night

Sunset and Storms, The Cordones – 8/13/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
A beautiful Santa Catalina sunset from the The Cordones north of Catalina. August 2016.
A beautiful Santa Catalina sunset from the The Cordones north of Catalina. August 2016.
Sunset from The Cordones north of Catalina. August 2016.
Sunset from The Cordones north of Catalina. August 2016.

It took many years for me to realize that Arizona State Trust Land is an important portion of the lands that give Southern Arizona its character and feel – a glance at the Arizona State Trust Land Parcel Viewer shows (in blue) the large amount of Arizona State Trust Land around, at the border of and between Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands. The east side of the Santa Catalina Mountains would be a very different place without public access (for a fee) to the land that is currently owned by the State Trust.

A screen shot from the Arizona State Land Trust Parcel Viewer - the colored areas are Arizona State Trust Land. August 2016.
A screen shot from the Arizona State Land Trust Parcel Viewer – the colored areas are Arizona State Trust Land. August 2016.

North of Catalina, just past E. Saddlebrooke Blvd, a section of State Trust land covers an area labeled ‘The Cordones’. Several roads lead out into the area and in some spots the combinations of ridges, washes and hills conspire to hide many of the nearby roads and homes – occasionally making the area feel a bit more remote than it really is. I intended to catch the sunset – but being there for a storm was just good luck…

Lightning and storm over the Santa Catalina Mountains. August 2016.
Lightning and storm over the Santa Catalina Mountains. August 2016.
Lightning over the Santa Catalina Mountains. August 2016.
Lightning over the Santa Catalina Mountains. August 2016.

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

Updated - Posted - 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.

Saguaro and Moon. April 2015.
Saguaro and Moon. April 2015.

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.

Moon Shadow. April 2015.
Moon Shadow. April 2015.

Sunset and Stadium Lights on the Linda Vista Trail – 4/29/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Sunset from the Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.
Sunset from the Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.

A short hike up the trail, pictures of the sunset and watching the dying light – gradually, as it got darker, we noticed a glow – it was too early for the moon and it took us several minutes to realize that nearby stadium lights were illuminating the landscape – lighting up the clouds, cliffs, ridges and saguaros.

Saguaro, clouds, stars and Pusch Ridge from the Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.
Saguaro, clouds, stars and Pusch Ridge from the Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.
Heading down towards Oro Valley by headlamp - Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.
Heading down towards Oro Valley by headlamp – Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.
In the dark, Pusch Ridge Wilderness. April 2016.
In the dark, Pusch Ridge Wilderness. April 2016.

Stars and Clouds, Night in Sabino Canyon – 2/6/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Blackett's Ridge under the stars. February 2016.
Blackett’s Ridge under the stars. February 2016.
A tree above the Sabino Canyon 'lake'. February 2016.
A tree above the Sabino Canyon ‘lake’. February 2016.
Clouds and Stars above the Santa Catalina Mountains. February 2016.
Clouds and Stars above the Santa Catalina Mountains. February 2016.

We hiked, slowly and with pauses for pictures, out passed the dam and to the lake, under the stars and clouds – it was a beautiful night and as our friend Mindi wrote “I can’t even describe how much fun it is to go sit in the dark with your camera!”

Falls in Molino Canyon above Molino Basin – 1/3/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Falls in Molino Canyon above Molino Basin. January 2016.
Falls in Molino Canyon above Molino Basin. January 2016.

Not far from Molino Basin Parking Area on the Bellota Trail a small side trail splits off and follows Molino Canyon, the most obvious path takes you to the top of the falls above, but it is worth it to find your way base of the falls…