Author: Charles Miles

Window View, Flight from DFW – 11/14/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

Flying into Tucson from Dallas/Fort Worth I had a little luck – window seat facing the mountains, decent light, good weather – and was able to take a few pictures of the Santa Catalina Mountains –

Looking down on Agua Caliente Hill on a flight coming into Tucson from DFW. November 2015.
Looking down on Agua Caliente Hill on a flight coming into Tucson from DFW. November 2015.
Molino Canyon and the Highway with Airmen Peak, Guthrie Mountain, Green Mountain, Barnum Rock and Windy Point in the distance. November 2015.
Molino Canyon and the Highway with Airmen Peak, Guthrie Mountain, Green Mountain, Barnum Rock and Windy Point in the distance. November 2015.
Ventana, Bird, Rattlesnake, Sabino and Bear Canyons with the Summit Crags and top of the mountain in the background. November 2015.
Ventana, Bird, Rattlesnake, Sabino and Bear Canyons with the Summit Crags and top of the mountain in the background. November 2015.
The Cleaver, Bighorn Mountain, Table Mountain, Wolf's Teeth, Prominent Point, Finger Rock, Mount Kimball, Pontatoc Ridge. November 2015.
The Cleaver, Bighorn Mountain, Table Mountain, Wolf’s Teeth, Prominent Point, Finger Rock, Mount Kimball, Pontatoc Ridge. November 2015.
Pusch Peak rising from the southwest corner of the Santa Catalina Mountains. November 2015.
Pusch Peak rising from the southwest corner of the Santa Catalina Mountains. November 2015.

Molino Basin to Agua Caliente Hill – 10/31/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

Grass, grass and more grass – the Bellota Trail is covered in grass – hiding the trail and occasionally making the footing…interesting… Water is flowing at West Spring Tank and we almost get our feet wet at the junction with the La Milagrosa Trail.

Desert Tortoise using FR4445 above Agua Caliente Canyon. October 2015.
Desert Tortoise using FR4445 above Agua Caliente Canyon. October 2015.

Not long after turning onto FR4445 and beginning the descent into Agua Caliente Canyon we find a desert tortoise – perhaps enjoying a break from the tall grass?

Plentiful flowing water in Agua Caliente Canyon! A nice reason to pause before the long climb up to the Agua Caliente Hill Trail, past False Hope Hill and to the summit!

Water flowing in Agua Caliente Canyon at the FR4445 crossing. October 2015.
Water flowing in Agua Caliente Canyon at the FR4445 crossing. October 2015.
Agua Caliente Trail below False Hope Hill - heading for the summit! October 2015.
Agua Caliente Trail below False Hope Hill – heading for the summit! October 2015.
Butterflies and flowers at the end of October on the Agua Caliente Hill Trail. October 2015.
Butterflies and flowers at the end of October on the Agua Caliente Hill Trail. October 2015.

Molino Basin Parking Area, Bellota Trail, La Milagrosa Trail, FR4445, Agua Caliente Hill Trail, Agua Caliente Hill South Trailhead – 13.8 miles, +3200’/-4500′ of elevation gain/loss.

 

Oracle Ridge, Catalina Camp, Red Ridge – 10/15/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

The Oracle Ridge, Catalina Camp and Red Ridge Trail loop – big views, beautiful ridges, mines, roads, cattle, fire and aspens – this loop is not pure wilderness, but it is amazing, and perhaps all the better for the hints of the mountains past and future.

Moon on the old outhouse at One Park Place - an old mining camp that is strange, fascinating and slightly creepy all at the same time. October 2015.
Moon on the old outhouse at One Park Place – an old mining camp that is strange, fascinating and slightly creepy all at the same time. October 2015.
Colorful Madrone berries along the Red Ridge Trail. October 2015.
Colorful Madrone berries along the Red Ridge Trail. October 2015.
Rock along the Red Ridge Trail. October 2015.
Rock along the Red Ridge Trail. October 2015.
Late fall color high on the Red Ridge Trail. October 2015.
Late fall color high on the Red Ridge Trail. October 2015.

9.1 miles, 2500′ elevation gain/loss.

Corrals at the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area – 10/6/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

The horse corrals at the end of the road in the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site –

'Tucson Saddle Club'. October 2015.
Tucson Saddle Club donation sign. October 2015.
'In Memory of Richard Dawson'. October 2015.
‘In Memory of Richard Dawson’. October 2015.
'Donated by County Line Riders of Catalina'. October 2015.
‘Donated by County Line Riders of Catalina’. October 2015.
'Sheriff's Posse'. October 2015.
‘Sheriff’s Posse’. October 2015.
Corrals in the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area, Santa Catalina Mountains. October 2015.
Corrals in the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area, Santa Catalina Mountains. October 2015.

I don’t know when these were built (early 2000s?) or how frequently they are used – but the County Line Riders of Catalina, Tucson Saddle Club and the Pima County Sheriff’s Posse, who donated corrals, are still active and easy to find information about.

Unfortunately I have not yet been able to find any information about the ‘In Memory of Richard Dawson’ dedication.

Prison Camp to Sabino Canyon – 10/6/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
A wall near the top of the Sycamore Reservoir dam. October 2015.
A wall near the top of the Sycamore Reservoir dam. October 2015.
Looking across the Santa Catalina Mountains - from near Shreve Saddle, looking down on Sycamore Reservoir. October 2015.
Looking across the Santa Catalina Mountains – from near Shreve Saddle, looking down on Sycamore Reservoir. October 2015.
Looking back towards the Prison Camp area from the Bear Canyon Trail - fast moving clouds covering the mountains. October 2015.
Looking back towards the Prison Camp area from the Bear Canyon Trail – fast moving clouds covering the mountains. October 2015.
Looking down Bear Canyon - rain in Tucson and a break in the clouds above. October 2015.
Looking down Bear Canyon – rain in Tucson and a break in the clouds above. October 2015.

Waves of rain and hail were the highlights of the day – it was beautiful to see the mountain covered in clouds and wet with rain!