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Feature & View Rich Hike

2/2/2019

1 Comment

 
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I had signed up to do a very fun hike in the Supes but I did not sleep well Friday night and when the alarm went off at 4:30am, no way.  The group rightfully takes a dim view of last minute cancellations so I am awaiting news of the fine or suspension:)  However, there are plenty of alternatives around the corner so I went to Catalina State Park, about 1 mile from home.  A group had a wildlife display with lots of snakes.​
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I set out on the Sutherland Trail and it was bordered by dense. lush grass and I had an urge to push mow it.
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Snow melt is coursing through the wash.  It has not rained in awhile but that will change tonight.  I actually had to cancel a group hike I was to lead on Sunday!  As I type this report, Sunday morning, good thing too.  California has sent us many fronts this winter and some have actually contained moisture.  Been a good winter for replenishing ground water.
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The Park was hosting "hound Hike" so dozens of people brought their dogs.  Fortunately, my route differed from theirs.
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I followed the Southerland trail for about 3 miles where it emerged to a broad trail link that would take me down to the 50 Year Trail if I made a left or a right would take me to the continuation of the ST.  I decided to just turn around and then things got interesting.  One thing, take a look at the saguaros.  Note the grey portion below the green?  I don't recall seeing this condition and it probably is not good.
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I encountered a couple on horses.  I then reached a faint trail going left and unmarked.  Hmmm, wonder where that goes so I followed it.  I ran into two ladies who gave me lots of information, including a location of a little known falls.
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I found a couple of boulders that had grinding holes in them.  Long ago the natives wore these by grinding meal.  I reached a junction and hung a left and soon....
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….wow!  Spectacular series of falls.
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I squeezed my way over these boulders, crossed the stream....
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….climbed the left side of a ravine and found more good views.  There have been several mountain lion sightings within the last week, including a mom with two cubs!  Those cubs need fed so I decided not to linger too long.  A few hours prior to my hike, on the other side of Tucson, a guy was out looking at stars through a telescope when a lion charged him.  He pulled a gun and BAM, at 20' the lion, stopped by the sound of the shot, turned away. Damn.
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The two ladies told me about a route to something called "The Big Green Rock" so I headed cross country and sure enough, in the correct lighting, it is a green.
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I dropped into a wash that also had a good flow of water and hopped across the rocks a few times as the route wound back and forth.  I emerged on a trail called "Canyon Loop" trail and headed back to the car.  Along the way.....
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….wow, check out that dead but still standing saguaro and next to it....
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….a rare crested saguaro.  I think something like one of ten thousand saguaros are crested.  Note the unusual growth, center top.
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The trees have lost their foliage but it will be back soon.  Check out that thick grass again!
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Another beautiful view of the running water with the mountains in the distance.  Finished with 7 miles of hiking.
1 Comment
Dave
2/5/2019 07:54:09 pm

I thought Comfest was in June??

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    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

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