Tanque Verde Falls and Aqua Caliente Park

We were a small group this week.  There were only 6 of us: JoAnn, Ernie, LaNeta, Gordy, Bonnie, and myself.  The weather was perfect for hiking – sunny, cool starting out, but with temps expected to climb to about 70 – we couldn't ask for better.  We had a bonus hiking day this week.  We were actually able to visit two beautiful areas and accomplish two short hikes totally about 5.5 miles.

Ernie laughing at Clothing Optional handwritten note

We first traveled to Redington Pass to visit Tanque Verde Falls.  Redington Pass is located between the Catalina Mountains and the Rincon Mountains.  This was my first trip to the area but I had heard quite a bit about it from other hikers.  It is known for camping, target shooting, biking, hiking, swimming (when water levels allow) and nude sun bathing.  Yes, nudists frequent the area.  I think the cool temps saved us on our hike.  We only saw a few hikers – fully clothed.  

Starting out on the first of 2 trailheads 

We hiked two short trails in the upper Tanque Verde Falls.  The first o ne we chose was pretty easy to climb, but we reached a spot that had a pretty steep drop.  It was determined that without ropes we probably wouldn't be able to climb back out, so we turned around and backtracked to the 
trailhead.  

Ernie kind of scouted ahead and found a second trail not too far down the dirt road so we decided to try that one.  It was a lot more manageable as far as trails go...no steep drop offs, and no terribly difficult stretches of high climbs.  Very moderate hiking. There were some challenging areas which is exactly what we want on a hike – a little something to get the heart rate going, and we made very good time getting to the falls.  

I have to admit I was impressed with the views and the hike in general, but I'm sure I was unable to hide my disappointment at the fact that there was hardly any water visible at the falls.  I had heard so many wonderful things about the waterfalls and scenic views, and we figured since we had had an abundance of rain just two weeks before, the falls would be in full glory.  Not so.  To our dismay there wasn't any water spilling over the top of the falls.  We hiked down to the nude beach area (where thankfully there weren't any nudists present ) and decided to have our lunch here. 

Exploring

JoAnn and LaNeta 

Gordy

 Even though the falls didn't cooperate, the streams below were beautiful!  The water was running clear and cold.  We of course saw the ever-present tracks of many small animals – raccoon, bobcats, maybe a few coyote, that had walked along the edge of the streams for a drink.  It was so peaceful and beautiful while we enjoyed our lunches, I for one found it difficult to think of leaving.  I could have sat in that little canyon and read an entire book without moving.  Breathtaking!  

We started back to the trailhead after lunch and this is when Ernie had the idea of a second hike piggybacked onto this one.  We usually try to hike a minimum of 5 miles each week, and were quite sure this was only about 4.  Since we were going to go back right past Roy P. Drachman Aqua Caliente Park, we decided to stop there and get in a little more mileage.  This park had been on Bonnie’s bucket list so she was extremely happy.

It took us about 15 minutes from Tanque Verde Falls to Aqua Caliente Park.  It had warmed up and was beautiful at park.  There were families having lunches under the large trees.  Children chased ducks around the pond and it definitely lived up to its reputation of an oasis in the desert.   We decided we would walk around the large pond in front, but as strange as it seems…almost the same thing that happened at Tanque Verde Falls happened again!  

We got just so far on the trail and could go no further.  This time they had chained off the area going around the pond in one direction.  Oh well, backtracking is what we do best.  We headed back to the picnic area and saw that the building housing the gift shop and information was open so we went in.  We were pleasantly surprised to find a woman who gave us a short history the park and then invited us to view the art exhibit in the main room of the house. 

This roadrunner was determined not to have his picture taken. 

Add caption

We played peek-a-boo around and around back and forth...but you can see who won the battle.  Ha!  

The park has a fascinating history.  Beginning with the Hohokam people thousands of years ago; then its use as an army encampment in the mid 1800’s; then it’s being claimed to be used as a ranch and orchard; then it being operated as a resort because of the hot springs.  It changed hands several times (Bonnie actually knew one of the last families – the Filiatraults to own the property and rode horses with a member of the family).  Finally, in 1984 Roy Drachman, Tucson native who did much to help develop Tucson through his real estate ventures, donated over $200,000 dollars toward the purchase of Aqua Caliente.  It was then that Pima County acquired the property an opened Aqua Caliente Park in 1985.  It has gone through a lot of renovations over the years and the landscape and ponds are beautiful, even now when the trees along the paths are mostly bear.  Truly an oasis in the middle of the desert, with towering palm trees heralding its location.  The mountain views were breathtaking on all sides.

