 There I was, on the Sabino Canyon shuttle, headed to Bear Canyon and the start of a hike. Today, I was solo.  Dropped off, I looked into the start of the canyon. I helped a couple of newbies who had not previously done this hike, assuring them it really is one of the milder area hikes, yes you can do it (ok, that was a lie), likely no water in the wash, etc... and than I took off. It was good to push myself.  Trail head signage with some good points.  I started in the shade as I observed the sun about to reach the inner canyon.  After about 2.75 miles, I reached this point, looking cross canyon at the 7 Falls. Unfortunately there was no water flow so the picture lacked the definition given by multiple falls. Still, a cool sight.  Wow. A bunch of water in the final pool and pretty deep too.  Looking back from where I came, a broad expanse of granite. Beautiful.  No water flow meant the rocks surrounding the falls were dry and thus not slippery. I moved up to the second level, while looking down at that first pool. Evidence of some wind as the water rippled.  About a 40' climb to the next level which I was able to do. I could have gone another level but there was no one else here and while climbing the slopes is relatively easy, it's the down climb that can get kind of sketchy. Returning to the first level....  ...how bout that? Plentiful fish are in the pool and not guppies, real fish. Love to have access to a wildlife camera to see what all visits this place for water.  I headed back, looking down canyon. I eventually met my shuttle riders who were indefatigable, plodding forward. Finished with about 5.5 miles on a beautiful day.
0 Comments
 Got invited to a Super Bowl party in Oro Valley. The hosts have a magnificent home that overlooks what is known as "The Big Wash".  And from where, there are grand views of the western edge of the Catalinas. Like most SB parties to which I have been invited.  ...there was a small contingent of those interested not in the game but also not the commercials. They sat outside instead. Later, there was a rousing game of euchre at which I did nothing to distinguish myself but my partner, the guy on the left, salvaged the win for us.  Meantime, while the others huddle around this nice gas fireplace, a large group enjoyed the game and commercials. Surprising outcome to the game but was rooting for the Eagles so that's good.  And, of course, the obligatory sunrise, the following day. Wow!  Thimble Peak, rather insignificant amongst its surroundings.
 What an unusual picture. It's as if flames are shooting from behind a nearby ridge.  I've adopted a new route which I call "Three Fingers" which includes Speedway, Redington and Fort Lowell roads, around 40 miles. Check out the fence made of ocotillo branches.  A friend invited me to explore a nearby, sandy wash.  Came across this abundant growing plant. I have no idea what it is.  Later, passed this eroded wall.  The wash narrowed as we....  ....reached a dead end for us, beneath a bridge.  This mess of debris had to be 6' tall. It's probably become too heavy to be moved by moving water and simply accumulates more, over time. A fun. 2 mile hike.
I added a new post and somehow it became integrated with others. Would take too much time to fix so it is what it is. New post coming soon!
