To the Window

Been awhile since I did a really difficult hike so I arrive at the trail head at Ventana Canyon to ascend to the Window, somewhere up there in the jagged distance.

I'm not a fan of the trail, too many boulders jutting out of the trail, similar to Pima Canyon trail.  But there is no denying the reward of climbing out of the canyon.

The ocotillo are in bloom as I look at the trail below me.  Not many fellow hikers as I passed only 6-8 on my way up to.....

...the Maiden Pools at mile 2.5.  Still a long way to go and so I don't stop for a visit.

I continue the climb as the trail meanders back and forth across the bottom of the ravine that still has water flowing through it.  There are some beautiful settings and ideal camping areas. including one with a large slab of rock containing several grinding holes.

And there above me is the Window, a huge opening in the granite. To reach it, I must first climb out of the canyon to a narrow saddle,

From past visits, I know that once I climb above the rock spire, I'll be close and.....

….arriving at the saddle, I can see the remaining climb to where the Window is housed.  For a short while....

….the hiking is flat to rolling with spectacular views both north and south.

Mount Lemmon in the distance.  The trail is easy to follow but it is also easy to walk right by my destination because of the angle of the Window and the brush covering the entrance.

At mile 6.7, I finish the ascent with a climb into the opening.  

Stepping inside, but not too far inside because of the several hundred foot drop, I look back and through the arch.  Not too far is Window Peak but having visited that once and knowing the way up is kind of sketchy and difficult to follow, I decide to content myself with where I am.

It's a hulking mass of granite around me.  The high today in the valley was only in the low 70's so up here, it's quite chilly so I do not linger.

The hike down is steep in places but sometimes I am rewarded with flat areas bordered by an abundance of wildflowers.

A recently build bird's nest.  I once took too close a look and almost got speared by a fleeing bird so I keep my distance.  Finished with 13.4 miles and a whopping 4500' of climbing.  Well, back to the bike.