bear canyon trail

Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area to the base of Thimble Peak – 11/23/2014

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

If it wasn’t for Finger Rock Thimble Peak would probably be the most recognizable peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains. While there is no official trail to Thimble Peak it is a well traveled destination.

We started at the end of the road in the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site – Molino Basin Trail to Shreve Saddle – Sycamore Reservoir Trail on fallen leaves – along Sycamore Canyon thru small patches of color.

1411 Sycamore Reservoir Area
On the Sycamore Reservoir Trail near Bear Canyon. November 2014.
1411 Fall Colors near Sycamore Canyon
Color from the Arizona Sycamores along Sycamore Canyon – on the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. November 2014.

The Bear Canyon Shortcut Trail takes us up to the Bear Canyon Trail and we follow it to the fantastic lookout where the unofficial trail to the Thimble breaks off into a sea of grass.

1411 Not far from the Bear Canyon Trail on the way to the Thimble
Looking up at Thimble Peak after leaving the Bear Canyon Trail for the unofficial route to the Peak. November 2014.

The trail climbs, curves and climbs again – overgrown in places, but cairns and sections of trail keep appearing until we touch the base of the Thimble.

1411 View from the base of Thimble Peak
An amazing view into the Santa Catalina Mountains from near the base of Thimble Peak – from the top of the mountain to Gibbon Mountain! November 2014.

It’s surprisingly chilly in the shade and we retreat along the ridge into the sun to take a break and enjoy the day before walking back over our footprints to the car… 11.1 Miles, 2580′ of elevation gain/loss. Some good sources of information: Summit Hut Trail Talk – Thimble Peak – David Baker, Hike Arizona – Thimble Peak.

1411 Thimble Sunset from above Sycamore Reservoir
Thimble Peak in the sunset. November 2014.

Molino Basin, Sycamore Canyon, Bear Canyon – 2014/2/19

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

1402 Richard about to start descending into Bear Canyon

Race! The 2nd Summit Hut Buying Team Seven Falls Junction race – Alison dropped Richard and I started at Prison Camp – running down, Alison drove to Sabino Canyon and ran up.

I kept up with Richard at the beginning and ran some good miles, but he left me in the dust the last half mile or so before the junction – I thought I would still be 2nd but Alison came around the corner and I knew there was no hope…

1 – Richard, 2 – Alison, 3 – Charles!

flickr – 2014 February Race!!!