This is not a drive I would like to take again.  Originating in Silver City, St. Rt. 15 is the "windiest" road I have followed. It's only 34 miles to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument but it took us about 90 minutes to arrive.  Interestingly, the "Tour of Gila" bike race occurs on this and other roads. The main circuit is 72 miles with a robust 6000' of climbing. May have to come here in warmer weather and do that ride.

An unusual type of cactus.  We stopped at a couple of overlooks where....

....Jack could exit the SUV for some exercise. As we close on our destination....

....the mountains grow taller, almost hitting 11,000', capped by Mogolon Baldy.  We arrive and do a warm up hike that includes....

....hiking along a trail that has flooded due to beaver activity.  A guy came along and carried his dog while maintaining a good balance on the log.  Later, as we came back....

....Amy came through demonstrating almost as good balance but the poles sure helped which I too used.  Putting Jack in the vehicle we....

....walked across a bridge, climbed some and reached....

....the cliff dwellings.  These date back to 400AD and housed several families.  

It was awesome how close we were allowed which included a climb....

....into the interior.  Of course, a climb in required....

....a climb out as I demonstrate something less than able form.  A trail routes us back to the parking lot but...

...via a loop that allowed us to look at the valley we had hiked a portion of, earlier.  Finished with 4 miles.

And we're off to Silver City, NM for a few days of fun in a small village just north, Pinos Altos.  We stay in.....

....a two story cabin that includes.....

,,,,a stove fireplace!  The cabin came with plenty of wood so I made good use of that.  At night....

....each of the 12 cabins were decorated with Christmas lights.  The next day, we drove to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and did some hiking there.  More to come.

Our group of 6 arrive at the top of Sarasota Road to begin a 5 mile hike. We begin our hike and soon hear....

....a group of mountain bikers behind.  Just as they overtake us, one o them has to dismount.....kind of embarrassing for him as the trail wasn't that difficult right there.  We continued our hike, climbed to Bobcat Ridge and then....

....began a decent to a saddle between Bobcat and Little Cat Mountain.  I managed to pick up the off trail route and soon....

....we began a very steep hike toward the peak.  The group was in good spirits as we closed on the peak and once there.....

....enjoyed many good views of our surroundings.

We walked along a ridge and stopped for a snack....

....while taking plenty of pics.

After our break, we begin our descent, moderate at first before a steeper section that averages a 40% grade.  Had to be really careful there as plenty of loose rocks.

Back at the parking lot, we took a final look at the summit and congratulated each other as we all had made it to the peak.  Finished with 5.1 miles and 1350' of climbing on this awesome, sunny day with temps in the mid 60's.

An epic hike but with an uninspiring opening act.  We park at the end of First Water Road, the last few miles being dirt.  Our group of four, Amy, Barry Neil and me get going on time, departing via the Dutchman Trail.  Soon, the Dutchman breaks to the right and we get on the Second Water Trail which leads us through "Garden Valley".  Alas, this once beautiful section of pleasant hiking has been scorched. 

We descend toward Second Spring and then into Boulder Canyon.  The trail is very rocky and rough.  Over the length of our hike, this walking on let's say, very uneven, sharp pointed cobblestones, really takes a toll.  At this point, the hiking has been flat to rolling and our legs and joints are still fresh.

However, prior to our descent, we did get our first look at the mighty Battleship Mountain, which I have outlined.  One of our group failed to see the similarity but she may simply lack some imagination, ha, ha.

A saguaro has fallen over the trail.  I imagine getting hit by one of those could be fatal.  

Walking through Second Spring is refreshing with multiple pools of water, mature trees and cooling shade.  But then we drop into....

....Boulder Canyon.  Aptly named requiring no imagination to see why.  Following a trail, we cross it several times while paralleling the mountain.  At last, the fun begins as we climb to.....

....the ship's "waterline".  We take our first break as we ditch extra water and are passed by a group who.....

....climb the ship's stern.  What you see above is the easier part of the wall.  Beneath it an almost vertical section but with a good gripping surface.  I go up first and with little coaching....

....so too does Amy and Barry.  Neil was comfortable just to hang out at the base, which is not unusual for first time visitors.  We group at the top and....

....admire the views, including a look into Lower La Barge Box Canyon.  That too is an amazing destination and one we will visit soon.  Entering the narrow canyon, walls soar several hundred feet above.  Next though we....

....look toward our destination, the peak of Battleship. Looking closer then it is, it's still 3/4 mile away and the way forward is a series of route finding challenges coupled with more walls and other obstacles.  Just great fun.

I've visited this mountain probably 6-8 times and am normally the only person or group there but today, wow, probably 20-30 other people as we take turns navigating another climb.  Then we reach....

...Fat Man's Pass!  It's a tight fit but there is a workaround to the right and left.

