Wasson Peak in the Tucson Mountains

Our goal in the distance...

Our hike this week took us to the Tucson Mountains to have a try at Wasson Peak (elevation 4,687 feet), the highest point in the Tucson Mountains.  I must admit right here and now that being the novice hiker, I was extremely apprehensive about this hike.  In the year since I joined our neighborhood hiking group, I had heard many times about Wasson Peak from my fellow hikers.  Many of them mentioned with pride having scaled to the top of Wasson Peak and some in the group had even pointed out the peak to me when we were on various other hikes in the Tucson Mountains.  I had pretty much talked myself out of trying the hike when it was described as difficult.  I even had a chance to opt out of even trying because we scheduled 2 hikes for this week; one hike would include the entire group following the Sendero Esperanza Trail until we crossed the Hugh Norris Trail.  At the saddle, part of the group, because of previous obligations,  would turn back around and return to the trailhead, making that hike a total of 4 miles round trip. The rest of the group would continue on the Hugh Norris Trail to Wasson Peak.  The total for this group would be 8 miles and 1,700 feet elevation gain.  I decided on the longer hike…I felt I could at least try.  I mean, nothing ventured – nothing gained right?  I could always sit at any point along the trail and wait for the others to come back and join them on the way back down.

Off we go, with Gordy bringing up the rear

We left our usual meeting place a little earlier in anticipation of the hike taking more time.  The weather was cool and overcast – perfect for hiking.  It only took us about 30 minutes to reach the trailhead and get started.

The first part of the trail is the sandy path of an old mine road.  I must mention that walking on sand that is gradually climbing in hiking boots is not the same as being barefoot at the beach.  It was along this sandy path that we came across the largest jackrabbit I had ever seen. It is also called a desert hare, but looked like a small deer to me.  Does anybody remember Twilight Zone the Movie?  Remember the segment with the little boy that could make things happen just by thinking them?  They were having a magic show and he had this one guy pull a rabbit out of a hat.  When he pulled the rabbit out, it was this huge, mutant, monster looking rabbit.  That’s what I thought of when we saw this rabbit. I am posting a picture from Wikipedia just as a point of information - I did not take this photo.  He was much too fast for me.  

Wikipedia photo

 We were really ready for the next part of the trail which is where we started climbing a series of switchbacks to the top of the ridge where it crosses the Hugh Norris Trail.  We gained about 600 feet on this first leg of our journey.  We were greeted with quite an array of wildflowers and of course the stately saguaro cactus forest. 

When we reached the third of several saddles along the Hugh Norris, half of our group turned back.  We said our goodbyes and continued along the ridge through areas with magnificent views.  I noticed that there weren’t as many saguaro cacti as we climbed higher.  There was more grass and different cactus such as ocotillo, prickly pear, mesquite, cat’s claws and of course my least favorite cactus the cholla.  

JoAnn and Gina leading on 

LaNeta, Gordy and Ernie going back

I was getting pretty winded as we continued our climb.  Jim took over as lead hiker with Gina right on his heels.  JoAnn and I brought up the rear.  I know that I mentioned more than once that I was tired.  JoAnn even agreed with me once.  We were getting close though….no turning back or stopping now….I had to push on.

We finally reached the summit and even though it was very overcast, we were able to see Brown Mountain and Golden Gate Mountain to the south, and the Rincon and Santa Catalina ranges to the east.  I had made it!  The novice hiker should at the very least be considered an intermediate hiker now.  The feeling of accomplishment is indescribable.  I really thank my group for putting up with all my whining and complaining for the past months, and for getting me to a point where I really feel proud of myself.  Love you guys!

Views from the top!

Jim and Gina waiting for JoAnn to sign the register

Much needed rest and lunch break

It was really worth the climb

Look at me Ma!  Top of the world!

See you on the trails.....

Return to Parker Canyon Lake in the Coronado National Forest

Beautiful and serene

I knew this was going to be a wonderful hike when I got up in the morning and came into the kitchen to start the coffee.  I opened my blinds and a red-tailed hawk flew onto my roof.  He crooked his head to one side as if to say “Are you ready? Let’s go”.  I told my fellow hikers that we were hiking like the ancient Native Americans, with the spirit of the hawk along with us.  Who says I have no imagination?  

Hawk is ready to lead the hike

Santa and elves fishing

Our hike this week was a return to Parker Canyon Lake.  If you remember our experience last year – the sudden rain and wind storm- this one was the exact opposite.  We were a small group – only 6 – and we started out a little bit earlier because of the distance we had to travel to the lake.  The drive is about 100 miles from Marana, AZ and took us just about 2 hours to arrive there.  The weather seems to always cooperate with our group and this day was no exception.  We arrived to blue skies and calm breezes, and several fishermen already with lines in the water.

Most people would say this hike is easy to moderate and I would tend to agree.  It is about 5 miles and the trail around the lake usually is a fairly level dirt pathway that, for the most part, stays within a few yards of the water.  We found the trail hard to follow at times because it seems it hasn’t been very traveled so far this season.  Maybe this is due to the rental of canoes, kayaks and paddleboats this season. 

Family canoeing & fishing

There were quite a few groups out enjoying the lake – boating, fishing, camping and of course hiking.  We thought it was probably because some schools were already celebrating spring break.

