From Copper to Aluminum -- Hiking from Copper Canyon to the Aluminum Yucca on Interstate 40 3/2/2018

Ginny repeated a hike that had to be cancelled a few years ago due to a snowstorm. (This winter we don't even know what snow looks like!) That gave us a great chance to get up close and personal to an Albuquerque icon -- the giant aluminium yucca greeting travellers heading into Albuquerque on Interstate 40.  We all thought it would be higher on the mountain than it was, and it was also a lot bigger than we expected it to be.   It made for an interesting hike along the southern Sandia foothills.  We had a great turnout...14 Hoofers and 2 guests enjoying the bright blue sky and the brilliant sunshine!

First row: Annette, Lynda, Judy A., Julie (Carol's guest) , Marilyn. Back row: Carol, Jean, Ginny--our leader,  Helene,  Annie, (Judy A.'s guest) Mary M., Betty, Charlotte, Jan, Kelly

and Rose (after 3 tries trying to get that crowd in a selfie with me)

Heading out

Beautiful Blue Sky

Lynda posing with guest, Julie

U Mound with the Sandia Mountains in the distance

Overlooking Albuquerque

A perfectly flat rock forming the trail

Lynda walking on the flat rock

Interstate 40 with Four Hills in the distance

Meandering on the trail

Getting closer to our destination

There it is, the -- Aluminum Yucca

Guarding the Yucca is this rock with a chin like Jay Leno's

Getting  a glimpse of the size of the yucca

The leaves are not round but one sided shaped like real yucca leaves

Taking a lunch/water break

Taking a portrait for Julie to show everyone back home

Group picture

Heading back

 

The pink inclusions in this rock are feldspar and they are what give the Sandia Mountains there rosy glow at sunset.

I noticed and was curious about the markings that looked like H's.   They looked like someone cut them into the rock

Another fascinating rock that looks like it was sliced in half -- the other half was nowhere to be found

Beautiful day, great company, and doing what we love most...hiking in the mountains!