We enjoy the views to the south that include Weaver's Needle in the distance and the boundary of La Barge Canyon on the left.  Geronimo Head looms over us off image, to our left.  And then.....

....we encounter the spine.  This narrow piece of rock has death to the right of us and certain broken bones to our left.  It is steep enough that butt hiking is the method most choose for the down climb, while not looking much farther than what is directly in front.  Up until a few years ago, there was a small barrel cactus growing from the center in a concave area.  That made things a little more difficult.

Our threesome met one final wall, probably the most difficult of them all.  The advantage of having long arms and legs is huge for this so Amy was able to climb but Barry could not.  I probably should have descended and given him a boost up but did not favor the idea of climbing down and up again as I barely made it the first time.  Now, down to two, we....

....went clockwise to the back of the mountain via Ballbearing Slope, climbed some more and.....

....yeehaw!  In the distance, Canyon Lake.  There is a good sized marina there, restaurant and close to the touristy town of Tortilla Flats.

A layer of smog hangs over Phoenix.  Mindful that we had left two of our group behind, we did not linger.  Navigating some of the obstacles on the return, we then picked up Barry, made it to the first wall.....

....which we all successfully descended but....no Neil to be found.  We weren't too much concerned as assumed he had tired of waiting and there was enough traffic on the trail that he'd probably be ok.  Climbing out of Bouldert Canyon, we caught a group and hey!  There was Neil so all back together.  

OK, the return was somewhat more painful than normal for most of us.  My feet hurt from stomping on all the sharp edged rocks, Neil's legs were fatigued, Amy's joints hurt although Barry still seemed in good condition.  All I know is, climbing a slope and seeing the parking lot, I screamed with relief:). It was a long day as we ended the 12 mile hike and....

....arrived in Oro Valley as the sun was setting.

Summer's heat kept me out of the Superstitions so I was anxious to return despite having made the 90+ minute drive just last week for a hike. I wanted a longer hike and to explore a part of the Supes not previously visited. I planned to follow the Dutchman, Whiskey Springs, Red Tanks, back onto Dutchman and then Bluff Springs trail for the return. The loop  would go around Miner's Needle, about 13 miles.

Hindsight being what it is, I should have had a gps route to follow but assumed all trail junctions would be signed.  I followed the Dutchman for 2.8 miles, at first unaffected by this summer's fire, which burned 194,000 acres.  Soon though....

....I walked into an extended area where the trail had been enough of a fire break that the fire had not crossed to the other side.  But soon.....

....ugh.  Saguaros lost forever, thousands of them.  Many had already toppled and lay in the surrounding area.  These had been standing for 100+ years but no more.

With the ground cover removed, it completely changes the views and so rock formations tend to draw more of my attention. Above, the top of the spire appears to be the head of a lizard or snake.

At about mile 1, a 4 mile, moderate climb begins during which Miner's Needle comes into view and is eventually passed.  Above left is an arch or the eye of the needle.  On a certain day of the year, at a certain time, sun pours through the eye, illuminated a spot on the canyon slope where gold has been buried.  A myth almost certainly but many have tried to locate the treasure. That is a fun climb to get as high up as one can go.  I continue the climb and....

....hey, there's Weaver's Needle, my destination of last week.  Higher I go, looking for the junction with the Whiskey Springs trail and the views....

....stupendous.  I am soon rewarded with.....

....signage indicating I should hang a right. Reaching a ridge....

....I see a ravine in the distance where Whiskey Springs is located. I begin a descent but rather then enter that ravine, the trail breaks to the left and enters a......

....brushy wash, it too undamaged by the fire.  

I emerge from the wash and see Upper LaBarge Box to my right.  This area is new to me but the Red Tanks Trail comes through the notch and intersects with Whiskey Springs.  I was to make a left at this junction but alas, there was no trail sign.  I had a map, stood and studied it when I heard a noise and looking, there is a hiker going up a hill I had just descended.  I yelled, "Hello".  Thus began a strange conversation.  He had been sitting on a boulder taking a break as I passed but said nothing to me.  It seemed his knowledge of the area was good but as he was giving me advice about a left at the next junction followed by a right there....... I decided to turn around.  I knew had I continued I would eventually emerge from this wash at LaBarge Springs and onto the Dutchman Trail but I was 6.5 miles into the hike and some of these trails that snake through washes can be a route finding challenge and slow.  Better to not risk it today and again, stupid of me not to have a gps route to follow.

Retracing my route at mile 9, I reach the base of Miner's Needle.  Just can't pass that and not do the climb.  It's a straightforward climb to a ridge on the right and then make for the notch on the right where.....

....you encounter a very steep "wall" but with good hand and foot holds so I scramble up and.....

....actually, the notch is as close as you can get to the Needle and there are spires that go higher but.....

