Run

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.

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!

City Lights, West of Mount Bigelow – 8/10/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Tucson city lights from one of the dirt roads west of Mount Bigelow. July 2015.
Tucson city lights from one of the dirt roads west of Mount Bigelow. July 2015.

Heading down from Mount Bigelow on the dirt roads to the west –  low hanging clouds around the top of the mountain and a hint of the setting sun thru the trees – the sun fades but damp dirt roads make for easy footing and navigation even by headlamp. Back on the pavement and headed back to the Bigelow Trailhead each breath floats briefly in front of me before falling away or disappearing into the occasional clouds…

Brush Corral Shortcut Loop – 7/15/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

There is basically no end to the great ‘workout’ hikes in the Santa Catalina Mountains – one fun option is a short loop using the Upper Green Mountain Trailhead, Green Mountain Trail, Brush Corral Trail, Brush Corral Shortcut Trail, Green Mountain Trail back to the Upper Green Mountain Trailhead.

Short with a nice bit of elevation, not very heavily used (for much of the loop anyway) and easily extended a few more miles to the Maverick Spring Trail or Guthrie Mountain. 4.5 miles, +/- 1500′ elevation gain/loss.

Fallen leaf in a drainage on the Brush Corral Trail.
Fallen leaf in a drainage on the Brush Corral Trail. July 2015.
Madrone berries along the Green Mountain Trail.
Madrone berries along the Green Mountain Trail. July 2015.
Sunset over Mount Bigelow - from the Green Mountain Trailhead.
Sunset over Mount Bigelow – from the Green Mountain Trailhead. July 2015.