 I organized a group hike to Shovel Saddle, high up in the Santa Ritas. Hiking friend, Lorna, suggested that since we would be in close proximity to 88 Mac peak, we should extend the hike by about a mile and hit that too.  During the hour+ drive to Madera Canyon, I passed Elephant Head, gleaming from the rising sun. In a couple of hours we would have a very different view of this remarkable feature.  Our group of 5, shove off on the Super Trail, soon get on the Pipeline Trail, drop into Fern Canyon and ascend it, hang a left at an unnamed trail junction and.....  ....reach Roger's Rock. At 1.7 miles from the parking lot, this alone is a worthwhile destination but we had much farther and much higher to go. We ascend the 24% average grade of Roger's Ridge to Four Springs Trail, make a right and....  ...enjoy the rolling nature of the trail. Several places we cross rock falls and occasionally the foliage would open and we had....  ....great views of Mount Wrightson. Our destination was at 8850' while Wrightson is 9200' so almost as high.  The Four Springs Trail to Shovel Saddle is about a mile with an average grade of 15% so not a flat trail, just not as steep as what we had already climbed or what was coming. The saddle is a beautiful area with exceptional views of....  .....Elephant Head, lower right in the above image. Hard to believe the climb to the top is up that left side.  We turned our attention to the next leg of our hike. Less than a mile away, so close but look at the elevation difference!!!! I had not previously visited this location so was glad Lorna knew where to leave the saddle as pine needles had covered the social trail.  Emerging from the ponderosa's we climb the .4 mile to an unnamed saddle. It's a beautiful, grassy area but with an average grade of almost 30%, a real toughie. We had incredible....  ....views to distract us. Mount Hopkins in the distance with the Whipple Observatory on top. Throughout, I was keeping an eye on area clouds and weather radar. We are finally having an active monsoon season with 70% chance of rain forecast for today. Storms frequently form on the mountains, rather suddenly, and then slosh over into the valleys.  Now at the saddle, we look to the peak although what we see is a false summit, the actual lying beyond, unseen.  Kind of rugged and an enjoyable, route finding challenge as we pick our way to the peak.  My very fit and hardy hiking friends on final approach.  Clouds are thickening as we view Wrightson. I'm not concerned about getting wet as I had a towel and change of clothes in my car. However, I am concerned about bolts of lightning so again checked radar. Still nothing in the immediate vicinity, showing rain.  Marc took us to the northwest side of the peak to look down on McCleary Peak.  In the distance, the Catalina Mountains.  There was an unknown peak between us and Wrightson. I'm unaware if there is a social trail to that peak but probably. A hike for another day.  We begin our descent, grudgingly because the 360 views at the top are amazing.  We reach the first saddle and begin the....  ....steep descent to Shovel Saddle. Reaching it I look....  ....to 88 Mac, hard to believe we were up there just a few minutes ago. We continue our descent and upon reaching Roger's Rock we hear....  ....rumbles of thunder. Just like that, it was now raining at the highest peaks. Within about a mile of the trail head, it began to rain lightly but we arrived, dry. On the drive out, it began to pour. We finished with 8.5 miles and 3700' of climbing. A hard and very worthy hike with a good group.
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 Sorry gang. After the hike to Josephine Peak, my legs were fatigued and kind of beat up. I went for a very short, 10 mile bike ride and the area around my knees was not so good. Waited a day then did a 20 mile ride, not so good, then a 30 mile ride, still not all that well. Signed up for the "Ski Island Tour" a metric century ride out of Sierra Vista so that will give me motivation to put in greater distances. Meantime, have a really good hike on Wednesday and if the monsoon doesn't wash it out, I'll post the report soon thereafter.
 Our small group of 6 gathered at the Old Baldy trail head and shoved off at 7am as planned. At 5400', the air was pleasantly cool as we began the 2.4 mile ascent to....  .....Josephine Saddle. One of us, at about .5 mile, had begun not feeling well so turned around. Even though the return was obvious, we all felt better when she texted hiking companion Marc to confirm she had made it.  Although the average grade of the climb to Josephine Saddle via Old Baldy trail is only 12.7%, it always seems steeper and I was glad to get off it and onto the mellower Super Trail. The trail winds counter clockwise around Mount Wrightson with frequent glimpses of....  ....great views although they are muted by area fires.  We pass beneath this interesting rock formation with Mount Hopkins in the background. Every time I see that mountain I can't help but think of my little adventure of 2 years ago. Getting lost, finding the remains of a hiker, finding my way out and helping with the recovery effort of the long dead hiker tends to be something one never forgets.  We reach Riley Saddle and get a good look at Josephine Peak along with the formidable brush that stands between us and the peak. Hiking up the ridge facing us is possible but I've read it's sketchy with some class 3 scrambling and exposure. Instead we have to hike clockwise to a far ridge and then head up.  There is not an official trail through the thicket but an area hiker did go in and make some improvements on a social trail. Despite that, it is easy to lose the trail so eventually we just....  .....headed for the aforementioned ridge. Bill and I took turns leading the gang as I look back to see two of our group emerge into a small clearing. Mount Wrightson is in the background. Bill, who has summited Wrightson 257 times, later stated today's hike is harder than the Wrightson hike. With that experience, I'll take his word for it, lol.  It was kind of tiring to hike around Josephine Peak so midway we took a short break. Sitting on the log, you get an idea of how steep is the peak's side. The surface is very loose so often I had to "post hole" my left foot into the ground to gain enough support to take a step forward.  We close on the ridge where I find a large cairn, probably indicating this is where we start up. Sure enough, more cairns were found as we ascend a steep slope. Looking back....  ....there are great views! A fire swept through here a few years ago and there is plenty of evidence of it including.....  .....what appeared to be a grassy field but instead is thousands of young ponderosa pines. At last....  ....we reach the peak. We looked for a summit register but alas, we suspect a certain over zealous park ranger has removed it because it wouldn't fit with the wilderness experience.  Even with the smoke, the views are still awesome.  Josephine Peak offers little shade and is kind of nondescript but again, the views and getting a....  ....different perspective on Mount Wrightson is neat. Soon, we put our packs back on and begin our return.  A few hedgehog cactus are blooming which is a surprise given how dry is the region. We reached our cars having hiked 10.3 miles and gaining 3400'. Tough hike for sure. With breaks and waits it took a hair over 6 hours to complete.
