Awesome trek, Ray. I’d like to follow in your footsteps. Until I get to Saddle Mtn, I’ll trek up another. Sorry Anne not able to come along. Best to ya both. Winn & Sheila - BkcntryRVer.
Hi Ray, I’m at the Saddle Mountain BLM right now and came across your video. I did a similar hike to yours and was determined to find the large oval stone with the petroglyphs. Hunted for a while, found others, but could not find the oval one. About to give up and turned around and there it was. Love your videos, keep them coming. Thanks, Carl, your fellow snowbird Canadian.
Great video Ray! We just spent 3 nights here and loved it. I retraced your hike. We had the trifecta of weather while here. Rain the first day, cold the second and then wind. Crazy spring here in AZ this year. We will bring our sxs next time and do more exploring. Keep up the great videos, enjoy your channel.
You did a fantastic job commenting and showing the beauty of the desert. The rocks that the campers left is not in alignment with the Leave No Trace principle which states "Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them." Having been married to southwest archaeologist, I learned quickly that if I picked anything up, I should put it back down in the exact same spot that I found it. For my own part, there is no improving on nature's beauty. Take only photos. Leave only footprints.
Thanks, this area seems to be popular with rockhounding enthusiasts looking for fire agates and chalcedony. I saw some carting off buckets of rocks after a days hunting. www.fireagate.us/fire-agate/saddlemountain.shtml
Ray loved tne video wondered why I wasn't with you then seen the veiw of our camp you took your hike when I was showing the folks where to find the rocks they were looking for. When your back this way let me know ,I would love to hike the mountains with you, Give my best to Ann,and thank you for shairing your camp with me.
Hey, I was there two days ago. Now back to Montreal in -20 C. I was looking for trails in the mountain. Now I understand there is no such trails just a road going around the mountain and you have to make your own trail. We were there when it had been raining for a whole day so everything was very muddy. I almost got stuck in the mud with my rental RV. This is where I used my winter driving skills to get myself out of my site. Ho yes I met a Ottawa guy over there . He said he met you some days before and apparently your are as nice in person as in your videos.
Sounds like I left at the right time. :) I found one published trail but it looked like one to climb the mountain and is listed as difficult - www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/saddle-mountain-trail--2?u=m Cheers! Ray
11:10 - That is a cool new hiking pole indeed! When I first got a glimpse of it I thought it was a monopod you had brought along with you. Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993 😀. The pole was probably made in either the Czech Republic or Slovakia.
Keeping balance, something to lean on, helping to pull me up steep sections and as a third leg when coming down a steep section, also good for poking at stuff to inspect things and can be used for protection.
Nice hike Ray! You have the endurance of a mountain goat. I sure wish I could still hike like that. After nearly 40 years in the building trades, my knees are completely worn out.
I enjoyed this video from beginning to end, especially because you're showing me plants and mountains and land I've not seen. Thank you, Ray. Godspeed.
Ray, I had some chronic joint pain so last March I started the ketogenic diet, added in some fasting, cleared all the pain away! As we get older (me 53) we can’t eat like we used to, I see so many people dealing with pain without thinking outta the box a little. TH-cam has tons of videos on it and they know a lot more than I do but just thought I’d mention it. Enjoying your southern winter trek, hopefully be out there by 2021! Will see...
I was just handheld, the Balance Optical Stabilization System is really good on the new camcorder, was a big feature that made me choose the Sony AX53.
Great video. Loved it! Don't know if you've already done one, but a video idea might be to talk about plant hazards with AZ desert hiking. I remember someone talking about a spiny plant that you don't want to accidentally bump. Just curious about all that.
Thanks! Yes its called a Cholla, worse one is the Teddy Bear or Jumping Cholla. I've talked about them a few times - th-cam.com/video/MhrydClGEQs/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/b1nVr68jiMk/w-d-xo.html Cheers, Ray
That was a nice hike. I loved the view from the top. I also love Anne’s pics of the hearts, some creative people did some nice work on those. Enjoy your stay there, hi to Anne.
I believe your rock tower is called a "HooDoo", kinda cool.. Nice videos again.. Love following you here in LTV Quartzite. Huffed and puffed just watching.
HI Ray, I'm at Saddle Mountain now. I told my daughter and girlfriend that I'd try to agates for them. Could you please tell me where to.find them here? Thx.
