An impromptu hike near Butterfield Canyon.

We didn't want to share the Parkway with 10,000 other people yesterday so we thought we could walk the road up Butterfield Canyon.  The only problem?  The road was opened a week early this year!  Change of plans!  We instead found some single track at the base and followed it a distance to an abandoned mine shaft.  This all worked out for the best, the scenery and experience was epic.

Skyler started out leading but I soon took over due to the risk of rattle snakes on the trail.  We never saw any.  Whew!

Gorgeous!

Heading up the rear was Mommy.

Scrub oak awesomeness.

Juniper joy.

Globe Mallow with a bee.

The haul trucks at the mine were rather loud using their dynamic braking.

Meadow in the distance between the trees.  Note the Prickly Pear cactus.

Some high desert greatness complete with a hawk flying overhead. 

Indian Paintbrush.

Closeup of another.

Juniper new growth.

Hard to believe this gem is only 15 minutes away.  Our fair city in the distance.

Mine shaft!

It looked to have been closed off for quite some time.  Also, people are awful with their garbage.  :(

Skyler for scale.  I'm pretty sure he was eating the entire time we were hiking.

I stuck my magic iPhone in to take this picture.  Skyler was thrilled.

Another (higher) view of our fair city.

Maizey had a stimulating time.  Look at how green everything is!