 I got out for a short ride then Saturday, showed up at 6am for the Sabino Cycles shop ride with 16 others. Record breaking heat has settled in for the past 6 days and today was no different with a high of 114. Our group got in 35 miles with a 17.8 average, not all that fast for a group but not terrible.  I had a window replaced and after the installation...wow, what a difference. I should have had them all replaced. It was a good crew who worked hard. On Friday, my 2 daughters, son-in-law, Amy and grandson drove to Elgin for.....  ....wine tasting. Well worth the drive. Included in the entertainment was.....  ....fish food so Anthony fed the fish while we enjoyed a tasting. On we went to another....  ....winery and then.....  ....another. Yes, we had a designated driver. We even stopped at a.....  ....distillery. That too was enjoyable. Alas, the kids had to go, including.....  .....Anthony. He and I have always really hit it off. Probably because I act about his age, lol. Will miss that adorable 5 year old a lot. OK, tomorrow is the first time hike to Josephine Peak. A tad apprehensive as normal prior to a big hike. Will post a report very soon.
 Another day of record breaking heat so another day having a hike start of 5:30am. The Sabino Canyon parking lot, normally over flowing is barely 1/4 full. Beginning the hike with me to Blackett's ridge is a daughter, son-in-law and....  ....5 year old, Anthony. He and my daughter hung with us for the first half mile and then we were on our own.  The sun rises above the mountains to the east and.....  ....casts light on the highest peaks in the front range of the Catalinas. As we climb....  ....the views are spectacular!  So far, we are hiking in the shade but the sun line is moving steadily toward us.  The shadows add some context to the irregular ridge lines. After about 3 miles and a couple of regroups we.....  ....made it.  Awesome views into Sabino Canyon and beyond.  A lone hiker on the right, looking into the abyss with Thimble Peak in the distance, right side. Good hike with 1800' of elevation gain. Have a big hike coming this Monday, as long as a new fire doesn't deter us.
 Family has arrived and what a week in which to arrive! A daughter and son-in-law wanted to hike so I decided to try Pusch Peak. Hindsight being what it is, that was not such a good idea. On a prior visit I had escorted them up Picacho Peak but this is an entirely different animal.  An early start is required so from the Linda Vista trail head we began, at 5:30am. The climb would almost entirely be in the shade so that was good. But....  ....if you've done the hike, you know how steep it is once you leave the Linda Vista trail for the unnamed trail to the peak. That portion of the hike has an average grade of 30% so I was not surprised when my daughter, who lives in South Miami Beach, needed to take a break or two.  We arrived at the "wall" and.....  ....climbed it but I evaluated my hiking companions and decided rather than head for the peak, we'd.....  ....make Breakfast Point our destination.  The sun began to clear Pusch Ridge and what a sight it was.  Breakfast Point was still in the shade but not for....  ....long.  After enjoying a break, we headed back, finishing with 2.9 miles and 1400' of climbing.
 If you find yourself on the east side of Tucson, plan a visit to the Aqua Client Park. It's an otherworldly setting.....  .....lots of birders walking around and the sound of frogs is fairly constant, at least in the morning.  Nice walking paths too.  Being on the east side gave me ample views of Blackett's Ridge and Thimble Peak. I only rode about 18 miles this day and then.....  ....the next day parked at the base of Mount Lemmon. Two women rode by on Elliptical bikes and I thought for sure they would turn right but nope. They kept going up the mountain until mile post 7. I think that's quite an accomplishment on one of those platforms.  This was a Sunday and I was surprised at how many cyclists were heading up, easily 100, As I rode up, I was passed by several dozen trucks having mountain bikes in their beds. Whole lotta cycling going on that mountain. Alas, I spit the bit at only mile 7 but I rode so infrequently the last 4 weeks it will take some additional rides to regain some cycling fitness. I got in a 45 mile ride the next day.  Amy and I celebrated our 20th month anniversary at the El Conquistador on Oracle Road which had great views of Pusch Ridge as the sun set.
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