   It doesn't take much of an imagination to spot a face on the end of this rock formation. I escorted a friend through another canyon but the pics weren't worthy of a post, other than this one. Back on the bike..... Dawn, looking to the southeast. A hockey stick shaped contrail but note the sudden move to the left. It seemed odd to me and.... It has been a very dry winter although a passing system did drop some snow at higher elevations. Meantime, for us at lower elevations....   I've been making the short drive to OV with some frequency. OV recently appeared in a prominent magazine as the #1 retirement destination, in the US. For me, it's easy to see why.   ....it was business as usual as I pass this group of saguaros on a short hike. My M.O. recently has emphasized cycling with short hikes in between. Eventually, I'll work in longer hikes to cool destinations and am discussing routes with some friends. ...20 miles into my route and the farthest point from home, a flat on my front tire. I replaced the tube but a gash in my tire caused another flat almost immediately. I was about 5 miles from a bike shop so pausing several times to reinflate the tire, I....  ....continued to lengthen. Today's visit was to help a friend remove all the oranges from a tree. Here is the before picture.    A lone saguaro. Wonder why it thrived when no others did, around it. ...made it to Oro Valley Bicycles. They immediately replaced the tire. Ya know, my "BH" bike has been in service for around 7 years, a long time for a road bike. I've contemplated buying an e assist bike but a couple nights ago I was eating with some cycling friends and when I brought up the option, my manhood was questioned. So, ok, no. Oh, wow! One of the best sunrises I've witnessed. Spectacular.     And check out this tool! I've never seen it before but it works great for grabbing oranges from the top of the tree. I never tire of the sunrises, thus posting yet another pic. If you view these on your cell phone, you miss the grandeur of the scene. A friend was volunteering for a day and asked if I could stop and let her.... I drove up Mount Lemmon to check out a new lodge in Summerhaven. Very nice but we decided to continue up to Ski Valley where surely there would be a roaring fire at the Iron Door restaurant and so there was. What a neat atmosphere as we ate chili in front of the fire. An employee spends much of his time keeping the fire going and I envied him. I'd love that job! I'm actually looking at a condo to buy simply because it has a real fireplace, lol. As I drove west, the view extended over much of the region.    The after pic. Took about 45 minutes and then.... Not enough snow to support skiing but the lift was busy, taking people to the peak and back. ...dog out, so I did. Rather small but not a yapper so that's good. Really energetic. I timed my visit for the half way point of a 40 mile route, through Oro Valley.  ....walked a portion of OV Country Club. My social calendar has been full as next.....    I've been working in a hike each week between my rides. Want to keep my lower joints conditioned to the impact of hiking. Two to three times a week I really enjoy playing ping pong. The camaraderie is fun but if I'm honest with myself, hitting a smash by these guys scratches my competitive itch over and over given the nature of our games. Seven of us met at Longhorn Steakhouse and that too was fun. The sun sets on another wonderful day but not before....     ....I drove to Charron Vineyard for an event. It's been 80+ days since we've received any measurable rain and it shows. As always, this view enthralls me of Thimble Peak and Blackett's Ridge, standing guard over Sabino Canyon. I thought this a beautiful setting with the yellow leaves in front of a very dry mountainside. So I paused during a ride to take the shot. ....I spot a woman, walking her parrot while talking on the phone. Don't see that every day!  The day was kind of cool as we sipped wine and listened to someone perform an amazing library of songs. Well, back to cycling and hiking.  And then, switching back to my social schedule, I'm invited to The Views golf course where there are wonderful views. Wow! The clouds somewhat look like giant flames, breaking above the ridgeline.  We arrived a bit early but had good seats to listen to music and dance...yes, I danced. As the venue filled, it was mostly people in the 60+ age. Looking around I thought, "Oh, I don't belong here!" And yet, here I was....
 Well, ok, not a lot but impressive cloud formations and as....  ...the sun rose, amazing but was any snow deposited at higher elevations....  ....yes! But not a lot.  Here's a better view as the sun hits the snow. Yet, despite this, some areas in southern AZ still have received no measurable rain for about 5 months.
 I rarely hike in the afternoon, for a variety of reasons not the least of which is if I fail to complete the hike in the allotted time, darkness is my reward. Anyway, I escorted a friend into Tanque Verde Canyon to show her a very different type of "hike". We started at 3:30pm.  The colors and shadows were entirely different, of course.  She brought along a large Doodle type dog which did an admirable job other than in this tight spot but I was an able to assist. I don't have a problem, hiking with a dog but you have to be careful that your foot does not arrive on a rock at the same time the dog's paw is aiming for the same landing spot.  The canyon lacks water flow so upon reaching a final wall, I explored going up through the throat of the wall where water normally flows. I could make it but my two companions could not gain traction on the slick rock. Fortunately, there was a work around to the right.  Arriving at the 80' dead end, canyon wall, we met three people who had just repelled down.  Surprisingly, there is still a fairly large pool of water at the base of the wall. It's such a beautiful spot.  After a short break, we headed down canyon as the sun closes on the horizon. Fortunately, we got out, not needing our flashlights. A fun, 2 mile hike!
|
