Sun and mud beside Race Track Tank – north of Redington Road. October 2016.
Dropping a friend at the Italian Spring Trailhead gave me an excuse to wander – I watched a Nothern Harrier make loops around White Tank and eventually made my way to Race Track Tank. The tank is holding plenty of water – but, as is too frequently the case in the Redington Area, while looking at the tank I came across a disappointing amount of trash…
Race Track Tank. October 2016.Shells… Trash near Race Track Tank. October 2016.Friends of Redington Pass – Flyer for the November 19, 2016, Cleanup. October 2016.Race Track Tank – north of Redington Road, west of the Italian Spring Trailhead, south of the Bellota/Arizona Trail. October 2013.
We followed well trodden trails covered in cow tracks to flowers and views of the Santa Catalina Mountains…
Shadows along the trail – Catalina State Park. March 2016.Looking towards Romero Canyon. March 2016.Golder Dome – Sutherland Ridge. March 2016.
The Friends of Redington Pass have posted on Facebook that they are partnering with Tread Lightly! are holding a clean up in Redington Pass on Mary 7th at 9am – their last event “removed 7 tons of trash and an abandoned vehicle from the Pass”!
A snowy hillside – taken from the ridge south east of Bear Canyon. Tucson and Mount Wrightson in the background. December 2015.
In places the snow has melted – but there is still plenty of snow on the mountain to enjoy!
There were two Bighorn Deaths in the first part of December. Initial lab tests confirm that Ewe #37448 died of pneumonia. Ewe #37441 was killed by a mountain lion. The latest project updated noted that:
A subcontractor to the project used a drone to monitor his dogs during pursuit of the lion that preyed upon Ewe #37441. The Department routinely uses low-level fixed wing and helicopter flights in connection with wildlife management projects. The pursuit was terminated upon the Department learning of use of the drone as the Department has not completed ongoing evaluation of how to best use such technology consistent with all applicable rules and regulations.
Rescues/Accidents/Incidents including information from the SARCI Newsletter:
Romero Pools – 11/1: Hiker missed the first crossing, descended the canyon and was accompanied out after reaching the Canyon Loop.
Blacketts Ridge – 11/5: Hiker with chest pains lifted out
Windy Point – 11/11: Fall
Agua Caliente Canyon – 11/22: Ankle injury while coming down the canyon
Marshall Gulch – 11/27: 30′ Fall
Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement – Open for Comment: This site is focused on the Santa Catalina Mountains, but Grand Canyon National Park is probably of interest to almost anyone in Arizona who loves the outdoors… The comment period is currently open on a new Backcountry Management Plan – if you care about the Grand Canyon it is worth reading. This plan is mentioned here in part because the current Preferred Alternative includes seasonal permits and fees for day hiking to the Colorado River on the major corridor trails and notes the potential for future daily use limits, year round permits and similar policies for other trails. This would be a huge change for hiking in the Grand Canyon – please consider commenting. From the plan:
Implemented on [Backcountry Management Plan] Adoption
Day use permits required seasonally for [the North Kaibab Trail below the Manzanita Resthouse, South Kaibab Trail below the Tip Off and the Bright Angel Trail below the junction with the Tonto Trail]
Expected cost of day use permit at least $5 per person per day
Outreach and user education
User monitoring and data gathering
Protocols for Special Use Permits
Potential Adaptive Management
For [the North Kaibab Trail below Manzanita Resthouse, South Kaibab Trail below the Tip Off and the Bright Angel Trail below the junction with the Tonto Trail]
Implement group size limits (e.g., 30); adjust limits as research determines
Daily use limits (e.g., 250); adjust limits as research determines
Designated days for group or individual events
Day use permits required year-round
Policy for other trails
Snow on the Bug Spring Trail above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