Somebody told me there are good hunting grounds to the east over towards the hydro lines. Here is a helpful video as well - th-cam.com/video/kGFa-PZkArQ/w-d-xo.html and check his videos page for a few more - th-cam.com/channels/WKVI9Yhm0cMPl9-TDcPCgw.htmlvideos Happy Hunting. :)
Nice video to keep us looking forward to when we can get out, once we get a break in our work. Looks like a good dispersed camping area. That rock wall may have been a hunting blind. Often used in saddle areas where game would pass by. The white rock that you showed is Chalcedony but has a super odd pronunciation-cal-sydney. Cheers
Hi Ray-We love to watch your videos. Very informative and gorgeous views. Do you think you could give us a night sky view of the stars? We love to stargaze. Never been out in the desert to see the stars. Would love to see them. Thanks!!!
I work just east of there at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and I live in Phoenix. I've been thinking about taking my trailer over there to do a little camping and hiking. Looks like a really quiet spot to relax without having to travel too far from home.
Maybe looked closer than it is, gotta be at least a 100 yards between us. You can't just park anywhere, suppose to keep to previously used campsites. Most are quite spread apart here so that's nice.
Hi Ray, my wife and I bought ebikes with full suspension and as you were walking along that trail, I thought it would be great place for an ebike. Have you thought of getting these, or perhaps just a conventional mountain bike?
Not this time of year, they are hibernating. I've been wintering in the southwest for 7 years now and haven't even seen or heard a snake. End of March and into April they usually start to come back out but I've moved up in elevation by then chasing cooler weather.
I always find Petroglyphs so interesting.
Very nice place for hiking !!!
That was very cool. Thank you for sharing.
Best video yet!
Awesome trek, Ray. I’d like to follow in your footsteps. Until I get to Saddle Mtn, I’ll trek up another. Sorry Anne not able to come along. Best to ya both. Winn & Sheila - BkcntryRVer.
Hi Ray, I’m at the Saddle Mountain BLM right now and came across your video. I did a similar hike to yours and was determined to find the large oval stone with the petroglyphs. Hunted for a while, found others, but could not find the oval one. About to give up and turned around and there it was. Love your videos, keep them coming. Thanks, Carl, your fellow snowbird Canadian.
Awesome! :)
Great video Ray! We just spent 3 nights here and loved it. I retraced your hike. We had the trifecta of weather while here. Rain the first day, cold the second and then wind. Crazy spring here in AZ this year. We will bring our sxs next time and do more exploring. Keep up the great videos, enjoy your channel.
Awesome, glad you had a good time. :)
You did a fantastic job commenting and showing the beauty of the desert. The rocks that the campers left is not in alignment with the Leave No Trace principle which states "Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them." Having been married to southwest archaeologist, I learned quickly that if I picked anything up, I should put it back down in the exact same spot that I found it. For my own part, there is no improving on nature's beauty. Take only photos. Leave only footprints.
Thanks, this area seems to be popular with rockhounding enthusiasts looking for fire agates and chalcedony. I saw some carting off buckets of rocks after a days hunting.
www.fireagate.us/fire-agate/saddlemountain.shtml
Ray loved tne video wondered why I wasn't with you then seen the veiw of our camp you took your hike when I was showing the folks where to find the rocks they were looking for. When your back this way let me know ,I would love to hike the mountains with you, Give my best to Ann,and thank you for shairing your camp with me.
Thanks, Martin, you bet. Cheers! Ray
Just stumbled on this vid. Nicely done. Saddle Mountain is a favorite of mine. 😊 --Mark
Thanks :) Great spot to camp. Cheers, Ray
Hey, I was there two days ago. Now back to Montreal in -20 C. I was looking for trails in the mountain. Now I understand there is no such trails just a road going around the mountain and you have to make your own trail.
We were there when it had been raining for a whole day so everything was very muddy. I almost got stuck in the mud with my rental RV. This is where I used my winter driving skills to get myself out of my site. Ho yes I met a Ottawa guy over there . He said he met you some days before and apparently your are as nice in person as in your videos.
Sounds like I left at the right time. :) I found one published trail but it looked like one to climb the mountain and is listed as difficult - www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/saddle-mountain-trail--2?u=m Cheers! Ray
Thanks, Ray, that was great.
