Bellota Trail, Molino Basin to Redington Road – 3/26/2017

Beautiful green below West Spring near the large tank on the Bellota Trail. March 2017.
Beautiful green below West Spring near the large tank on the Bellota Trail. March 2017.

Pieces of the Bellota Trail are easy to see from the Molino Basin Parking Area or the Italian Spring Trailhead, but at over 20 miles for a full out and back it’s a long day to see the whole thing – so it was lucky to find a friend interested in doing a car swap/key exchange allowing me to make the rather beautiful trip out of the Santa Catalina Mountains over to Redington Road with a casual start, relaxed pace and plenty of time to enjoy the journey!

Scarlet Pimpernel high in Agua Caliente Canyon where the Bellota Trail crosses after leaving FR36A. March 2017.
Scarlet Pimpernel high in Agua Caliente Canyon at the Bellota Trail crossing (after the trail leaves FR36A). March 2017.
The Lake - this pool of water is just off the Arizona Trail (Bellota Trail) near 'The Lake' Trailhead on FR36. March 2017.
The Lake – this pool of water is just off the Arizona Trail (Bellota Trail) near The Lake Trailhead on FR36. March 2017.
Looking towards the Evans Mountain from Point 4622, just off the Bellota Trail. March 2017.
Looking towards the Evans Mountain from Point 4622, just off the Bellota Trail. March 2017.