....it's worth the climb for what one can see.  Beyond I can see the Dutchman Trail winding its way down canyon.  It's getting late and I have miles to go so I don't take a break here.  The descent is kind of sketchy but I regain the trail and continue.

Check out the above rock formation.  Unremarkable save for the arch in the middle.  Look closely and you'll see a fair sized saguaro growing from the middle of the arch. That gives some scale for the size of the formation.  Soon, I pass....

....another formation.  Note the leaning portion.  That will topple at some point as erosion will do its work.  We received about 1/4" of rain a couple of days ago and I noted there were some pockets of water as I hiked.  I had not sat down since beginning my hike so at mile 12, I had to take a break and let my feet take a breather.  I chose to take the break prior to the final climb out of the canyon.  I was going to hit the climb as fast as I could and maybe catch a Strava KOM. Unfortunately, my app did not restart once I got going and not data was collected for my effort...damn it!  I finished with just under 14 miles and 2500' of climbing.  Only saw 2 hikers which is fine but I like running into a few more as it is fun to exchange information.

I volunteered to guide a 15 person, "Tucson Hiking Meetup" group to climb to the peak of Big Cat Mountain.  Actually the group was set at 10 but there were so many on the waitlist I suggested to hike organizer, Lorna, that we allow 15.  All participants arrived and arrived on time!  How bout that?  As we filed out of the parking lot onto the trail, I looked back and wondered if we would also all make it to the peak.

The first 2.1 miles is a gently rolling hike on established trails.  I usually walk by the point where one leaves the trail and have to backtrack but not today.  Found it on the first try! We began the fairly steep hike, averaging 26% grade.  The route is marked by cairns but since it is easy to get off track, I paused to regroup whenever a sizable gap developed in our ranks.

Approaching a deep rock band, from a distance it's hard to imagine how we would climb through but a natural staircase appears and we continue up.

The sun is very low in the sky as I catch it beyond a saguaro.

Reaching a saddle, we regroup and take a short break.  In the distance, a false summit with several more to come.  The views, as always....

....awesome!

Soon after renewing our trek, we confront a bit of a wall but....

....there are enough hand and footholds that all make it through.  There is some exposure here so I was glad we were all able to continue.

The Catalinas in the distance.  We hiked a sometimes narrow ridge with daunting....

....drops to the valley floor.

Looking back, the gang continues to make good progress.

Wow, a great view of downtown Tucson on this day of sun and highs in the mid 60's.

We got spread out on the final sections of the ascent so as I waited, Amy usurped the guide and made it to the peak, first. lol.  That is a poorly disguised police transmitter on the left.

Soon, more of the group arrives as we parallel Ajo Highway in the distance.

We take a well deserved break while admiring the 360 views.

After awhile, we begin the descent.

Once again, all make it through that tricky wall feature.  We finish in good spirits with 5.5 miles and 1800' of climbing.

Ahhhh, the Superstitions, home to many great destinations; Flat Iron, Lower Labarge Box Canyon, Geronimo Head, Superstition Peak, Robber's Roost, etc... Now that the temps have finally moderated, it's a worthwhile drive from Oro Valley to revisit a favorite, Weaver's Needle Crosscut.

It's a steepish climb from the Peralta trailhead via the Bluff Springs Trail. Awesome views quickly clear the horizon as I climb 500+' in 0.6 miles. At that point, I gain....

....awesome views into the interior of the Supes.  The lack of a monsoon, coupled with ongoing drought has.....

....left the landscape looking rather dry and brown.  But at least this view has vegetation because as I descend into a canyon, evidence of.....

.....this summer's fire, abound.  A ranger told me there have been several bighorn sheep sightings as they have lost much of their ground cover.  He was hiking near a ravine that still had thick vegetation and heard the growl of a large cat.  Probably a mountain lion feeding on something, issuing a warning.

Eventually, I drop into this canyon floor where often, water is found trickling through it.  Not today of course but I was surprised to find a small pocket of water and imagined it is visited frequently during the night by all the critters.  Soon after exiting this lovely spot, I.....

....encounter more stark examples of the burn.  The trail rises to a ridge then falls again and looking.....

....back, quite the moonscape appearance.  At least the trails are in good shape and easy to follow, so far.  

I reach the Terrapin Trail and hang a left here, departing from the Bluff Springs Trail.  I see a man with a backpack and dog fairly close off trail but they are upwind on a very windy day so I decide not to shout something.  I encountered no one else on the entirety of my hike, until later, when reaching Fremont Saddle.

I knew the Crosscut Trail began about 3.1 miles into my hike so made sure not to miss the left branching and pretty obvious, unsigned trail.  I climb to a ridge and descend into Needle Canyon.  During this hike, I paid a lot more attention to the slopes above me just in case I could spot a four legged animal.  I saw none but did see.....