As we were completing our trek around the grounds and were about to head back to the parking lot we were surprised by a group of red-eared sliders sunning themselves in the pond.  There were so many we couldn't get an accurate count, but it had to be at least 15.  Fun.  

See you on the trails!

Upper Javelina Trail in the Tortolita Mountains

Sun on a hiking day is always a welcome sight

We returned to the Tortolita Mountains this week to hike the Upper Javelina Trail.  Many of you will remember our hiking the Wild Burro and Lower Javelina Trails  in December - if not there is also a blog post  on that hike.  That is the infamous hike where I was attacked by a jumping cholla cactus.  I am amazed that I agreed to return to the site of such trauma for me so soon, but such is life.  The Tortolita Mountain range boasts some 29 miles of trails, which includes classic Sonoran Desert terrain, rugged ridges, diverse wildlife, historic ruins and signs of prehistoric inhabitants.  The Upper and Lower Javelina are very good trails for visitors and novices – not that it is an easy hike, it is quite moderate,  with a lot of climbing – but it is very well marked.  It has brown markers with arrows along the trail showing the way.  We hiked a total of about 6 or so miles with the combination round trip of the Wild Burro and Upper Javelina Trails.

We started at the Wild Burro Trailhead at the parking lot and followed the markers to the junction of the Upper Javelina Trail.  The trail lead us up and around the Dove Mountain Golf Resort where we were able to view Baboquivari Peak, Picacho Peak and Mt. Lemmon.  We were also able to see Twin Peak.  It is no longer Twin Peaks – which has streets, schools and parks named after it – because a construction company has mined one of the peaks into oblivion because of the limestone it held.  I’m sure the other peak is destined for the same fate.  Kind of sad, but I guess that’s what you call progress….

This blog will be relatively short because we just were at Dove Mountain in December – different trail, but many of the same views.  Thankfully, we had none of the trauma/drama that went along with the December hike.

The weather was a little on the cool side so we were all pretty bundled up and as crazy as it seems, we never peeled off too many layers.  It would feel nice and warm in the sun and suddenly we would round a corner where there was mostly shade and we were chilled again.  It was clear and sunny and we had a marvelous time.  George had other obligations so he wasn't with us on this hike, but I was missing him with his little coffee candies about halfway in.  I was yelling “Who has the energy drops?  Who has the candy?”  My pleas went unanswered…. 

As we hike, some of us try to compare the difficulty of one hike to another.  I am finding this increasingly hard to do because every single hike is different.  The guides may indicate the mileage is comparable, or the elevation gain is about the same, but they can never tell you the terrain differences.  I believe in the hike to Seven Falls in the Sabino Canyon the elevation was about the same as this one, but we were very winded in a couple of areas here on the Upper Javelina that I can say didn't happen to me at Seven Falls.  I felt that the elevation gain was more concentrated on this hike.  That being said, once we made it to the summit of the trail, coming back down was much easier.  It amazed some of us to see trail bike tracks occasionally.  The trail is very tricky and has some close edges where there were some pretty dangerous drops.  I just couldn't imagine how bikers were able to manage it.  I guess that's why this blog is called the Novice Hiker and not the Novice Biker.

 The one thing that never changes - although it constantly evolves - no matter what mountain or what trail we are on, it the beauty of the trails.  Whether we are 30 minutes or 2 hours from home, once we are on the trail we are transported to another time another plane.  It is hard to explain, but the 3 or 4 hours we are out there in the wild completely dependent upon each other is a feeling like no other.

Even when civilization intrudes like this:  

Dove Mountain Golf resort

Somehow, coming around a bend in the trail around the mountain and seeing this big resort brings you back to the here and now.  No more dreaming of ancient Hohokam men cutting petroglyphs into the side of rocks or the women grinding corn on the stones.  

Ah, but I wax poetic.  After all, it's just a Wednesday morning hike....

Heading home again, home again, jiggety jig

Until next time....see you on the trails!

