We had
another wonderful hike this week. Our group of eight started out at our regular
8:30 starting time. Beautiful skies and
weather greeted us as we headed out to the Catalina State Park. Our destination – The Sutherland Trail - was
exciting to me, because it was a completely new hike for me. I know what you’re thinking, “she’s the
novice hiker, and most of the trails are new to her”. Yes, quite true, but I have done a couple of
the hikes more than once now. One of
them – Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon – I have done 3 times now!
The
Sutherland Trail is an ‘out and back’ hike.
It is approx. 5 mi. round trip and has an elevation gain of approx.
700 ft.
A short
walk from the parking lot leads us to the first crossing of three crossing of
the Sutherland Wash. There was a good
amount of water going through because of recent snow and the fact that it is
still melting and running down from the mountains. Everyone was very surefooted and we kept dry
as we crossed and continued.
Gordy and Ernie |
This
was a very pretty hike with beautiful yellow poppies in abundance along the
trail. There were a large quantity of saguaro,
prickly pear, and ever present cholla also.
Majestic saguaro |
Yellow poppies in abundance |
The
elevation gain was mainly at the beginning of the trail, but we weren't able to
get too comfortable with plateau living before another climb was
necessary. I really enjoy these types of
hikes. Climbing with plateaus interspersed. It kind of gives you a chance to catch your
breath and enjoy the views. Oh yes, the
views. The ever-present mountain views
kept it very interesting.
There were
also some very interesting rock formations along the trail. There was one I just couldn't seem to tear my
eyes away from. The shape (to me) seemed
to be of an elongated head like you see in Aztec carvings. The front of it even looked like a face had
been carved into it. Okay, okay, so my
imagination runs wild out there. That’s
what makes it so interesting to me and keeps me coming back.
What do you think? Spaceman head? Face on left.... |
We stopped
at an area with pools and a large flat rock expanse which was perfect for our
lunch break. There was quite a bit of
water running through these streams and pools also. It was nice enough outside for several of our
group to remove their shoes and socks and soak their feet in that cold
water. BRRRR!
Judy - after she put her shoes back on. |
Ernie and Jim sans shoes |
Well, just in case you think you're getting away without a bit of history this week....
History of
how the Sutherland Trail got its name:
The
Sutherland Trail was named for a family that settled in this area in the 1800s.
In 1892, William Henry Sutherland sold
his interest in the Arizona Stage Company, which ran from Casa Grande to Tucson.
He felt cattle ranching would be more lucrative and, with his sons, built a
ranch house and well at the mouth of Cargodera Canyon; one can still see the
ruins today. Cattle usually range within one and one-half miles of a water
source, and the Sutherland ranch stood on the banks of a wide wash, now named
after him, to insure his cattle had water. Like many ranching families,
Sutherland owned a home in Tucson and the family spent only part of the year on
the ranch. Today Sutherland's ranch can be identified by two-foot high adobe
walls, slowly melting into the desert. The ranch house is 28 feet long and 18
feet wide. An old road is still visible, running out of Sutherland Wash and
heading northeast toward the mountains. There is a lot more history that goes with the Sutherland; Chicago gangsters, whiskey stills, and more. But, this is a blog about hiking so I have to keep it short.
Now that I
know a little history of the trail, I would like to go back and see if I can
find the ruins….
BTW…some of
us did 2 hikes this week. The one at
Sabino Canyon directly follows this posting. Enjoy!
I found a perfect alcove to have lunch - shoes on! |
See you on the trails......
All Im saying is Enemy Mine head with the bolder.
ReplyDeleteI know right?
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