Scrambling Around the 7 Falls

A cool day with highs only in the low 70's.  Been unusually cool for October.  To Sabino Canyon for a hike to 7 Falls.  Entering Bear Canyon, I encounter the first of 5-6 stream crossings required to make it to the falls.  Abundant stepping stones makes the crossings easy.

Interesting and beautiful rock strata or layers along the canyon walls.  I had to skip across a rock fall that spilled onto the trail from just last week.  The canyons are always changing.

Another stream crossing with a large pool. At the 4.4 mile point I.....

….reached a point on the trail that overlooks the falls.  Yep, there are 7 of them.

I climb down, look around, take my pack off and pick my way up a level....

….now looking back down from where the previous image was taken.  A couple of hikers on the left are about to reach the destination.

I climb up to another section.  That ascent is kind of exposed and I ascend very carefully.  Another pool into which the falls is pouring. Some large fish are in here. The climb to the next level is doable but looks sketchy so I head back down and begin the return.

The rains have brought lots of color to the landscape.

Behind the forest of Saguaros is Cathedral Rock. It is the high point in the front range of the Catalinas at almost 8000'.  17 mile round trip hike.  Thinking about it but such a long day and so much climbing.  The descent will be brutal.  We'll see.