The fire ring probably hasn't been used yet this year judging by the young plants sprouting in it. This area seems seldom visited. Goathead thorns (puncture vine) are everywhere in this meadow; I don't think I've ever seen so many. My tires, shoes and saddlebags picked up lots of them just from passing through here last night.
My tent rests in the background, with the New York Mountains a couple of miles further beyond. The two springs that I want to hike to today sit near the base of the mountains.
Cottonwood Spring is roughly straight ahead two miles beyond, while Butcher Knife Spring is to the left, about two miles behind the corral in this view.