The Water Tank

Traffic to my simple blog has increased lately.  I suspect it has something to do with the Coronavirus.  Perhaps some of the sites you typically visit have become non stop discussion on the Wu-Flu but of course, that can't happen here.  My hiking and cycling activities continue with a week on the coast of CA coming up real soon.  Anyway, visited Catalina State Park where I have recently discovered a network of trails that are not on the Park's trail map.  The trails lead to some very interesting places.

Two of us followed a trail that kind of paralleled Pusch Ridge while making steady progress toward the mountains.  We ran into a guy coming the other way that described a route that ended at the base of Table Mountain, above in the center of the image.  Oh that would make for a great hike simply to reach the base and look up at the granite wall.  Not sure why that appeals to me as much as it does.  Sounds like a 12 mile round trip hike.

We were under supplied for that undertaking but kept going as the man told us about a huge water tank not too far ahead of us.  How bout that!?  There is a rectangular cement tank with water and a wild life camera and then an enormous....

….round tank filled to the brim.  Water was entering it via a pipe and excess was flowing over the side, creating an oasis of green.  It was a really neat place.  We continued on the trail then hit a side trail marked by a cairn as described by the other hiker.

I've always wanted to visit that long, granite wall, above to the right.  It is distinctive even from Oracle Road.  I think I could make it there and do the Table Mountain wall in one hike.

The hiker also described a tilted slab of granite that made for a great lounging area and sure enough we found it.  This at mile 3.5ish where we sat, refueled and admired awesome views of the valley.
The weather has been rather strange.  I've been coming here since 2011 and a March is predictable with sun all days but 1-2 and temps in the 70's and 80's.  Ran into a couple from Belgium who visit here, every March, for 13 years.  They've never experienced a March like this one.  Rain was forecast for 4 days this week.  Never seen more than two.  It didn't rain all day but the threat was there and impacted my outdoor activity.  My cycling is way behind schedule.  I wanted to get out 5-6 days a week but it's been more like 2-3 times a week.  Well, headed to Kitt Peak to ride up that today.