A Prickly Pear along the Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
It was sunny and beautiful – Molino Basin Trail up to Shreve Saddle, Sycamore Reservoir Trail down to Sycamore Saddle, Bear Canyon Trail down – the surprise for the day was the amazing display of flowers on the Bear Canyon Trail.
Hedgehog cactus and bee along the Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.Desert Chicory – Bear Canyon Trail. April 2016.
There flowers at the top of the switchbacks are incredible! Below I can see that it is a busy day at Seven Falls – see 25+ people enjoying the water – I am glad that so many people are outside experiencing the mountain, but also happy that the mountain is big enough that I can be alone with the flowers.
Fairy Duster and cliffs – Bear Canyon Trail. 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.Heading down towards Oro Valley by headlamp – Linda Vista Trails. April 2016.In the dark, Pusch Ridge Wilderness. April 2016.
A Gila Monster outwitting my best efforts to get a picture – just above Alamo Canyon. April 2016.Golder Dome – front – and Samaniego Ridge and Peak – back – from Alamo Canyon in Santa Catalina State Park. April 2016.Bighorn Mountain. April 2016.Table Mountain in the sunset from Alamo Canyon – Catalina State Park. April 2016.
The main trails in Catalina State Park are beautiful – but there are many smaller trails and quieter places too, very worthy of time and exploration…
Looking across Pontatoc Canyon, over Finger Rock Canyon and up to Prominent Point, Finger Rock and the Finger Rock Guard. March 2016.Cholla flower in the sun. April 2016.Loosing the light while descending the Pontatoc Ridge Trail – Tucson city lights in background. April 2016.
Storm over Samaniego Ridge – above Rainbows End Wash west of Double Tank. March 2016.
Three bighorn sheep die, mountain lion is killed – tucson.com: In the month of April 3 ewes were killed mountain lions and two mountain lions associated with the deaths were killed. Arizona Game and Fish now reports the number of living collared Bighorn in the Santa Catalina Mountains to be 38 while estimating the number of bighorn in the range at 80+.
Rabid Skunks have been confirmed in a number of Pima County locations including the Summerhaven area in the Santa Catalina Mountains – avoid contact with and don’t approach wildlife that are behaving abnormally or appear to be ill. If you believe that you see a rabid animal, call AZGFD at 1-623-236-7201 or the Pima County Health Department at (520) 724-7797 immediately. More information on rabies from the CDC. AZ Game and Fish expands rabid skunk warning – TucsonNewNow, State issues warning about rabid skunks – KGUN9.
Snow on Mount Lemmon, rain for Tucson – tucson.com: Snow! While this article doesn’t have any snow covered pictures of the mountain it does briefly note that in early April a storm managed to bring snow and ice to the mountain – maybe for the last time this season?
On Saturday, April 16, Pima County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue unit and SARA concluded the longest and most intensive search in Pima County since August of 2004. SARA is deeply saddened of the outcome and extends our heartfelt condolences to family of Mauricio Carreon-Maltos.
Ultimately, local Pima County volunteer SAR teams supplied over 1600 person-hours. SARA is especially grateful for the assistance of the volunteer ground, dog, and mounted search teams from Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, and Yavapai counties, and for the other agencies involved, all of whom together supplied an additional nearly 1200 hours to the seven-day search effort. Many thanks also to the watchful and attentive public during this time. Thank you.
Rescues/Accidents/Incidents including information from the SARCI Newsletter – :
Ventana Trail 3/3/2016 – A hiker on the trail after dark without a light was unable to follow the trail somewhere below Maiden Pools – a friend was able to help her down the trail.
Romero Canyon 3/4/2016 – Two hikers were separated on the way back from Romero Pools – one was reported missing but eventually made it back to the trailhead without assistance.
Seven Falls 3/7/2016 – A group of hikers was worried about continuing after sunset in the rain – in the end they made it back to the trailhead without needing assistance.
Seven Falls 3/10/2016 – A cardiac arrest resulted in a hiker being declared deceased on the trail and flown out from Seven Falls. Hiker with medical issue dies at Seven Falls – tucson.com.
Agua Caliente Canyon 3/15/2016 – A hiker requested help after attempting to hike down canyon – he was met and helped out via trails in the area.
Romero Canyon Trail 3/17/2016 – An exhausted hiker is able to hike out with assistance.
Seven Falls Trail 3/18/2016 – A hiker with an injured ankle is assisted out by stokes and mule.
Double Tank – State Trust Land outside of Oracle Junction near Rainbows End Wash and Arizona 77. April 2016.
