When I took a water break before the climb, I saw this little guy.

I took several pictures of him. He didn't seem to mind posing.

Besides, I hadn't taken many animal pictures on this trip.

I didn't know if he was terrified or indifferent, but he barely moved while I was there.

I added Apache National Forest to my list of forests visited.

The only animals I saw in the mountains were a few  deer--certainly nothing with such a magnificent rack as the elk on this sign.

I enjoyed the final tree-lined miles of climbing.