Pontatoc Ridge Trail – 4/3/2016
Author: Charles Miles
Death, Rabies, Snow, Dazzling Cactus – 4/28/2016
Three bighorn sheep die, mountain lion is killed – tucson.com: In the month of April 3 ewes were killed mountain lions and two mountain lions associated with the deaths were killed. Arizona Game and Fish now reports the number of living collared Bighorn in the Santa Catalina Mountains to be 38 while estimating the number of bighorn in the range at 80+.
Rabid Skunks have been confirmed in a number of Pima County locations including the Summerhaven area in the Santa Catalina Mountains – avoid contact with and don’t approach wildlife that are behaving abnormally or appear to be ill. If you believe that you see a rabid animal, call AZGFD at 1-623-236-7201 or the Pima County Health Department at (520) 724-7797 immediately. More information on rabies from the CDC. AZ Game and Fish expands rabid skunk warning – TucsonNewNow, State issues warning about rabid skunks – KGUN9.
Take a Hike: Seven Falls trail is a great to get out and see Sonoran beauty – The Daily Wildcat, Springtime in Sabino Canyon: An excursion into beauty – tucson.com, Tucson Desert bursts into dazzling cactus bloom – tucson.com: Great hikes, destinations and inspiration in this collection of articles.
Snow on Mount Lemmon, rain for Tucson – tucson.com: Snow! While this article doesn’t have any snow covered pictures of the mountain it does briefly note that in early April a storm managed to bring snow and ice to the mountain – maybe for the last time this season?
In April Mauricio Carreon-Maltos died in the Seven Falls area – there was a large multi-agency search for him – unfortunately with a tragic ending. From a post on the Southern Arizona Rescue Association Facebook page:
On Saturday, April 16, Pima County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue unit and SARA concluded the longest and most intensive search in Pima County since August of 2004. SARA is deeply saddened of the outcome and extends our heartfelt condolences to family of Mauricio Carreon-Maltos.
Ultimately, local Pima County volunteer SAR teams supplied over 1600 person-hours. SARA is especially grateful for the assistance of the volunteer ground, dog, and mounted search teams from Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, and Yavapai counties, and for the other agencies involved, all of whom together supplied an additional nearly 1200 hours to the seven-day search effort. Many thanks also to the watchful and attentive public during this time. Thank you.
Search continues for missing hiker in Sabino Canyon – Tucson News Now, Manpower increases in Day 3 of search for missing hiker – KVOA.com, Search continues for hiker missing since Friday – Tucson News Now, Mother of missing hiker speaks out about her son – Tucson News Now, Hiker’s body found in Sabino Canyon – KVOA.com, Family mourns death of missing hiker – KVOA.com.
Rescues/Accidents/Incidents including information from the SARCI Newsletter – :
- Ventana Trail 3/3/2016 – A hiker on the trail after dark without a light was unable to follow the trail somewhere below Maiden Pools – a friend was able to help her down the trail.
- Romero Canyon 3/4/2016 – Two hikers were separated on the way back from Romero Pools – one was reported missing but eventually made it back to the trailhead without assistance.
- Seven Falls 3/7/2016 – A group of hikers was worried about continuing after sunset in the rain – in the end they made it back to the trailhead without needing assistance.
- Seven Falls 3/10/2016 – A cardiac arrest resulted in a hiker being declared deceased on the trail and flown out from Seven Falls. Hiker with medical issue dies at Seven Falls – tucson.com.
- Agua Caliente Canyon 3/15/2016 – A hiker requested help after attempting to hike down canyon – he was met and helped out via trails in the area.
- Romero Canyon Trail 3/17/2016 – An exhausted hiker is able to hike out with assistance.
- Seven Falls Trail 3/18/2016 – A hiker with an injured ankle is assisted out by stokes and mule.
Edgar Canyon, Davis Spring Trail, Point 5817 – 4/1/2016
Looking down into the San Pedro Valley from high on the highway there are a huge number of ridges and peaks to draw your attention – one particularly beautiful peak is Point 5817. Point 5817 is not a massive peak or towering spire – it doesn’t even have a name – but its large cliffs stand out from the surrounding terrain.
We drive around the north end of the Santa Catalina Mountains, down the San Pedro, past the junction with Redington Road, thru the Six Bar Ranch and out to the Davis Spring Trailhead. The road seems a little rougher than it did in 2014. The trailhead is empty – probably be true most days, I don’t think this area is popular with hikers at the moment and is likely more often used by hunters.
One of the tanks below Davis Spring is full and pipes still take water down to the corral. At the corral we leave from the trail sign, but our first guess at the trail is a cow path to nowhere – unsure if the Davis Spring Trail really still exists in any useful form we give up and drop into Edgar Canyon – a great decision that quickly leads to unique rocks, flowing water and reasonably easy walking.
A few minutes above a section of unusual rock we are surprised to find the Davis Spring Trail – and even more surprised that we can easily follow the trail past the junction sign for the Knagge Trail and nearly to Araster Spring before it eludes us on a grassy hillside.
Araster Spring is covered with leaves, the canyon is flowing nearby – a great spot for a a short break before the climb up to the ridge to the north. The hike up to the ridge is filled with steep climbs on grassy hillsides with great views of our destination, Point 5817.
Up on the ridge a barbed wire fence becomes our path and at a small saddle what seems to be a seat hangs on the barbed wire fence surrounded by an old gate, a section of fence pulled down by a tree, a pallet that probably held fencing supplies, old rusted out cans and a shirt nearly destroyed by the elements.
Shadows cover the landscape – from the summit of Peak 5817 the sunset lights up the Galiuros, a nice distraction before the slowest section of the hike – a loose slippery grass filled hillside back down to the trail.
If you are interested in visiting this area see the information at the bottom of this post on visiting Evans Mountain – there is information about the drive to the Davis Spring Trailhead from Tucson, several trip reports from the area and some information about the Six Bar Ranch.
Window Rock – 3/26/2016
The bottom section of the Ventana Trail is hot and at Maiden Pools I think about a long stop to enjoy the water, canyon and flowers – but the stiff up-canyon breeze keeps me moving up the canyon towards the Window.
I chat with friendly hikers coming down who encourage me upwards with smiles and promises of great views – and give me an excuse to take short breaks on the steep climb up to the hillside junction where the Ventana Trail ends as it meets the Esperero and Finger Rock Trails.
The Esperero Trail continues climbing, eventually reaching the ridge that leads to Window Rock – the views from this ridge are the highlight of the hike. After a few more short climbs the Window comes into view – just off the trail and easy to find – the other hikers have gone and I sit in silence.
I want to wait for sunset at the Window – my schedule today won’t allow it – but it is impossible to be disappointed by the dark shadows moving across the canyon and sunset lit east ridge on the hike down.
Cow Paths in Catalina State Park, Redington Pass Cleanup – 3/28/2016
We followed well trodden trails covered in cow tracks to flowers and views of the Santa Catalina Mountains…
The Friends of Redington Pass have posted on Facebook that they are partnering with Tread Lightly! are holding a clean up in Redington Pass on Mary 7th at 9am – their last event “removed 7 tons of trash and an abandoned vehicle from the Pass”!