Return to Bear Canyon Trail in Beautiful Sabino Canyon

Beautiful view of Seven Falls

Our robust group of 9 met at our regular time of 8:30 a.m. and headed out to Sabino Canyon in the Coronado National Forest.  Most of our group has been to Sabino Canyon many times, and I was psyched to see how far I had progressed since last year when I hiked this for the first time.

This hike is listed as moderate on most of the trail guides and to a “Novice Hiker” that means the degree of difficulty is pretty high.  Sabino Canyon is located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The Bear Canyon trail is approximately 9 miles round trip. We cut about 4 miles off this total by taking the shuttle from the welcome center up to the actual trailhead. When I hiked this trail the first time, I was actually crawling up the rocks by the time we made it up to the Seven Falls.  

JoAnn leading us over one of the crossings

Everyone was very surefooted this hike

Gordy bringing up the rear

This is not an easy hike by any stretch of the imagination.  The trail crisscrosses over Sabino Creek and because of the melting snow up in the higher elevation of the Santa Catalina Mountains all of the crossings had plenty of water streaming through.  The first thing I would like to mention is that I did not slip off any stepping stones into the stream this year.  YAY!  I was seven for seven.  There are seven crossings going up and the same seven coming back down.

The canyon was even more beautiful than I remembered.  I guess on my first hike, I tried to keep my eyes on my feet to make sure I didn’t trip and fall.  It is one of the most beautiful hiking areas in southern Arizona. Not only do you see the ever present saguaro, cholla, and prickly pear cactus, but the streams flowing through and across the basin.  There are just breathtaking views.  The few photos I insert in this blog does not come close to capturing the real beauty.

Breathtaking view of the walls of the canyon from the trail

A little history of Sabino Canyon:  Some of the earliest human occupants of Sabino Canyon were the Native American Hohokam people.  There is evidence in pieces of pottery, or shards, and pit house foundations that the Hohokam people lived in the canyon between 300 and about 1400 AD. With the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, Sabino Canyon became part of the United States.  The Gadsden Purchase, or Treaty, was an agreement between the United States and Mexico, finalized in 1854, in which the United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico that later became part of Arizona and New Mexico.

One of many fallen boulders

In Tucson's early days, people took picnics to Sabino Canyon. In 1887, there was a big earthquake in Mexico, 150 miles away from Sabino Canyon. Many of the huge boulders you see in the canyon fell from the canyon walls or were moved in that quake. In 1890, the Forest Preservation Act was passed by the United States Congress and in 1905 when the Forest Service was created, Sabino Canyon came under its supervision.

One of the things that really stood out on this hike was the lack of blue skies.  If you notice pictures of other hikes we've been on, the sun is always high in the sky and the sky is usually so blue it looks artificial.  The lack of sunshine didn't dampen our spirits or diminish the beauty of the canyon.  It was about 80 degrees when we finished so it’s probably a good thing it was partially cloudy. 

It took us about an hour and a half to make it from the trailhead up to the falls.  That is where we took a nice break and had our lunch.  The pictures below show some the views we enjoyed while resting, eating and chatting.

Connie & LeNeta

Ernie & Gordy

JoAnn and Jim deciding the next hike

Connie catching a cat nap.

After a brief lunch we headed back down the trail.  It always seems much easier going down.  It was a wonderful hike - as usual.  Some of us  enjoyed picking out mountains we could see as we waited for the shuttle for the return trip to the parking lot.  Others used this time to catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation....

I wanted to take this boulder with me....

See you on the trails!

Catalina State Park

I have to give a shout out to our hike on Wednesday, January 9^th.  I was unable to do the blog that week, but we had an awesome time at the Catalina State Park.  We hiked the Canyon loop Trail combined with the Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail.  The total is approximately three miles with 100 ft. elevation gain.  Here are a few pictures of the hike....

The most amazing saguaro I have seen to date!  

It actually had a prickly pear cactus growing between it's arms!

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.  

See you on the trails!

Saguaro National Park West

Beautiful view of mist in the mountains 

Our hike this week took us to beautiful Saguaro National Park West in the Tucson Mountains.  Ten enthusiastic, overly bundled hikers (our temperatures here in Tucson had been below normal for 4 days and we had no idea what to expect up on the trails) met at the community center and started out at 8:30.  The weather was a little chilly, but beautiful Arizona sun did not let us down.  The morning was gorgeous. 

