A second day of snow in the desert! The almost-accumulating snow in our backyard was encouraging, and the snow on Pusch Ridge was alluring – but we pressed on northwards, past Catalina, all the way around to the American Avenue Trailhead in Oracle. Soft shin deep snow made our short Mariposa and Bellota Trail loop a unique experience! Even in Oracle the day had changed by noon – drips of melting snow were falling from the trees by the time we were back at the trailhead – but the snow on Pusch Ridge from Naranja Park in Oracle was amazing. Snow Day!!!
Views
From Oro Valley – 1/6/2019
Pictures from Oro Valley – from Oracle Road near First Ave, the Oro Valley Public Library and Naranja Park – I would rather be hiking in the mountains than shooting from town, but different days present different opportunities and Oro Valley has some amazing views of the Santa Catalina Mountains!
New Year’s Day Snow – 1/1/2019
Snow in the desert! It didn’t last long, by mid-morning it was melting fast, and at the end of the day the snow line across the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains was well above the desert floor.
2015 is the last time I took pictures of good ‘desert snow’ – in 2015 the snow line appears to have been a bit lower, Pima Canyon Trail in the Snow, 1/1/2015 has some pictures.
Beautiful to see and what a way to start the New Year!
Point 7556 Near the Knagge Trail – 2/4/2018
Point 7556 is a short distance from the Knagge Trail – no trail, but easy enough to get to. I can’t remember having walked out to it before, no idea why not, but I guess with so many places to explore…
In a way it might be better that I overlooked it until now. Years ago the views would have been just as spectacular – a sweeping view down into the San Pedro River Valley and across to distant mountain ranges, east side canyons and rolling hills folding the landscape – but looking down now, after having spent more time in recent years exploring the east side of the Santa Catalina Mountains, is more interesting, and more personal, than it used to be.
Winter Storm – 2/14, 2/15, 2/18/2018
After a largely dry and storm free winter it was a privilege to spend a week under grey skies! Rain, flowing washes, road cuts turned into waterfalls, canyons filled with water – a real joy, and as I write this it looks like we might get another short storm in February!
