After our butterfly walk earlier today we are quite hungry so we decide to find something to eat at the restaurant at the AZ Snowbowl before the hike we have planned later. If only we can find parking, it seems really busy and when it seems we have found a parking place they are actually reserved by staff. Finally at one end we find a place which for good reason is empty as it looks dangerous but we make it and then it is time to walk to the restaurant and see if there are any seats available.
There is no snow but the gondola is still working taking visitors up to see the surrounding area from above. The restaurant is a weird one, while we find a place to sit there are no servers and we have to order via an app, surprisingly it works and we are able to get some basic food to tide us over during the hike.
Next we plan a hike on the Kachina Trail which is quite nearby. Surprisingly the parking lot is much more empty and even though rain clouds seem to come in we decide to hike and take a risk and see what will happen. Worst case we have some rain ponchos with us, which should help us in case it starts to rain.
The full trail is about five miles long and we plan to do about half of it if the weather holds. And at first it seems that it actually it will, the sun comes out and we are happy that the trail is through the trees with some shade.
This section is quite beautiful and level and we even see some birds including a beautiful wren holding a fat bug in its mouth and doing its best to impress any possible suitors. Or so we think.
To our surprise we find quite a few butterflies also on this trail, surprise because there are relatively few and small meadows. The most special one is a police car type moth that another participant in the butterfly walk just described to us earlier.
And then the trail enters the wilderness and here it becomes a bit less flat and more wild. Still it continues to be quite enjoyable even though there are many other people hiking it so there is no solitude really.
There are some nice sections passing through ferns and through aspen stands but no mushrooms and no more birds or butterflies even though we continue to look for them.
And then the trail starts to descent quite dramatically and we decide that this is a good enough turnaround point after catching our breath. Here it also starts to rain slowly at first and then more seriously with the rain ponchos proving again their utility as we start our return hike to the parking.
The rain is on and off so there are times when we can walk without the ponchos and just enjoy the nature. Most animals and birds also seem to come out during these breaks, like beautiful chipmunks and juncos and with most people already retreating to the parking we have the forest to ourselves. And then we are also back at the parking and it is time for the long drive home after a long and beautiful day out at high altitudes.