11:10 - That is a cool new hiking pole indeed! When I first got a glimpse of it I thought it was a monopod you had brought along with you. Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993 😀. The pole was probably made in either the Czech Republic or Slovakia.
Whoops, oh yeah! showing my age. :)
Nice video, thanks for taking me along. What do you use the walking stick for?
Keeping balance, something to lean on, helping to pull me up steep sections and as a third leg when coming down a steep section, also good for poking at stuff to inspect things and can be used for protection.
Nice hike Ray! You have the endurance of a mountain goat. I sure wish I could still hike like that. After nearly 40 years in the building trades, my knees are completely worn out.
Great change of pace. Thank You. :-))
Great video. Loved the views you had. I like the Google Earth explanation too. Gives you perspective. Thanks for sharing
Beautiful video Ray thank you, the desert special beauty
Nice,
I enjoyed this video from beginning to end, especially because you're showing me plants and mountains and land I've not seen. Thank you, Ray.
Godspeed.
You're welcome. :)
That's some amazing looking terrain! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ray! Great vid!
The desert is a very special place!
Certainly your best video this year.
Thanks Ray! Always enjoy your videos.
Looks like a nice area. Thanks for sharing your hike and views.
Good to see you & visit the other day! Nice views you sure went higher than we did on that hike! Nice views!
We camped near those hearts about 1.5 months back. We are heading back there in a week. It is a great area.
Ray: Another nice video…. Looks like some great opportunity for Macro photography for Anne. Hopefully I’ll be there in March to do some.
Yes, a good place for stars too.
l@@LoveYourRV ; Thats in my plan as wel !
Thanks for taking me on the hike Ray.
Ray, I guess you need 1 hand free for the camera, but two treking poles make a big difference.
I've always like to have a hand free to grab onto trees and rocks and things like that, so don't like doing it with two poles. Cheers, Ray
@@LoveYourRV Of course, I you had two poles you wouldn't need to. :-)
To each his own I guess, guess I'm used to having a dog on a leash with me too.
Ray, I had some chronic joint pain so last March I started the ketogenic diet, added in some fasting, cleared all the pain away! As we get older (me 53) we can’t eat like we used to, I see so many people dealing with pain without thinking outta the box a little. TH-cam has tons of videos on it and they know a lot more than I do but just thought I’d mention it. Enjoying your southern winter trek, hopefully be out there by 2021! Will see...
Thanks, I'll let her know. Cheers! Ray
Super video loved the hike ,
Great video, Ray. Do you support the camera or just handheld? Amazingly steady on the long shots.
I was just handheld, the Balance Optical Stabilization System is really good on the new camcorder, was a big feature that made me choose the Sony AX53.
Great video. Loved it! Don't know if you've already done one, but a video idea might be to talk about plant hazards with AZ desert hiking. I remember someone talking about a spiny plant that you don't want to accidentally bump. Just curious about all that.
Thanks! Yes its called a Cholla, worse one is the Teddy Bear or Jumping Cholla. I've talked about them a few times - th-cam.com/video/MhrydClGEQs/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/b1nVr68jiMk/w-d-xo.html Cheers, Ray
That was a nice hike. I loved the view from the top.
I also love Anne’s pics of the hearts, some creative people did some nice work on those.
Enjoy your stay there, hi to Anne.
Nice video, Ray! Man, I miss Arizona. . . loved it there!!!
Great video. Love hiking videos. You did a great job. Makes me tired watching. Lol
So many people think the desert is just sand and heat. It's so much more than that! Thank you for taking us on your hike!
What was the elevation? You are really breathing hard. Thanks for the videos
Around 2500 feet, I was moving a good clip to try and get a bit of a work out in. Cheers, Ray
Ray.... I am sure I speak for many.... thank you for your efforts in making these great videos.
Yours is the second hike up there I have seen today...enjoyed it this time too !
Cool! :)
Awesome Ray. :) So glad you did this video. Gorgeous and capturing the glory. Michael
I believe your rock tower is called a "HooDoo", kinda cool.. Nice videos again.. Love following you here in LTV Quartzite. Huffed and puffed just watching.
HI Ray, I'm at Saddle Mountain now. I told my daughter and girlfriend that I'd try to agates for them. Could you please tell me where to.find them here? Thx.
