A second day of snow in the desert! The almost-accumulating snow in our backyard was encouraging, and the snow on Pusch Ridge was alluring – but we pressed on northwards, past Catalina, all the way around to the American Avenue Trailhead in Oracle. Soft shin deep snow made our short Mariposa and Bellota Trail loop a unique experience! Even in Oracle the day had changed by noon – drips of melting snow were falling from the trees by the time we were back at the trailhead – but the snow on Pusch Ridge from Naranja Park in Oracle was amazing. Snow Day!!!
pusch ridge
From Oro Valley – 1/6/2019
Pictures from Oro Valley – from Oracle Road near First Ave, the Oro Valley Public Library and Naranja Park – I would rather be hiking in the mountains than shooting from town, but different days present different opportunities and Oro Valley has some amazing views of the Santa Catalina Mountains!
New Year’s Day Snow – 1/1/2019
Snow in the desert! It didn’t last long, by mid-morning it was melting fast, and at the end of the day the snow line across the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains was well above the desert floor.
2015 is the last time I took pictures of good ‘desert snow’ – in 2015 the snow line appears to have been a bit lower, Pima Canyon Trail in the Snow, 1/1/2015 has some pictures.
Beautiful to see and what a way to start the New Year!
Winter Storm – 2/14, 2/15, 2/18/2018
After a largely dry and storm free winter it was a privilege to spend a week under grey skies! Rain, flowing washes, road cuts turned into waterfalls, canyons filled with water – a real joy, and as I write this it looks like we might get another short storm in February!
Double Rainbow, Light, Shadows, Linda Vista Trails – 2/19/2017
I am constantly amazed how much there is to see on the Linda Vista Trails – it is easy to focus on the noise and proximity to town, but if nothing else the views make the Linda Vista Trailhead a worthy destination…
