Author: Charles Miles

5/2 Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction Project Update and News Update

Posted - Charles Miles

Status update for 4/14 to 4/27 (all updates are currently available here). There were no deaths during this period. Five lambs have been observed and another video of the lambs has been released. The update makes some notes about fire regarding management options, fires that have burned in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness and it’s impact on habitat – interesting for the perspective and historical details.

The Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club has sent and published letters expressing concern over the Bighorn reintroduction to Arizona Game and Fish and the Coronado National Forest. I thought the questions about habitat that both letters raised were interesting – they note the decision to go ahead with this project even though much of the habitat the sheep were released into was rated ‘poor to fair’ and inability of the project to address development around the mountain which may have been a factor in their disappearance. Also mentioned in the letters are potential impacts to the Wilderness values of the area and a request for information on/evaluation of the impacts on the Bighorn Sheep populations where individuals have been removed for translocation. The letters and some brief reactions are covered in this article from the Arizona Daily Star – in the article a representative from Arizona Game and Fish states that “a decision has not been made yet on whether to proceed with plans to release another 30 bighorn sheep in the Catalinas this fall”.

The annual restrictions on off-trail travel in the Bighorn Management Area ended April 30 – it will be interesting to see if hikers begin to report seeing the sheep and if that has an impact on public opinion, although the temperatures in Tucson at the moment are less than ideal for exploring the Pusch Ridge area…

 

On Thursday, May 1, there was a public meeting about the Recreation Concept Plan for Sabino Canyon – Tucson News Now reports that “Several issues were brought up for discussion, including parking improvements, an eco-friendly shuttle system, new shuttle routes, extended bicycle hours and improved signage along the trails and expanding the current visitor’s center, among many other sggestions.” The article also notes that comments can be emailed to Linda Stamer at [email protected] until 6/1.

 

A time lapse of the April 15 Lunar Eclipse from the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter by Adam Block was featured on Astronomy Picture of the Day.

 

Canceled race leaves many Mt. Lemmon marathon runners without refunds – at least some entrants to the canceled The Mount Lemmon Marathon have not received refunds of their entry fees. A May 2 message on the Mount Lemmon Marathon notes the the event will no longer operate under the current owner and states:

“As of today the MLM staff is working on getting refunds set to send out. We do apologize it has taken so long. The operating costs of this events are very high and there are a number of event costs that we could not recoup. Our goal is to have refunds sent out with in two weeks. Do to the expenses involved, registration cmpany costs, medals, ins. etc. the refund amount will reflect some of the operational losses.”

 

4/30 – Reports from KGUN9 and Tucson New Now of an injured hiker being helped by PCSD and Rural Metro – I did not see any additional details but in the KGUN9 article the picture shows cars parked at Hairpin Turn near the base of the mountain.

Sutherland, Trail Link, 50 Year, Bridal Trail Loop – 2014/4/26

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

A storm coming thru the area allowed us to enjoy another day at lower elevations – cool weather and even some rain! This loop is about 10 miles and 1000 feet of cumulative elevation gain/loss starting/finishing at Catalina State Park – Sutherland Trail, Trail Link, 50 Year Trail, Bridal Trail – many other options in the area…

1404 Clouds over Pusch Ridge from the 50 Year Trail
Clouds over Pusch Ridge – the peak of Pusch Peak still visible on the right. April 2014.

 

1404 Cactus Flower in the Rain
The storm brought cool temperatures and rain – rain drops on a Prickly Pear flower. April 2014.

 

1404 Golder Dome and Grey Sky
Golder Dome – climbing information on Mountain Project and ClimbAZ. April 2014.

Mint Spring, Marshall Gulch, Blackett’s Ridge – 2014/4/19

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1404 Mint at Mint Spring
A small mint growing near Mint Spring. April 2014.

The gray overcast sky was a surprise and a delight when we looked outside – the temperatures have started to soar, reminding us of summer, but today was quite cool. Summerhaven was not as crowded as I expected for a holiday weekend and we were alone at the Mint Spring Trailhead. We hiked slowly – our friend was testing out a new pack and had it loaded with his overnight gear – savoring the views, watching birds and enjoying the clouds. We turned onto the Marshall Gulch Trail – plenty of water here – and eventually took the road back to the car.

1404 Alison and Bill on the Mint Spring Trail
Arriving at the Mint Spring, Aspen, Wilderness of Rocks, Marshall Gulch junction. April 2014.

In the evening I met a friend and we ran/hiked up Blackett’s Ridge catching a great sun set from the ridge – a lovely trail with superb conversation – a perfect way to end the day!

1404 Ending the Day on Blackett's Ridge
End of the day on Blackett’s Ridge – the clouds kept the day cool and created an incredible sunset! April 2014.

Crystal Spring Trail – 2014/4/16

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

It was cool at the trailhead and for a few minutes I contemplated switching to a long sleeve shirt, but I am glad I did not – it was hot in the sun! Butterfly Trail to start and then onto the Crystal Spring Trail – such a lovely shaded forest start to the trail – the Keebler Tree came more quickly than I expected today, but I continued on without taking a real break. Ferns and other plants are starting to grow along the trail – already almost covering it in tiny sections – but still plenty of brown.

1404 Brown along the Crystal Spring Trail
Brown along the Crystal Spring Trail with just a few green Ferns starting to appear. April 2014.

 

1404 Gopher Snake on the Crystal Spring Trail
A Gopher Snake on the Crystal Spring Trail. April 2014.

Some of the (many) drainages were dry – but I was glad to see Alder Canyon, the next small falls and the pools/falls just before the Control Road all had some flow.

1404 Yellow Monkey Flower
Monkey Flowers near the Crystal Spring Trail! April 2014.

 

1404 Small Falls off the Crystal Spring Trail
Enjoying the cold water in the pools and small falls off the Crystal Spring Trail near the Control Road. April 2014.

At the Control Road I turn around and head back – in the burned sections of the trail it is hot – a nice day to be higher on the mountain!

While driving down the mountain I spot a Mountain Biker sitting by the side of the highway in a small patch of shade waving a water bottle – I pull into the Bug Spring Trailhead to make sure I have a little water left and then drive back up to add a little water, ice and soda to his supplies. He is appreciative and friendly – another car pulls up so I don’t hang out and chat, but a few miles down the mountain I think about the cue sheets on his handle bars… and at home I find Aaron among the 2014 AZT750 racers!