Heavy Rains and Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction Project Update

Posted July 26, 2014 - Charles Miles

The Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction Project Update Status update for 7/7 to 7/20 is now available (all updates are currently available here). Interesting details:

13 of the remaining 14 collared sheep are known to be alive; one of the collars maybe malfunctioning.
The lambs were last observed 4-6 weeks ago and are assumed to be doing well.
Researchers are planning to use the Cox proportional hazards (PH) model to help them examine the influence of different factors on sheep mortality. Horizontal visibility is mentioned as an important factor in mountain lion predation and a variable that the researchers would like to collect data on – possibly using volunteers.

From the latest update: “While the methods for measuring [horizontal visibility] are pretty straightforward, the challenge for our research team will be reaching all the necessary locations, so we may be calling for volunteers to help us in the near future! So if you like to hike in the Catalinas and want to follow in the footsteps of a bighorn sheep or two, there may soon be an opportunity to be involved in our ongoing research!”

A number of articles about the summer storm and heavy rains yesterday:

Woman nearly hit by lightning – KVOA New 4 Tucson – A woman car-camping in the Mount Bigelow area is knocked down by a nearby lightning strike.
Monsoon storm brings lightning, heavy rain and mudslides to Mt. Lemmon – KVOA New 4 Tucson – Another lightning mention but also briefly mentions the rock and mud slides impacting the highway.
Severe weather causes rock slides on Mt. Lemmon – KGUN9 – Reports rock slides and water running across the highway.
Power restored to most customers following storm – Arizona Daily Star – This leads off with a great picture of a section of the Catalina Highway covered in mud! The article also mentions that the Palisade Ranger station received 1.5″ of rain while none was reported at the Airport.
Highway Reduced to 1 Lane – Pima County Sheriff – from yesterday “Catalina Highway is down to one lane due to rock slides from mile post 9 to 16. Use caution and try to stay out of the area. There is no estimate on time for when the road will be fully open.”

Start of the Monsoon Season? – 2014/7/3

Updated July 25, 2014 - Posted July 4, 2014 - Charles Miles

1407 Clouds over Tucson — Clouds over Tucson. July 2014.

The idea was to take some night pictures of the Oak Fire from the San Pedro Vista and then get a workout on the Incinerator Ridge Trail – the Oak Fire was not as bright/visible as I hoped, but the storm, clouds and lightning were beautiful and and I sat for awhile about 1.5 miles up the trail taking pictures and enjoying the night.

1407 Summer Storm — Summer Storm – start of the monsoon season? July 2014.

Sutherland, Trail Link, 50 Year, Bridal Trail Loop – 2014/4/26

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted April 27, 2014 - Charles Miles

A storm coming thru the area allowed us to enjoy another day at lower elevations – cool weather and even some rain! This loop is about 10 miles and 1000 feet of cumulative elevation gain/loss starting/finishing at Catalina State Park – Sutherland Trail, Trail Link, 50 Year Trail, Bridal Trail – many other options in the area…

1404 Clouds over Pusch Ridge from the 50 Year Trail — Clouds over Pusch Ridge – the peak of Pusch Peak still visible on the right. April 2014.

1404 Cactus Flower in the Rain — The storm brought cool temperatures and rain – rain drops on a Prickly Pear flower. April 2014.

1404 Golder Dome and Grey Sky — Golder Dome – climbing information on Mountain Project and ClimbAZ. April 2014.

Sunset Trail, Storm – 2014/3/1

Updated July 25, 2014 - Posted March 2, 2014 - Charles Miles

1402 Sunset Trail in the Clouds — Sunset Trail in the Clouds. February 2014.

Clouds covered the upper portion of the mountain and there were forecasts of possible snow – driving up the mountain clouds float thru the ridges above Bear Canyon and rockfall on the road reminds me to pay attention – somewhere before the Palisade Ranger Station the clouds cover the highway – I went higher hoping that fast moving clouds might offer interesting views… Mostly wind at the start of the Sunset Trail – it doesn’t really start to rain and hail until I arrive at the empty Marshall Gulch Picnic Area, and then it really really rains and hails on the way back… The clouds never break – just part of the fun.

flickr – 2014 March Sunset Trail Storm