Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Group Hike in the Santa Ritas

9/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The numerous west coast wildfires have contributed smoke to our area of paradise, providing some unusual looking sunsets and sunrises.  I signed up for a group hike originating in the Santa Rita Mountains at Madera Canyon.  It's about an hour's drive but I arranged to carpool with Amy so we arrived at the trailhead together.
Picture
Most areas of the Catalinas are now open after the Bighorn Fire so I don't plan to drive to the Santa Ritas very often.  But, this looked like a good group hike with a fun bunch of people and we were not disappointed.  We hiked the 12% average grade of the Old Baldy trail to.....
Picture
....Josephine Sadle.  Someone left a hat hanging for unknown reasons on the sign.  Usually, from this saddle I break to the left and continue on to Mount Wrightson or right to other destinations but today.....
Picture
....the 7 of us continued straight on Josephine Canyon trail, a first for me.  Actually, in the many times I have been at Josephine Saddle, I'm not sure I ever noticed this trail.  Above, Mount Wrightson beckons but not today.
Picture
We follow the trail steadily down through a pine forest having a.....
Picture
....thick covering of pine needles as the Ponderosa Pines were plentiful in this south facing canyon.
Picture
We passed this oddly shaped tree along with.....
Picture
......many huge Alligator Junipers.  I don't think I have seen so many fine examples as our group leader, Lorna, poses in front of one to give a perspective on the tree's size.
Picture
We stopped short of our planned turnaround point due to some of us having later commitments and finding this abandoned structure as a good spot for a break.  It would be fun to take on a project of rebuilding the structure.  Certainly all the rocks are still present but the....
Picture
...timbers would need replaced.  In this lush environment, that wouldn't be a problem.  We finished with 9 miles and 1900' of climbing.  Good hike with good people.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist who enjoys poking fun at himself but most especially at his friends. No nicknames or comments are intended to offend, accept them in the humor they are intended.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.