catalina state park

News – Catalina State Park Concert Series, Steam Pump

Posted - Charles Miles
First Saturdays Concert Series – Catalina State Park – The First Saturdays Concert Series: “On the First Saturday of the month enjoy an evening concert at the Trailhead with standard park admission. Bring a chair, and your own food and water to enjoy these concerts!” Sponsored by the Friends of Catalina State Park there are seven concerts starting on June 7 and running thru December 6. Oro Valley Council approves $107 million budget 4-3, Explorer News – The budget discussion in this article includes some notes about budget for the Steam Pump Ranch.

News – Redington Fire, Accident…

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

Redington Pass fire at 80 percent, road reopened – there have been several articles about this fire on the edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains – human caused (I have not seen details on how) – seems to contained. (An earlier article: Fire east of Tucson 50 percent contained) – May 5 Coronado National Forest Update on the Fire (80% contained)

Car accident on Mt. Lemmon closes road – reported at mile post 15 on May 3.

SaddleBrooke art show to benefit Catalina State Park program – The show will benefit the Friends of Catalina State Park Adopt-a-Saguaro program – location/time in the linked article.

A picture from the Southern Arizona Rescue Association: DPS Ranger 54 crew, PCSD SAR and SARA after the successful rescue of a hiker with a leg injury near Maiden Pools in Ventana Canyon

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.

Romero Pass, Romero Canyon Trail – 2014/4/5

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

1404 Arriving at Romero Pass

Arriving at Romero Pass took about 2 hours and 40 minutes of hard effort on the Romero Canyon Trail – it only took another 3 or 4 minutes for my friend Richard to appear on the West Fork trail. This was our meeting spot for today – he started at Molino Basin and was about 13 miles into an east/west crossing of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

The pass was too windy/chilly to be a nice spot for a break – so after refilling bottles we headed down – eventually taking a break along the canyon – green plants and flowing water!

1404 A break in Romero Canyon

Alison was also hiking up from Catalina State Park – her small blue figure was hard to spot against the huge walls of the canyon!

1404 Alison and Romero Canyon

Down, down, down the canyon – beautiful sections of canyon abound above Romero Pools –

1404 Alison and Richard Running Down

we had all seen other people during the day but until Romero Pools we didn’t see anyone on the descent, after Romero Pools there were quite a few groups headed down – a lovely day to enjoy the trail!

flickr – 2014 April Romero Canyon Trail

 

Dark Skies, Hiker Death in 1939, Fee Free Days

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Dark Skies at Catalina State Park – upcoming dates for Star Parties at Catalina State Park. Tales from the Morgue: Lost in the Catalinas – Articles from the Arizona Daily Star, Monday, Feb. 6, 1939 about the tragic death of a hiker. Coronado National Forest Announces Fee Free Days for Presidents Day Weekend – a press release with the remaining fee waiver dates in 2014:
  • February 15 – 17, Presidents Day Weekend
  • June 14, National Get Outdoors Day
  • September 27, National Public Lands Day
  • November 8 – 11, Veterans Day Weekend