We'd had enough of the depressing Coronavirus news and decided to take the Governor up on his suggestion to get outdoors and recreate! Hiking to the top of Gray Knoll, just outside of Apple Valley was our choice. It had been close to twenty years since the last time we had been atop this small cinder cone. Once we had soaked in the surrounding views, we decided to work our way down to Little Creek and follow it back up to our 4Runner. Turned out to be a great plan that helped lift some of "heaviness" of the pandemic . . . if only for a day!
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| With self-isolation and social distancing regulations in place, we knew Little Creek Mountain area would be a good place to go explore |
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| We kept our distance from each other, except for Chipper . . . he doesn't have a clue! Looking north towards Smithsonian Butte (behind Kent) and Zion's West Temple in the distance |
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| I zoomed in on Zion's West Temple . . . it looks so majestic as it towers over the surrounding landscape |
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| Benchmark for Gray Knoll 5511 ft . . . also known as Little Creek Knoll (or Little Cinder Mountain) |
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| Standing on top of Gray Knoll . . . 6 ft. apart! |
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| We came across some petrified wood scattered on a ledge above the creek |
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| Thick moss covered the lava rock ledges that were facing west |
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| Colorful lichen |
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| It's just a seasonal stream . . . still a fun find in our desert landscape |
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| Star moss |
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| We sat on the rocks, watching and listening as the trickling stream flowed past us . . . and out of sight. . . |
