50 year trail

Baby Jesus Loop – 2014/5/11

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1405 50 Year Trail Dusty Conditions
The view from the 50 Year Trail – the wind/dust almost obscuring the view of Pusch Ridge in the middle of the day! May 2014.

The windy/dusty – slightly cooler – day pulled us out to the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains for the Baby Jesus Trail Loop.

Golder Ranch Road Parking Area – 50 Year trail (a counterclockwise loop today), the single track of ends too soon… Dirt roads and gunfire as the background… Trail Link – Sutherland Trail, I barely paused at the junction with the Baby Jesus Trail, the thin track thru the desert was marked but seemed too small, thankfully Alison corrected our path.

The Baby Jesus Trail seems to get surprisingly little use near the junction with the Sutherland Trail – cows – the Wooden Trough Spring Tank has clear flowing water, a great surprise!

1405 Wooden Trough Spring Tank
Wooden Trough Spring Tank – we were surprised to see the water, running and clear. May 2014.

The cows have taken over trail building in this area and at times following the trail is a bit of a guessing game, today we are glad that the last hiker on this trail seemed to know it rather well and left us beautiful foot prints to follow.

The lower stretches of the Baby Jesus Trail are especially beautiful as it follows a ridge and canyon past beautiful rock formations – easy to see why the lower portion of the trail receives more use.

1405 Moon with Samaniego Peak and Mount Lemmon
The moon rising between Samaniego Peak and Mount Lemmon. May 2014.

A short section of road – single track on the 50 Year Trail – the moon rising between Samaniego Peak and Mount Lemmon – Pusch Ridge – home…

1405 Pusch Ridge from the 50 Year Trail
Pusch Ridge. May 2014.

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.