Coming down MacDougal Ridge, looping back towards the Babad Do’ag Trail, I curse at the brown and white in the grass sure it is cardboard trash – but closer the shapes and textures come into focus, I stop and my mind slowly puts the puzzle together – not trash, remains, probably of a desert tortoise.
I hadn’t ever thought about what remains behind after a Desert Tortoise dies – I suppose in retrospect it is obvious that the shell would remain – maybe I have seen a shell in an exhibit at some point? Regardless seeing the shattered pieces bleaching in the sun was slightly shocking, oddly fascinating, poignant. I hope every year to see one – not the ideal first sighting of the year…
It has been a mild May – we had clouds in the sky and a few minutes of hail for this hike – the weather is making some of the trails I would normally start to avoid this time of year quite a bit more attractive!
Tortoise shell. May 2019.Tortoise remains. May 2019.Gila Monster near the Babad Do’ag Trail. May 2019.Checkerspot. May 2019.Silverpuff. May 2019.Ocotillo with the Rincon Mountains in the background. May 2019.Looking down on the Babad Do’ag trail – with gunshots ringing in the distance… May 2019.
Pringles Cluster Vine on the Babad Do’ag Trail. August 2017.Yellow Trumpet Bush on the Babad Do’ag Trail. August 2017.
The Babad Do’ag Trail is surrounded by flowers and green! I am more familiar with the trail in winter when the hillsides are shades of brown and tan, amazing to see it so green – but the trail is quite low on the mountain and, even with a few clouds and a little wind, the heat was… oppressive…
In April of this year the General Hitchcock Highway was briefly closed due to the Molino Fire. News reports at the time indicated that the suspected cause of the fire was recreational shooting. Ultimately the fire was fairly small – around 80 acres – and after the summer rains/growth it is hard to see the fire’s impact. The fire did touch the Babad Do’ag Trail – but only lightly, occasional burned agave mixed in with new growth.
Green growth and black burn from the Molino Fire. August 2017.The April 2017 Molino Fire perimeter in Black (a little over 80 acres) – the Babad Do’ag Trail is shown in red. August 2017.Signs of the April 2017 Molino fire on the Babad Do’ag Trail. August 2017.
By mid-day the highway had re-opened – low on the mountain there was no sign of yesterday’s storm – but somewhere before Bear Canyon snow started covering the ground. There was more snow higher on the mountain – and an impressive display of ice on the roadcut above the pullout for the Ridgeline Climbing Area.
The past several updates have talked about the collars dropping off as the batteries run out – 3 of the collars failed to drop off, but “This does not create any added potential risk to the animals since they are mature adults”.
Since the end of 2013 there have been published updates on the project every two weeks – starting in March the plan is to go to once a month updates: “With the continued positive indicators on this project (including a successful November 2015 release and 2013 collars now dropping off as anticipated) the Catalina Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction Project is running smoothly and requiring less intensive management. Coupled with this milestone is an anticipated reduction in the frequency of the current routine bi-weekly project updates. Beginning in March we intend going to a monthly update schedule (issued on the last Friday of each month).”
Sahara Mustard threatens to bring a real “Silent Spring” to the Anza-Borrego Desert and other deserts of the Southwest. Sahara Mustard quickly multiplies to overshadow, poison, and rob water from the wildflower fields and blooming cacti that bring so many visitors from around the world to see the. Eventually, Sahara Mustard can kill even tough creosote, cholla and barrel cacti, literally taking over the desert and turning it into a mustard wasteland devoid of the biodiversity needed to sustain desert wildlife
Ice on the roadcut above the Ridgeline Parking Pullout. February 2016.
Cliffs and shadows from the Babad Do’ag Trail. January 2016.
Close to the highway, not notably long or strenuous and without a dramatic ending the Babad Do'ag Trail is sometimes overlooked – but the short ridge before the end of the trail is a fun section of trail, the sunsets are great and with a bit of extra work and skill there are several off-trail destinations in easy reach – the highpoint just above the end of the trail, Point 4780 east of the trail and the cross-country journey over to Soldier Trail to name a few – certainly all worthy small adventures!
Sunset from highpoint above the end of the Babad Do’ag Trail. January 2016.Just below the highpoint above the end of the Babad Do’ag Trail – front to back: Babad Do’ag Trail, Weather Top, Agua Caliente Hill, Mica Mountain. January 2016.
Sunlight thru the clouds from the Babad Do’ag Vista. December 2014.
Happy Holidays!!! We found time, late in the day, for a hike on the Babad Do'ag Trail – a storm provided beautiful views, and eventually rain on the trail.
Light beaming thru the clouds, headlights screaming down the highway and rain rolling across the Tucson city lights – 4.7 miles, 1250′ of elevation gain and loss.
Rain rolling across the Tucson City lights from the Babad Do’ag Trail. December 2014.