....the above rock formation.  To me it appeared to be a standing lion.  Later, I was told in fact it is known as the "Standing Lion" rock formation.  The walk through Needle Canyon was a bit eerie.  On past visits, it is a beautiful area but today, just so stark and strange.

I am headed toward the saddle in the distance, to the left of an emerging, Weaver's Needle.  This being my 4th time doing this hike, I relied on memory to see me through but I should have done some research because I ended up.....

.....one rock formation too far to the south and had no view of the Needle, once I was adjacent to it.  I poked around in here and it appeared I could circle around on the right but decided to keep going.  I descended into a boulder strewn ravine where....

....it was a refreshing sight to find an unburned area.  I encountered a "Y" intersection that I had not previously noticed on past visits.  I began to descend the right arm but the trail became faint and I decided the left arm was the usual route. It was as I regained the intersection and began a very fun descent through the boulders.

A good view of East Boulder Canyon with an obvious point of demarcation between a burned and unburned section of a ravine.  I was kind of relieved to see this because it made access to the Peralta Trail (seen upper part of the image) a whole bunch easier.  Looking back....

....I had navigated through the above.  The route is not always obvious so a couple of times I had to stop and evaluate the route options.

Reaching the Peralta Trail, I hung a left and began the gradual ascent toward Fremont Saddle.  The views to the northwest are awesome but even more so.....

....from the saddle, the view of Weaver's Needle.  It appears the "lone pine tree" to the right of the Needle survived the fire.  That is good news as it is kind of iconic and a great destination.

From the saddle I still have a little over 2 miles to go.  Reaching the parking lot, I finish with 8.1 miles and 2100' of climbing.  The moderate temps have opened up many hiking options so trying to decide what to choose next.

Our group gathers and begin our hike at 9am.  Many of the local hike leaders stopped organizing hikes so there is a vacuum.  I decided to organize hikes once a week to give people the opportunity to participate in fun hikes.  Kind of giving back I suppose. Today's hike went to the top of Bren Mountain, shown above.  We shove off from the David Yetman Trail off Gates Pass Road.

The temperature is kind of chilly, about 55 degrees as we work our way clockwise around the mountain.  Approaching a saddle, we get a good view of the Catalinas.

After hiking 1.6 miles on an unmade social trail, I spot a couple of cairns indicating this is where we go off trail and begin our ascent to the peak.  Yes, I appear to be confused but not really.

As we climb higher, the views, as always, are wonderful.  I lose the route a time or two as we climb a ridge toward the peak but am able to relocate it.

Barely visible are some of my fellow hikers as we continue to admire the panorama view.

In the distance, I finally see our destination but before reaching it, we have to....

....descend before climbing to the peak.  At the peak, of course.....

....all take plenty of pics.  A friend asked about the elevation of our hikes.  Oro Valley is at 2600' and nearby Tucson is 2500.  Some of the peaks around us sky to almost 10,000' but today's destination was a more pedestrian 3000'.  

In the distance are some of the 10,000footers. We completed our loop with 5 miles and 1200' of climbing.  Everyone finished safely.

It was a recovery day so I joined a slow moving, frequent break taking group of 12 people at Sabino Canyon.  For me, it is important that I have realistic expectations so I don't become frustrated with the slow moving, frequent break taking events.  So, I mostly had a good time!

A road runner stopped our group.  It eventually headed right and we were able to continue.  We were on the Esperero Trail and reached a minor climb....

....the came to an overlook that revealed nice views of the canyon.

We got into a wash and eventually recrossed Sabino Canyon Road, eventually reaching the dam.  But....

....despite the drought, there was still some water flowing, feeding a few pools where the small fish were plentiful.  finished with 4 miles.

Put up the Christmas tree but on the patio so the mostly spiritless people living around me can enjoy it too.  Very few Christmas decorations around me for some reason.

I got reinvigorated to ride so ramped up to 51 miles last week but paused at a golf course. People were looking for a golf ball and I found it from the seat of my bike.  Then, the woman who had lost the ball....

...dropped it and prepared to hit another shot.  Not real good form there but she and companions were having a good time.

There was a huge but kind of squat saguaro.

Amy and I went southwest and included Picture Rocks Road on another 50 miler, finishing with 2000' of climbing.  Kind of cool at 68 degrees.

For the name of the road I'd expect the scenery to be better but kind of bland.

Ended the week with about 140 miles.  Not a bunch but way more than normal.

A short, 2.5 mile below the Catalinas on Wednesday where I encountered...

....a small saguaro that had fallen across the trail.  Ending the hike I....

...this across the parking lot.  Yikes!  The temperatures have finally returned to normal with daytime highs in the low 70's so finally able to....