We got off to what we thought was a good start when JoAnn realized she had not placed her park pass on her windshield for the park rangers.  Not a huge problem because we had good old Jim to run - and I do mean run - back to the parking lot to put it in place. 

Run Jim, Run

We began our morning at the King Canyon Trailhead heading for the Gould Mine.  The Gould Mine was one of four mines of some consequence in the Tucson Mountains: Old Yuma, Gila Monster, Mile Wide, and Gould mines.  Sometime around 1906 S.H. Gould filed on nineteen claims for the Gould Copper Mining Company. As was the case with other mining companies, Gould encountered financial problems with the onset of the 1907 depression, but he succeeded in obtaining operating funds by taking a mortgage with the Pioneer Smelting Company from nearby Sasco. A thirty-five foot wide vein of copper was found at the 100 foot level. At the 200 foot level that vein broadened to a width of sixty feet. Unfortunately, an assay reported only three to four percent copper content in each ton of ore. Financial difficulty beset the Gould Company by the end of 1908 and it managed to survive only for a few more years by shipping excavated ore which had been stockpiled at the mine. It probably ceased operations sometime in 1911. In early 1915 the company was forced into bankruptcy and its claims were sold at a sheriff's auction. They were purchased by Douglas Gary of Tombstone who made no immediate attempt to operate the mine. For all the effort and investment only 45,000 pounds of copper with a value of $9,000 had been taken from the mine.

Copper mine desperadoes - LaNeta, Connie, Gina & me

We were able to see what was left of some of the buildings used for storage and shelter.  

JoAnn & Jim surveying the mine entrance

So how much barbed wire is needed?

There were barbed wire fences surrounding dangerous areas, such as the actual mine entrance, but of course that was meant for everyone except our adventurous Jim who spotted ringtail raccoons down in the shaft.

It took quite a hike to get to the mine and I was wondering if the men had to hike up to the mine every day or if they camped at the mine.  I found one picture online which showed the mining camp and it seemed to be at the base, not near the mine. 

Oh well, on with the hike….

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's on the trail we go....

I sometimes get caught up in the historic significance of the area, and fail to mention the beauty of what we see as we are hiking through the park.  The saguaro cactus that sometimes tower above us so high I can’t even figure out how to get the whole thing in the photos.  My good friend George told me last week, that I need a bigger camera.  L  Along trail we saw many different types of cactus, and we noticed a family of javelina on a lower trail from us.  Thank goodness, they were also downwind. 

Gordy measuring up to a saguaro - he lost

We proceeded from the mine past the Mam-A-Gah picnic area to the Sendero Esperanza Trail and from there to the Hugh Norris Trail.  The maps our leader JoAnn gets from the National Park Service are usually pretty accurate as far as the mileage of the trails and the elevation gain on each hike, but we had varying opinions on the distance of this one.  We all felt the total hike was more like 5 ½ or 6 miles rather than the 4+ miles the map was telling us.  Several of the group actually stayed behind when we stopped to take water and rest a little.  Being the novice hiker, I always push myself to keep up, so I made it to the saddle we were aiming for as a turn-around point.  I tell you, I was very glad that the trip back would be mainly downhill though.  OUCH!  My legs…. Anyway, enough with the whining! What are we hikers or cry-babies?  We made it to the saddle, and then doubled back, picked up the couple of people that had waited at the bottom, and trekked back to the Mam-A-Gah picnic area for MY favorite part of the hike….lunch.   

If you look real closely...saguaro are the supports 

After lunch, JoAnn located a shortcut that took us past a huge wash that probably looks more like a lake during monsoon season.  We didn't go into the wash, but those in the group that had been on this particular hike previously mentioned that there are petroglyphs on rocks along the wash.  It is just amazing that when you least expected - a petroglyph pops up.  Kind of like when my kids were young and their friends always seemed to show up right at dinner time.... Well, this hike was fantastic.  Wonderful weather, no mishaps, a lot of history and great fellowship.  

We retraced our steps past Gould Mine and took the loop trail back to the parking lot.  The total mileage again in question.  Boy, that hot tub is going to look good this evening.

Judy and Barb doing a few wardrobe adjustments?

See you on the trails!