Two Hikes in One Day

Visited the Oro Valley Wine Festival.  Great scenery and weather.  Then.....

….went hiking with a friend on Sunday morning.  Tucsonans love the area's hiking trails as we did a fun loop hike off Speedway Road on the north end of Saguaro East NP.  Finishing the hike and since I was on the east side I.....

….drove a couple of miles up Reddington Road.  The road goes clockwise around Mount Lemmon and drops into the town of Oracle on the northwest side.  Never explored that as it is too rough for a car but I have acquired a gravel bike so will give it a go.

The amount of traffic on this dirt road amazes me.  Many dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, trucks, etc...  Met a family who rented the above for $300 for a 4 hour experience.

As I had been thwarted twice before on a hike, I revisited Tanque Verde Canyon to check out the falls. The scramble through the boulder field is just a lot of fun.  I also enjoy the challenge of route finding.

There are several beaches and many pools....

….where even the dogs enjoy taking a swim.  Today the temperature was in the low 70's but the water was very cold.

A woman having no top and a man having no bottom wear approached and passed.  We exchanged greetings as I made sure I stared at their heads. I had entered an area visited by nudists.  Then a guy suddenly emerged upstream, completely naked, jumping from boulder to boulder.  I really wish I could unsee that.

I reached the base of the 30' falls.  There is a wall on the right side that I had not previously climbed but did so and.....

….the view down stream was great.  I took a quick look at the beach area where there were clothed and unclothed individuals and then headed up a trail.

The climb out is relatively easy and towards the end of the trail....

….there is the usual signage warning of the dangers below.  Also on the sign are warnings about what else you may encounter.  Fun but short hike.  Just right as an add on to another hike as I did today.