Somebody told me there are good hunting grounds to the east over towards the hydro lines. Here is a helpful video as well - th-cam.com/video/kGFa-PZkArQ/w-d-xo.html and check his videos page for a few more - th-cam.com/channels/WKVI9Yhm0cMPl9-TDcPCgw.htmlvideos Happy Hunting. :)
@@LoveYourRV Wow, thanks for the fast reply!
What a fun hike and beautiful location. The Petroglyphs are so fascinating. You find the BEST BLM camping spots Ray. How cool!
Have a great day!
😀🌈😀🌈😀
Awesome view Ray, thank you for showing me what and Ocotillo cactus looks like in real life, I live in the Florida Keys on Ocotillo Lane. LOL
Nice video to keep us looking forward to when we can get out, once we get a break in our work. Looks like a good dispersed camping area.
That rock wall may have been a hunting blind. Often used in saddle areas where game would pass by. The white rock that you showed is Chalcedony but has a super odd pronunciation-cal-sydney.
Cheers
Thanks. :)
Hi Ray-We love to watch your videos. Very informative and gorgeous views. Do you think you could give us a night sky view of the stars? We love to stargaze. Never been out in the desert to see the stars. Would love to see them. Thanks!!!
I work just east of there at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and I live in Phoenix. I've been thinking about taking my trailer over there to do a little camping and hiking. Looks like a really quiet spot to relax without having to travel too far from home.
Yes, nice spot.
Been to Craggy wash?
Yes, about 5 years ago, it was pretty in there. I hear it can get fairly busy at times, being so close to Havasu City. Cheers, Ray
WHEW, you got me tired during that hike and I'm sitting in my lazy boy !
Ray, good video, do you carry any protection with you while hiking? Should have some critters out there. Be careful.
Lots of rocks around. ;)
What kind of critters?
Were you holding a camera AND a walking stick... wonderful views, sorry Anne couldn't join you, she missed some great shots.
Yes, some of the time. I have a special strap for the camera to let it go when the going gets tough.
“Keep boring us to death Ray” Thanks for showing us the petroglyphs and the old campsite 🏕
haha, will do. Cheers!
The plant name is Encelia and is often called California Brittle Bush. It is related to the Coreopolis. (nerd flash)!
Thanks!
Another nerd flash, Chalcedony is your basic chemical Si02 for quartz but of a purer form.
Your in a desert wastland and 2 RVs park close?
Maybe looked closer than it is, gotta be at least a 100 yards between us. You can't just park anywhere, suppose to keep to previously used campsites. Most are quite spread apart here so that's nice.
Hi Ray, my wife and I bought ebikes with full suspension and as you were walking along that trail, I thought it would be great place for an ebike. Have you thought of getting these, or perhaps just a conventional mountain bike?
We've carried bikes around before but found them a hassle to transport during months of travel.
do you ever lose your RV?
Not so far. :)
Aren’t you worried about snakes?
Not this time of year, they are hibernating. I've been wintering in the southwest for 7 years now and haven't even seen or heard a snake. End of March and into April they usually start to come back out but I've moved up in elevation by then chasing cooler weather.
Very cool Ray. Was that video shot with your new super duper video camera?
Yes, I'll likely have a review out soon, now that I've had a chance to use it a while. Cheers! Ray
Beautiful, but not the same hiking without Angie. Sorry for your loss of a wounderful member your family.
How long of a hike was that, looks like a food trek
Not long, about an hour or so, kept a good pace.
RAY did you see my house from up their, live in tonopah on 2 acres
Rain expected tomorrow so u may get some rain.
Lush vegetation??? Snakes????
Too cold for the snakes to be active, they hibernate in the winter for the most part.
did you see any nude hikers over where you hiked, warning signs where vans were parked about nude hikers
Thankfully, no, but have seen the sign. rvhappyhour.com/wp-content/uploads/rtMedia/users/1/2019/01/Notice-Nude-Hikers.jpg
Thats hilarious!
Ok Ray, who are the handful of trolls that always down-vote??
haha, must be my family!
@@LoveYourRV They must be like mine then.... :))
City slickers who hate nature.
Ray you do know that four-wheel drive will drive you there instead of walking. You need to get more lazy. LOL
Oh ya!