The lake looks small but as in many things – looks can be deceiving.  When you start the hike you can see less than half of lake and the size of the lake and the length of the hike are surprising because of the numerous inlets you continuously navigate adding to the coastline.  

One of many inlets

JoAnn - pointing the way

This is another one of those hikes that make me extremely thankful for our leader, JoAnn.  She has been on most of these hikes over the years and has a pretty good idea of the trails and which way to go, even when they are not clearly marked. 

Parker Canyon Lake is a beautiful 130-acre lake, the largest lake in the Coronado National Forest.   It is host to many wading birds, wintering eagles, and we were lucky enough to see a great grey heron soaring across the lake.  The lake was created in 1966 when the Arizona Game and Fish Department completed construction of an earthen dam at the junction of Parker Canyon, Collins Canyon, and Merritt Canyon in Canelo Hills southeast of Sonoita.  It is located just six miles north of the Mexico border. 

Ever have the feeling you were being watched?  lol

The "floating eye" in the sky

This would probably be a good time to mention "the blimp".  In the summer of 2012, the U.S. military started bringing back dozens of surveillance blimps from the battlefields of Afghanistan.  The 72-foot-long, unmanned surveillance blimp—sometimes called "the floating eye" when used to spot insurgents in Afghanistan—can help find drug runners and people trying to cross illegally into the U.S.  We had extremely good views of the blimp from the lake.  

Gordy, LaNita, Val, JoAnn and Judy

This was a very enjoyable hike.  We were able to take our time and really enjoy the scenery because there wasn't a lot of loose rocks or major climbing like some of the other trails.  

As always - we enjoyed beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and bonus - we visited one of the local wineries at the completion of the hike. Just as this was a return trip to Parker Canyon Lake, we revisited the Kief-Joshua Winery.  

It was very exciting because not only to they have the largest bloodhound I have ever seen, they also have sheep and goats and believe it or not - a wallaby!  This in itself is probably not that big of a deal, but one of the sheep had had a little baby just that morning, so going out and visiting with the new mother and baby was more interesting I think than finding out about the winery.  

Baby nursing

The baby didn't seem to be getting any milk - like we're all experts in the field right?  Anyway, we went in and got the owner and his wife and they came out and actually lay the ewe down (not an easy job) and held her down so the baby could nurse.  All very interesting.

Hikers - nursing their wine?

                   

That was one big hound dog!

I was telling him a secret....

A Wallaby!!!!

Stay thirsty my friend.  No that's not it.... 

Oh Yes!  I remember now...

See you on the trails...

Sutherland Trail - Catalina State Park

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......

Bear Canyon Trail to Seven Falls

The beauty of Seven Falls

This was an out of sync hike for me.  It wasn't done with our regular Wednesday hiking group, it was a couple from our regular group – LaNeta and Gordy and their son Carlan who was in town to visit, and a new friend Esther.  It was a gorgeous day for a hike and Carlan wanted to have another hike under his belt before heading back to the Dakotas and the cold and snow. 

Gordy & Carlan - Trailblazers extraordinaire 

We arrived at Sabino Canyon just in time for the 9a.m. tram up to the Bear Canyon trailhead.  We started out with expectations high because of recent storms that deposited snow up in the Catalina Mountains.  

As we crisscrossed the seven times over Sabino Creek, each crossing becoming a little more hazardous than the previous, we knew that the falls would be fabulous.  There was so much water in the creek we had to find new spots to cross even since we were there a few weeks ago.  This was because of the melting snow up in the higher elevation of the mountains.  Some hikers – not from our group, of course – actually removed their shoes and crossed in the bare feet.  This had to be a chilling experience; I mean we are talking about melting snow….

One hiker found bare feet easier

Esther demonstrating how to do it correctly

This is a pretty moderate hike which we all thoroughly enjoyed.  The Seven Falls hike is a total of about 7 miles from the parking lot to the base of the falls, with an elevation gain of approx. 700 ft.  It was a beautiful day and there were quite a few people on the trails.  I always say hikers are the friendliest people in the world because they are always willing to stop and share an adventure or point out something interesting on a trail that you may not be aware of.  Before moving to Tucson several years ago, I never thought of waterfalls in the middle of a desert, but they do exist and they are some of the most beautiful areas in the world. One of these is Seven Falls.  

LaNeta and Esther choosing the right rocks.....

LaNeta - with dry feet - trudging on ahead

We made pretty good time to the top and what awaited us was nothing short of spectacular.  Words – just like the photos it take every week for the blog – cannot convey the beauty that awaited us when we reached the top of the trail right across from the falls.  There were several people standing there taking pictures when we reached and although they had been there several times before, they said it was the first time they had seen the waterfalls so beautiful.  That was an understatement!  We were so excited to see all 7 falls flowing enough to view from the other side of the canyon.  We hurried across and settled under the falls to enjoy our lunch and rest for a few minutes before the hike back down.  I would like to add at this point that we reached the tram stop about 40 minutes before a tram was due so we hiked the additional 2 miles down to the parking lot.  I wasn't sure this was going to be a good idea since we were hiking again the next day, but what the heck.  I've become quite adventurous in my retirement.

 See you on the trails….