bear canyon trail

Flowers along the Bear Canyon Trail – 4/9/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
A Prickly Pear along the Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
A Prickly Pear along the Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.

It was sunny and beautiful – Molino Basin Trail up to Shreve Saddle, Sycamore Reservoir Trail down to Sycamore Saddle, Bear Canyon Trail down – the surprise for the day was the amazing display of flowers on the Bear Canyon Trail.

Hedgehog cactus and bee along the Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
Hedgehog cactus and bee along the Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
Desert Chicory - Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
Desert Chicory – Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.

There flowers at the top of the switchbacks are incredible! Below I can see that it is a busy day at Seven Falls – see 25+ people enjoying the water – I am glad that so many people are outside experiencing the mountain, but also happy that the mountain is big enough that I can be alone with the flowers.

Fairy Duster and cliffs - Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
Fairy Duster and cliffs – Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.

Prison Camp, Thimble Peak, Bear Canyon – 11/28/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
The route out to Thimble Peak from Bear Canyon. November 2015.
The route out to Thimble Peak from Bear Canyon. November 2015.

A sea of grass out to the Thimble, a ribbon of color down Sabino Canyon, looking up Bear Canyon to and past the Sycamore Reservoir Dam, back lit Saguaros and sunset light in Bear Canyon – every trip into the mountains is another chance to see something new – even the most familiar places are constantly changing, different light, season, weather, colors, wildlife, plants, friends… – and this was a particularly amazing day.

Looking down Sabino Canyon, a ribbon of color in the desert - from just below the base of Thimble Peak. November 2015.
Looking down Sabino Canyon, a ribbon of color in the desert – from just below the base of Thimble Peak. November 2015.
Saguaros in the sunlight - from the Bear Canyon Trail, above Seven Falls. November 2015.
Saguaros in the sunlight – from the Bear Canyon Trail, above Seven Falls. November 2015.
Bear Canyon - Sunset light and clear blue winter sky - a sea of Saguaros - from the road. November 2015.
Bear Canyon – Sunset light and clear blue winter sky – a sea of Saguaros – from the road. November 2015.

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!

Bear Canyon to Seven Falls – 7/19/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

In the shade of the canyon walls the temperature was a bit more forgiving – some relief, but it was still hot and even in the dark at the finish you could feel the summer heat lingering into the night…

Sunset - looking down Bear Canyon from Seven Falls.
Looking down Bear Canyon from Seven Falls, sunset, Tucson in the distance. July 2015.
Sitting in the dark at the finish - near the Sabino Canyon Parking Area. July 2015.
At the finish, sitting next to the Sabino Canyon Parking Area. July 2015.

Sycamore Reservoir and Bear Canyon, Racing with Friends – 5/23/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
1505 Richard on the way down to Sycamore Reservoir
RA running down the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. May 2015.

The gate at the entrance to the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site is closed, the sun is hot and Sycamore Canyon is dry – summer! And a simple day out with friends enjoying the trails!!

1505 Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Weed along the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. May 2015.
1505 Bear Canyon and the Bear Canyon Trail
Looking at the Bear Canyon Trail disappearing down towards Seven Falls. May 2015.
1505 The Blue Line
The ‘Blue Line’ – a well known landmark along the Bear Canyon Trail. May 2015.