HikeLemmon

On the Landscape of the Santa Catalina Mountains

Pink Tank - 7/12/2016

Created by Charles Miles on 8/6/2016.

2016 July Ocotillo Near Pink Tank
2016 July Ocotillo Near Pink Tank. Charles Miles. 7/12/2016.

Pink Tank is one of the seemingly infinite number of named tanks scattered across Southern Arizona - I am not sure why so many have names, perhaps because the water they - sometimes - hold is so important? Or maybe just because the effort to build a tank in, essentially, the middle of nowhere takes enough effort that someone wanted it remembered?

2016 July Pink Tank
2016 July Pink Tank. Charles Miles. 7/12/2016.

An old road splits from FR4407 and leads out to a flat area above the tank - there is an obvious fire ring, but it doesn't look frequently used. Pink Tank is holding more water than I expected and the green grass is a slight surprise - as is the generous amount of deep soft mud around the tank and under the grass. It is the middle of a hot day so I don't stay long before making the short hike back.

2016 July Walking back to Fr4407 on the Two Track to Pink Tank
2016 July Walking back to Fr4407 on the Two Track to Pink Tank. Charles Miles. 7/12/2016.

I assume these tanks will be a visible part of the landscape for many many years - I wonder if there is a future where water concerns and ranches are distant memories and someone will try to match the locations of tanks to patterns - constellations, Arizona cities, position of solar and lunar events - assuming there must a greater purpose - something more than a more water and more cattle - behind the decision to spend time and effort creating endless tanks across the desert.


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