Red Hills

In retrospect I would have enjoyed my visit to the Red Hills a lot more had I better calibrated my expectations. Anticipating a vivid display of unusual spring wildflowers, I instead encountered a rugged, rather hostile terrain, dominated by a monoculture of pine and buckbrush, with a fair-to-middling bloom of poppies and clarkia, in pockets here and there. What I should have appreciated more was the stark beauty of that terrain... I see that now in my photos. Tips to visitors: (1) The trails are poorly marked. Bring a map and compass, and plenty of water. (2) It was 90 degrees on an April afternoon. Did I say bring plenty of water? I did, and I was glad for it.