The colors were the highlight on this Agua Caliente Canyon and La Milagrosa Trail loop – the yellowish green covering Gnat Tank with patches of purple and yellow flowers nearby, subtle hints of fall color in the bottom of Agua Caliente Canyon and fallen fall color in the cool clear water.
Grass, grass and more grass – the Bellota Trail is covered in grass – hiding the trail and occasionally making the footing…interesting… Water is flowing at West Spring Tank and we almost get our feet wet at the junction with the La Milagrosa Trail.
Not long after turning onto FR4445 and beginning the descent into Agua Caliente Canyon we find a desert tortoise – perhaps enjoying a break from the tall grass?
Plentiful flowing water in Agua Caliente Canyon! A nice reason to pause before the long climb up to the Agua Caliente Hill Trail, past False Hope Hill and to the summit!
Molino Basin Parking Area, Bellota Trail, La Milagrosa Trail, FR4445, Agua Caliente Hill Trail, Agua Caliente Hill South Trailhead – 13.8 miles, +3200’/-4500′ of elevation gain/loss.
Oracle State Park is currently open to the general public Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 5pm (fee required) – there are a number of trails to enjoy, the historic Kannally Ranch House and when we visited the flowers were beautiful!
Up the Romero Canyon Trail from Catalina State Park – flowers and pools, steep climbs, stops at the two big fire rings and good memories of past hikes with friends.
From Romero Pass I wandered off-trail to random points and points where Bighorn Sheep have stood, slowly collecting vegetation data as a volunteer for a AZGF research project.
The sliver moon disappeared early in the night, with temperatures were the 30s I spent most of my time in my quilt, reading, watching the clouds, looking at the stars and occasionally taking a picture.
It was warm on the way down, as the trail went lower I hurried thru the sun back to the car. 20 miles, +/-6000′ of elevation gain and loss.
FLOWERS!!!! A short hike on the Pontatoc Canyon Trail…