...get a fire going.  How bout that!  Yes, I use it to burn cardboard and yes, that's my fav cereal. Also a Louisville Slugger bat on the right that I swing like a golf club to keep my seriously atrophied golf muscles loose.  The bat was signed by the great shortstop, Ozzie Smith.  On Thanksgiving morning I.....

.....got in a 52 mile bike ride.  Rode 42 miles two days ago so cranking up the cycling but with the cooler temps, it opens up lots of opportunities for hiking and so I shall.

We arrive at Sanctuary Cove, an 80 acre preserve that borders Saguaro West National Park. Tracy, recently admitted to a SAR team, carries the same pack she would if on a search mission.  It's rather heavy.  We pause so everyone can get a look at the labyrinth then we take the preserve's main trail, ascend a steep slope and enter the Park.

Only now, at a ridge, do we get a look at Panther Peak, there in the distance.  Panther and its sister peak, Sombrero, are prominent features to the southwest of Oro Valley.

We then descend a steep slope that is kind of treacherous with lots of loose gravel and rocks.  No trail to follow, just head to the west of the White Stallion dude ranch where there is a fence and along it, a trail.  I think the trail was put in by the ranch so guests can hike or ride it on horses.

Another look at our destination.  Doesn't look like much but it's a good hike with a fun ascent of a ravine.

How about that?  A horseshoe.  I know to look for a cairn after about 1.6 miles from the parking lot and sure enough....

....find it.  Now we turn toward the peak and begin following a series of well placed cairns.

The climb is gradual until it isn't.  Then it becomes quite steep with fun bouldering up the final section.  Two of our group are struggling and take a couple of breaks, which is fine.  I was in my guide mode but I made a fluid mistake.  I consider the distance, temperature and climbing and decide how many bottles to take so 2 for today's 5.5 mile hike.  What I sometimes fail to do is consider the added time when leading a group who hike at a slower pace. At the last minute, I had added a 1/2 bottle to my pack.

We gain on the saddle to the left of Panther and have enjoyed some hiking in the shade but the sun was gaining on us.  Now we are in the steepest section.  I'm leading the way when I'm told.....

....the two who had been struggling have decided to stop, for good.  Since the hike is an out/back they urged us to continue and they sit and wait.  Tracy, Amy and I continue and soon....

....reach the aforementioned saddle.  Great views to the south and west.  Each of us felt a little guilty about leaving the other two behind.  Knowing the next 1/2 mile to the peak was relatively easy to follow, I suggested they continue since they were first timers. I've visited the peak about 3 times so I would descend to the other two hikers, get them headed back and count on Tracy and Amy to overtake us before we reached the off trail ascent. to the first ridge we encountered coming out of the parking lot.

I spend a few minutes, gawking and taking pictures.  Once the ladies disappeared from view, I descended.  The following images were taken by Amy....

....as I am somewhere in the above image, watching them.

Reaching the peak, they look back and can see Sombrero in the foreground, the Catalinas in the background.  Meantime, I'm escorting my two hikers, taking an occasional break before reaching the end of the official trail and deciding to wait for Amy & Tracy to overtake.  We sit on some comfortable boulders and wait and wait.  Hmmmmm I'm running low on water and really glad I had that extra 1/2 bottle.

The gals take their last picture, of a distant copper mine and head back.  Where we are sitting, a slight ridge prevents us from seeing much more than a couple hundred yards.  We begin to worry but both have gps devices to follow, both are experienced hikers so what could go wrong?  Well, a fall or a snake bite but we'd know that when a helicopter came swooping in.  Finally, we could see them approaching, let out a few whistles, regrouped, ascended the steep slope and returned to the parking lot.

Above is our route, 5.5 miles and 1900' of climbing, well for two of our group.  I had something a bit less but it was still a lot of fun.

Reaching the top of Gates Pass, I descend the curving road, distracted by the views to the west, then turn into a small parking lot.  Surprised mine is the only car there.  My hike today is short at only 2.5 miles round trip but has a good, off trail climb to the top of Golden Gate Mountain.

My hike begins at David Yetman trail. I ascend to a saddle and am greeted....

....with this early morning view.  Little Cat and behind it, Big Cat Mountains, in the distance.  I begin a descent while watching for a.....

....cairn that marks where to begin the ascent of the mountain.

The peak is not visible until you reach the low point in the above ridge.  

As always, the higher I go, the better the views.  I reach the aforementioned ridge, go counterclockwise around it and reach....

....a saddle and at last can see.....

....the peak.  Throughout the off trail portion of this hike, cairns are plentiful and enough people have followed them that a well worn trail is visible in most places.  Be careful when ascending the above.  It is very rocky and balance is required as you hop across boulders.  The visual reward....

.....is.....

....well worth the effort.  Peering over the side opposite of the side you arrive....

