Today I'm so excited.

I'm visiting the popular Roberts Forest Trail here at the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area here.

I'm also meeting up with Kat with the U.S.

Forest Service.

Who's going to tell us a.. Crossing the street.

Very important.

So, yes, we'll be recording.

So this crossing specifically is on a blind corner.

So always be listening if you want to listen to music.

Take it out while you cross.

Really listen for those cars.

Make sure you're looking both ways multiple times.

What can you tell me about this hike?

So this hike is one that I really like to recommend for some of our beginner hikers, or people who have kids or grandparents who they just want to get out, get into nature a little bit.

It is a shorter trail.

It's less than a mile round trip, about point seven miles, and it ends in these really cool rocks.

So kind of not quite a slot canyon, but you get those big towering canyon walls.

You get all the beautiful trees that we have up here.

So I even smell that.

So beautiful up here.

Yes.

It's a really great hike for really anybody to come.. All right.

Carries the short hike.

But we do have to take some precaution.

Right.

And the main o.. Yes, it is very rocky.

We've got a lot of limestone, especially when you get more into this part of the mountains.

And with that, you're going to need some good traction and making.. you have those good, supportive shoes that can help prevent rolled ankles.

Add some more stability to your walk through your hikes.

That's really good and just makes for a much more enjoyable day.

Good fall and ankle support.

That's important.

Exactly.

And let's talk about these big beautiful trees.

I have a big smile on my face.

Oh, tree.

Yeah.

So that tree specifically is a ponderosa pine.

They say that if you scratch the bark, it'll smell like vanilla or butter.

Oh, I will have to try it.

Yeah.

And then we also have some other trees up here too.

We've got firs, we've got junipers, we've got mahogany.

And then if you get a little bit lower, you also start to see some of those aspens.

And I love that you can just look up at even a.. Yeah.

They're everywhere out here.

All right.

Look at these .. Look at.

Yeah.

It's amazing.

What just, like, breaks away or that you can find out here just seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

And look at this change.

Look at these.

Look.

We get some of the smaller, like, plants and shrubs as well, mixed in with the trees.

Oh, wow.

Look at that.

Oh, wow.

Look at this.

Oh, Jasmine is great.

Amazing.

Look at it.

It's so cool for just how tall the rocks are.

And again, it's like this beautiful little gift when you get to the very end.

Right, a little gem.

Yeah.

We just keep going a little farther, you'll see.

Oh, yeah.

I'm already excited.

Oh my gosh.

Now.

And again, it's it's a challenge getting up here.

Yes.

Still got to watch your step.

Yeah.

Oh.

It was.

Yeah.

We made it.

You made.. And I love it again.

It's just such a nice surprise to see all of this Mother Nature that I always say her ar.. Right?

Yeah.

All right, so I want to start off by ask.. Such an interesting name.

Yes.

So legend has it that there used to be some robbers and burglars and outlaws and bad guys, and they would come up here because it was secluded.

And you've got these big rocks all around.

So, I mean, a really nice place for them to come up and hide away from the law and hide their treasures and keep them away.

So they used to roost up here, their beds.

All right.

Robbers.

Ruth, I did .. Two logs.

Maybe there's a treasure there.

I'm going to go explore later.

All right.

Let'.. Yeah.

So this on.. because it does kind of offer that multi recreational use.

We have people who come up here for all sorts of reasons, whether it's hiking, whether it's birding, photography or, all sorts of things you can do on this trail.

And it's pretty easy to get to, even though it does get a little steep there at the end.

Yeah, it's a little deceiving, right?

Because there's a ruin.

I'm like, oh, I need to scramble a little.

What's going on?

Yes.

Those good that good footwear comes in handy.

There you go.

And then what advice do you have for people coming up here to hike.

Yeah.

So always be prepared.

That's always what I tell people.

Make sure you have water.

You're high altitude.

It's dry up here.

Water is key.

Make sure you have snacks.

Make sure you kind of.

You also let people know that where you're going and that you're going to be up he.. Sunscreen.

Sunscreen?

Yes.

Especially on days like today where the beautiful sun is shining brightly.

And we also want to make sure that we protect this beautiful land.

So what you bring in take out, right?

Absolutely.

Yeah.

Yup.

It's up to everyone to help keep this place clean and beautiful.

I love it.

Okay, let's .. I'm so excited because some trails are reopening up.

Sadly, when the storm hit, they had to shut down for several years.

Yeah.

Opening up.

Yep.

So we actually were able to open up a bunch this year.

We were able to get Cathedral Rock all the way open to the top of my favorite, by the way.

Yes, that one is ready for the summer.

We also were able to open up Deer Creek, so that helps get some access into those trails back there.

We have Lower Bristlecone open about two and a half miles.

And then the only ones that are still closed, unfortunately, are Mary Jane Trail Canyon and Upper Bristlecone.

We do have a couple of years until those ones are going to be open.

Upper bristlecone is going to be 2029, and then Mary Jane is going to be about 2027.

But in the meantime, so many wonderful trails to explore up here.

Yes.

Yeah, we still have a lot open, a lot to do, a lot to explore.

So while we wait for some of our other favorites to get back in business, come out and explore some of these other trails.

Oh, and before we leave, I do need to ask you, what does this area mean to you on a personal level?

So this place is really special to me because obviously I work here.

We have a great job.

I'm like a dog, so I get to help take care of.. And I get to really help share my joy and my love for the outdoors and hiking with other people and talk to them about trails and talk to them about, like, what they want to do and help get them excited about the outdoors as well.

And Kat, I can tell you that you do a phenom.. And I was so excited just coming up here, the way you were describing what I was going to be experiencing and telling me about all the wonderful trees.

So you definitely know your dog.

You do a great job.

High five on that.

Thank you.

All right, ready to go?

I'm ready.

Just make sure you watch your footing on the way down.

I pronounce it is.

All right.

Let's go, let's go.

Maybe you should go first.

Go.

Look at this.

All the green.

Right.

Once again, you turn around and .. And that's what, again, the beauty of hiking, coming out and exploring trails like this one.

Our great way for new hikers to have a .. There are several trails, like this one here at the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area.

For more information on this trail and other trail, make sure to stop by the visitor's gateway.

That place, by the way, is also pretty cool.

Until next time.

I'm Maria Silva and I hope t..