high point trail – last stretch
location: high point trail, red cliffs desert reserve, st. george, utah
conditions: off cottonwood springs rd / old dump rd (black gulch trailhead)
we’d checked out a few trails the morning of October 25th. nothing urgent, just wandering, letting the girls stretch their legs—meant to be a quick scope at the trailhead, you know, just see what’s what. maybe come back for a longer hike or bike ride when joints and attitudes felt up for it.
old age and spinal arthritis had other plans. slapped us in the face, hard and fast, a few days later. plans for “next time” evaporated. and suddenly we were left saying goodbye, forever, to our baby and trail partner tove. desert light has felt a bit different after that.
highlights (aka distractions for sore hearts)
yellow flashes — desert marigold, probably, stubborn and loud
long, dancing grasses — demanding photographic attention
purple asters — little disco accents pushing through rosette leaves
orange globemallow — easy to spot, easier to admire
low, white desert spurge — sticking close to rocks, probably smarter than all of us
bonus: globemallow cluster, a sun riot on the rocks
terrain notes
sandy, rocky, flat-ish. not much elevation gain, but every bump counts when the pack gets older. dog approval ratings fine for our gals, except for the holes (existential and otherwise).
for fellow wanderers
bring water. stay humble. desert trails don’t care about your backstory.
if you’re here with old dogs, take extra photos.
leave no trace but maybe a few quiet memories.
extra pics
tove — our trail partner, explorer, and heart
onx backcountry map
sometimes the last hike looks like an ordinary morning. desert, dogs, your favorite person, just stretching out. nobody tells you this is the memory you’ll replay—and nobody warns you how sharp it turns if you blink.