....there is a shooting range below.  No action today but I have been up here once before when it was very active.  Ha, ha, we all stayed away from that side for concern over ricochets.  

Bobcat Ridge in the distance with Little Cat and Big Cat mountains.  The sprawling Tucson Estates on the right.

I begin my descent and can see the Yetman trail winding its way through the valley.  While only a 2.5 mile hike, I gained a good 1500'.

Jumping Cholla.  I keep a healthy distance from these plants.  However, while helping a friend look for a lost golf ball, I emerged from the thicket, felt something on my back, reached back (big mistake) and brought my hand back with a clump of Cholla attached to it.  Fortunately, someone had tweezers and I removed 5 spines from a finger.  

A relatively easy, go-to hike (following a more rigorous hike like the Ramsey hike) is the Brown Mountain loop off Kinney Road in Saguaro East National Park and part of the Tucson Mountains.  

The loop consists of a wonderful Ridgeline trail with nice views though once you drop off the ridge, the balance of the route is flat/rolling and kind of boring.  Again, as a recovery hike it is fine.

It being Amy's first visit, she enjoyed all parts of the route.  Finished with 5 miles and 800' of climbing.

Our group has arrived for an awesome hike of 11.2 miles, 3300' of climbing but more importantly, the fall colors.  We were not disappointed as the changing leaves were at peak.  We began our hike at Ramsey Canyon trail head.  I had underdressed and shivering even though the temperature at our elevation of 5500' was 54 degrees.  My condition improved dramatically as we began our hike with a decent climb.

The network of trails are well signed and easy to follow as we frequently pass small pools of water fed by, yes, a babbling brook.  Today's hike was led by....

....Bill Bens who has an encyclopedic knowledge of all trails throughout southern Arizona.  OK, I happened to take this image the solitary moment he was slightly, directionally confused.  He quickly recovered and we continued our upward trek.

After crossing a stream, the climbing began in earnest as we passed densely forested slopes on either side but at one point we arrived at an overlook and got a great look into Ramsey Canyon.

This section of our climb was 3.5 miles having an average grade of 12.5%.  Seemed steeper to me but eventually a saddle came into view and we reached.....

....the Huachuca Crest Trail.  I expected a spectacular view but not yet as we took a break having gained about 3000' in 5 miles.  At an elevation of over 8000'....I was freezing in my long sleeve and perspiration dampened, shirt.  Glad I thought to bring another shirt so not all my clothing choices were stupid ones.  That helped but I was glad when Bill made the "2 minute" announcement and then....

....off we went.  Big thanks to Chris and I think Sid and perhaps one other who offered me excess clothing but I was in the mood for self flagellation, lol.  I expected our pace would remedy things anyway and was correct.  We followed the crest trail for about 2 miles and the views were....

....awesome.

One had to pay some attention to the trail as a fall to the left side of the trail would only be broken by a tree trunk.  Rather steep in there.

We passed a group of I think Agave in a sort of rock garden.  We descended to Bear Saddle,.....

...where we caught a final view of the amazing vistas that included portions of Mexico. Thus began a long and steep descent.

Regaining Ramsey Canyon where relief of the knee buckling descent portion of the trail ended, we saw the largest Alligator Juniper I have seen.  Hiking buddy Lorna poses to give size perspective.

I'm unsure of the history of this structure but a sizable fireplace remains which I think is still put to good use on some evenings.  Regaining the parking lot, I was eager to get going so hustled up driving companion Kathy and began the long drive back home.

Amy acquired an iPhone 12 so gifted me her 8+.  What an improvement over the image I was taking with my Galaxy (awful) and camera (average).  The iPhone was taking images in a HEIC format which was not comparable with the blog so fixed that and here we go again.  The sunsets have been magnificent and the above scene caught my eye.  No rain this day but it was headed our way.

While in Ohio I cracked a rib which didn't bother hiking/cycling but was a problem for golf.  Almost fully healed, I hit the Views golf course for the first time.  Such an aptly named course.

I've made a couple of golfing friends and enjoy playing on rest days.  Played badly on the front 9 with a 42 then had it one under through 7 holes on the back but was outside my comfort zone and choked, finishing 3 over for the final 2 holes for an 80.  OK, back to hiking.

Hey gang.  Having some trouble putting up images.  Working on it.

A cold front finally swooped in and with overnight lows (for a day or two only) in the upper 30's, I got a good fire going.  Note, this is a real fire with wood.  It was awesome. The next morning....

....the clouds began to part and what the???  Snow at 6000' and higher.

Kind of a dramatic scene with the clouds and mountains.  Got a good hike to report in a few.

Situated between the Catalina and Rincon mountains is Aqua Caliente Hill, on the Far East side of Tucson.  The trail is easy to follow and a heck of a good workout.  At mile 2.7, I reach the above intersection

The peak on the right is not the final destination although the trail climbs steadily toward it but at the last moment, shifts right and heads to Aqua Caliente, there on the far right.

