a lot of water to feed the marshes and lakes.
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE