2016

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted November 20, 2016 - Charles Miles

We hike up the Bigelow Trail to the junction with the Butterfly Trail and then wander up to the top of Kellogg Mountain. Tall trees on the eastern slope, missed by the fires that scorched much of the mountain over a decade ago, block our view – from a rocky perch farther down the ridge we can clearly see Bassett Peak and the spot where the moon will rise – just a few minutes of waiting in the cold wind and then…

Almost supermoon - moonrise. November 2016. — Almost supermoon – moonrise. November 2016.

Moon over the Galiuro Mountains. November 2016.

On the 13th the moonrise was about 10 minutes before the sunset and we thought with some luck we might get the almost-supermoon rising against beautiful sunset color – it didn’t quite work out exactly as planned, the light on the eastern mountains faded faster than expected – but still beautiful, and the clouds around the setting sun were spectacular!

Sunset from Kellogg Mountain. November 2016.

Hunter’s Moon – 10/15/2016

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted October 19, 2016 - Charles Miles

Piety Hill and the Winchester Mountains in sunset light. October 2016.

We started at the Molino Basin Parking Area and hiked the Bellota Trail – as the eastern skyline came into view we left the trail and traversed the hillside – with Piety Hill visible below and the Winchester Mountains on the horizon we sat down to watch the sunset and wait for Hunter’s Moon to rise.

From Universe Today:

The name [Hunter’s Moon] dates back to the First Nations of North America. It is so-called because it was during the month of October, when the deers had fatted themselves over the course of the summer, that hunters tracked and killed prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the coming winter.

A Hunter's Moon rising behind the Winchester Mountains - taken near the Bellota Trail. October 2016. — A Hunter’s Moon rising behind the Winchester Mountains – taken near the Bellota Trail. October 2016.

Watching the Hunter's Moon from near the Bellota Trail. October 2016. — Watching the Hunter’s Moon from near the Bellota Trail. October 2016.

Pontatoc Ridge Trail – 9/4/2016

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted October 11, 2016 - Charles Miles

Houses and private property push up to the southern edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains near the Pontatoc Ridge Trail and Tucson is nearly always in view – but the area, views and wildlife are beautiful and there is still plenty of wildness to be found!

A hillside across from Pontatoc Ridge. September 2016.

A desert tortoise in the brush at the end of the Pontatoc Ridge Trail. September 2016.

Pontatoc Canyon in shadow at sunset from the end of the Pontatoc Ridge Trail. September 2016.

Unexpected Fireworks, Saguaros in the Moonlight – 4/23/2016

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted May 24, 2016 - Charles Miles

Unexpected April fireworks - taken from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. April 2016. — Unexpected April fireworks – taken from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. April 2016.

Nights are beautiful in the desert and with daytime temperatures getting hotter it becomes a particularly lovely time to get outside.

Hiking at night has its own challenges – just like any hike be mindful of your knowledge, skills and fitness – going with people that have experience hiking at night and familiarity with the area you want to explore is an excellent idea.

Night in Sabino Canyon – 1/23/2016

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted January 31, 2016 - Charles Miles

Full Moon, Saguaros and water in Sabino Canyon. January 2016.

There is nowhere that I have visited in the Santa Catalina Mountains where you are more likely to see people hiking/walking/running/enjoying the night outside than in Sabino Canyon. With a great variety of trails from steep climbs like Blackett's Ridge to walks on the pavement along the canyon, water (at least part of the year…) and an open parking area (many of the the county trailheads have parking restrictions that are not night-hike-friendly) Sabino Canyon is a beautiful spot to enjoy nighttime in the desert! (Hiking at night presents a unique set of challenges – if you have never hiked at night find an experienced friend or group to hike with.)

Below the dam in lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016.

The construction of the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon began in 1937 after plans fell thru for a much larger dam higher in the canyon – the dam was dedicated the next year. In Sabino Canyon: The Life of a Southerwestern Oasis by David Wentworth Lazaroff says of the lake behind the dam:

The tiny lake was instantly popular. The centerpiece of the new Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, it regularly filled with swimmers, and fisherman crowded the dam angling for stocked bass and sunfish. (p. 99)

The water behind the dam, surrounded by trees, is still an attraction in the canyon – but no one would describe it as a lake – silted in and overgrown.

Moon, Saguaro in headlamp light - on the way back from the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016. — Moon, Saguaro in headlamp light – on the way back from the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon. January 2016.