I look back and can see how the trail abruptly departed from its inexorable climb to the false summit.

Soon after bypassing the false summit, the views really.....

....open up to the east/northeast.  Walking this flat piece is a treat but it doesn't last for long since....

....this beast must be climbed.  This is the steepest part of the hike and....

....some of the ramps are formidable.  Eventually....

....I reach the peak and thus rewarded with grand views of the Catalinas to the north and the Rincon to the south.

There is a Juniper tree that provides some shade as I tank up with fluids.  I begin my descent and while walking by a bush, the distinct sound of a rattlesnake alerts me.  Actually, alarms me.  I did not observe it so walked next to it when it decided to let me know.  It slithered into a rocky area where....

....I was unable to get a good picture of it.  Too bad.  Finished with 9.3 miles and 2900' of climbing.  It seemed like a lot more climbing then that.  Hard hike for sure.

Driving through Florence, the Superstition Wilderness begin to fill the horizon.  There, right of center, is the high point of the Supes, Superstition Peak, today's destination.

The parking lot is ample but the Hieroglyphic trailhead is one of the more popular ones so we had to loiter briefly for a parking spot to open. The trail is crowded but 99% of the people are going to and stopping at....

....the petroglyphs of which there are many, fine examples.

Looking to the southwest, we've gained a few hundred feet, following a wide trail but everything changes as we now duck beneath an over hang and head up canyon.

A balancing rock in the distance.  How do those things stay that way?

The trail mostly stays above the canyon, on the right side but sometimes dips.....

....into the bottom where there are multiple fun obstacles to navigate.

Climbing a few walls requires the use of hands and knees.

It's a dramatic scene, enhanced by building clouds.  It rained, lightly and briefly.

Especially fun was hiking along a slope with a lot of loose shale.  Had to be very careful in here.

At last!  We close on a ridge and beyond is.....

....a fabulous scene with Weaver's Needle on the right.  Note the hill on the right that burned this summer during a major fire.

From this point, we would follow the Ridgeline Trail to the Peak.  Note the woman standing on an outcropping, to the right.

Alas, we started too late to actually reach the peak so we explored a bit and then....

...retraced our route.  I've visited the peak a few times so it didn't bother me to have to pull the plug but regretted that Amy did not experience the exciting hike to the peak.

Carefully we descend, watching for obstacles both below and at head high.  Finished with 6.3 miles and 2300' of climbing.

My first visit to the burn area via Pima Canyon.  There was no signage at the trail head warning not to venture beyond a certain distance so I was hopeful I could go the 3 miles on the trail where I could access a ravine that would lead me to Table Mountain.  Thats it, upper left in the above image.  Last time I hiked it, I thought the ravine needed a good burn as it had become densely vegetated.   

At mile 2, I came to the burn area and a sign stating the trail was closed.  A volunteer ranger  had also warned me of the trail closure during my hike.  He claimed the ask was 3-4" deep in places.  

You don't realize how rock laden is the landscape when all the brush and trees are present but once they have burned, it gives a clear impression.  I decided not to proceed farther so did not make it to the ravine leading up to Table.  

I turned back and headed instead.....

....up the ridge that leads to the Cleaver.  It was outside the burn area and good for hiking.  Looking back to the floor of Pima Canyon.  Alas....

....I was wearing shorts and did not want to push through a variety of nastiness so headed back to the trail head, finishing with about 4 miles.  Well, headed to the Super for a big hike.

Driving through Sedona, we find Schnebly Hill Road where just before the pavement ends, reach a large parking lot to hook up with the "Arizona Strong Hikers" group.  We were lucky to snag two of the ten available spots for one of the premiere hiking loops in Sedona. The sun is rising as are many hot air balloons, all up to enjoy the brilliant dawn show.

The organizer of our group, Wade, gathers us for the introductions and then we leave, promptly at the designated start time of 7am.  Of the many things I enjoy about Wade's hikes, always departing on time is high on the list.  Today's trek begins on the "Munds Wagon Trail".

To describe the hiking pace as brisk would be a gross understatement so rather than hold people up, I drifted to the back of the line to take an image or two.  Then, to close the gap I'd scamper to the end of the line.  Considering our surroundings, I'd have enjoyed a pause now and then to take more pictures BUT....since Wade will be reading this, IN NO WAY IS THIS CRITICISM!!  To get on Wade's bad side means never finding oneself getting off the "Waitlist". lol.

At trail junctions, we would always pause to regroup but all of us managed to maintain the pace, averaging over 3mph, not counting stops or rest breaks.  There are some very fit hikers, actually, better said, there are no unfit hikers in the group.  The name of the group, Arizona Strong Hikers, is apt. The trail rises modestly but is almost always rising so soon....

