The mother of all hikes through the Brush.

Today was The Commanders Birthday hike.  So up past Peter Bigfoot's compound we went. The trail was wonderful in every respect.  A nice gentle climb into some wonderful country.  The trail had everything including a gurgling stream.  However, none of this was good enough.  The Commander spotted boulders high up the mountainside.  We had to get closer to the outcrop, so in a fit of unimaginable stupidity we headed off the trail and into the worst brush known to man.  The thick brush was full of cat claws,  cactus, and every mean plant the desert can produce, so thick we had to crawl on our knees, but up we went.  Like idiots we thought it might get lighter brush higher up. The brush never gave up, but finally we did, and made our way back down the same thorn infested mess we just climbed up. With bloody arms, hands, and shirts we got back to the trail.  The desert always has lessons to teach.  Today's lesson was when there is moisture a lot of things grow out of control in the desert.  On the backside of mountains high enough to scrape water from the clouds plant life will flourish. The snow melt will even make it worse.  So the moral of the story is don't think you will find the usual flora and fauna when there is just a little more water.