.....with the sun up, the scenery is brilliant.  We reach a knob or butte called the "Merry-Go-Round and decide to scramble up.

The slopes of the feature are steep but manageable and we all enjoy our time at the top.  Amy especially enjoys the scrambling and on this hike, there is plenty of it.

We resume our hike and soon, looking back, get a good look at the Merry-Go-Round.  From a distance, it's hard to believe that we scrambled, clockwise, around and up it as the slope looks impossible to manage.

Occasionally we would emerge on flat, red rock and enjoy the change while always....

....admiring the views.  Just awesome.  At about mile 7, Wade signals we....

....can take a lunch break.  A large boulder provides ample shade as we look across the valley, soaking in the scenery.  Eventually, we gear up to resume our hike but not before....

....the happy couple have an image taken with a brilliant background.  Hmmmm, I'm looking kind of paunchy:(. The hike begins anew on the....

....Hangover Trail.  The trail encircles, or nearly so, a large butte.  Note the cliffs that hang over the trail and do so for a great distance.  Soon, our effort brings us within site of our next destination....

....Elephant Arch (note the arch on the left side).  The scramble up that is great fun and once inside the arch....

....WOW.  Only 1 or 2 people can fit in it at a time so after taking my image, I slide down the other side, work my way back around and able to take an image of....

....Amy, posing inside.  Once we finish that visit, we climb down a band or two of rock and....

....hike to the other side and....

...scramble to another arch and above it, the top.  Wade and Karyn successfully having summited it.  I think I set a new personal record for amount of time "butt hiking" as several times I was more comfortable sliding then standing.  We resumed our hike.....

....the track of which is seen above.  We finished the hike with 12 miles and a little over 2000' of elevation gain.  Our reward was to drive to the nearby town of Cottonwood where....

....most of us gathered at "Colt 804 Grill" for good food, a beer by the name of "That" and shaded eating.  Left to right, Kimberly, Tom, Karyn, me, Amy and Michael.  Thanks to Wade for use of this image.

About 30 minutes from me and about 2000' higher is the small town of Oracle.  With summer highs being what they were, that additional elevation isn't enough to offset the heat.  Now, even though our temps remain unusually warm, it's a great place to start a hike and so I started on the Oracle Ridge Trail.  It is believed that a couple by the name Sara and John Lemmon, hiked this route in the 1880's to the summit of the prominent mountain.  Soon thereafter, John named the mountain in honor of his wife, thus Mount Lemmon acquired its name.

There are multiple steep ramps during the first mile and elevation is quickly gained, delivering great views

Hey!  There's the Biosphere II in the distance.

Oh gee. I stopped several times to admire the views and took many images.

Previously, there had been no trail signage but at mile 2.6 came to this one.  Ran into a group of 9 hikers who were doing a loop and had a nice chat with them.  One guy said I was brave to be out here alone.  Soon after they departed, I removed my M&P .380, as planned as the area is very remote.  It makes a nice noise maker and I have practiced enough that I probably won't shoot myself.

At times, the trail is a dirt road and other times a trail but always easy to follow.  I had a gps on my phone as a backup should I need it but I never had to reference it.  In the distance, Apache Peak.  The trail would climb much of it before going counterclockwise around it.

There was a very nice water tank that had so much water some of it was seeping down hill.  I thought that odd considering the lack of rain this year.  Would be great to have a wildlife camera here to see all that come for a drink.

Soon thereafter, I arrived at the beginning of the burn area, clearly shown in the above image.  When watching the Bighorn fire blaze from a distance, this summer, it appeared all was engulfed in flames but there are many areas that were spared, apparently there not being sufficient fuel for the fire.

Brush had been cleared in places to create a fire break.

A couple of times, forest service roads merged with the trail but to me, it was always obvious how to proceed.  

I worked my way around Apache Peak and tossed through a couple of gates, being careful to always close them behind me.  There was evidence of cattle grazing and would not want them to exploit an open gate.

I looked carefully for a cairn or something to mark a route to Apache Peak but did not find one.  Being in the burn area, I should turn around and soon did as I was not going to make it to my original destination of Rice Peak.

I was kind of mesmerized by the views and kept wanting to see what was around the next turn or rise.

The burn damage wasn't all that bad and it appears this area will quickly recover although the above image suggests otherwise.

Rice Peak in the distance but I had turned around, spitting the bit on today's destination.

Wow.  Mount Lemmon in the distance.

Another.

Note the seed pods on the above plant.  Rain, great fertilizer and seeds.  Next year it will look much different.

A long dead tree stands beside the trail has I return, finishing with 10 miles and 2400' of climbing.  Great hike, great views.  And now it's to Sedona for an epic.  More to come, soon.