2014

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted November 26, 2014 - Charles Miles

If it wasn’t for Finger Rock Thimble Peak would probably be the most recognizable peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains. While there is no official trail to Thimble Peak it is a well traveled destination.

We started at the end of the road in the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site – Molino Basin Trail to Shreve Saddle – Sycamore Reservoir Trail on fallen leaves – along Sycamore Canyon thru small patches of color.

1411 Sycamore Reservoir Area — On the Sycamore Reservoir Trail near Bear Canyon. November 2014.

1411 Fall Colors near Sycamore Canyon — Color from the Arizona Sycamores along Sycamore Canyon – on the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. November 2014.

The Bear Canyon Shortcut Trail takes us up to the Bear Canyon Trail and we follow it to the fantastic lookout where the unofficial trail to the Thimble breaks off into a sea of grass.

1411 Not far from the Bear Canyon Trail on the way to the Thimble — Looking up at Thimble Peak after leaving the Bear Canyon Trail for the unofficial route to the Peak. November 2014.

The trail climbs, curves and climbs again – overgrown in places, but cairns and sections of trail keep appearing until we touch the base of the Thimble.

1411 View from the base of Thimble Peak — An amazing view into the Santa Catalina Mountains from near the base of Thimble Peak – from the top of the mountain to Gibbon Mountain! November 2014.

It’s surprisingly chilly in the shade and we retreat along the ridge into the sun to take a break and enjoy the day before walking back over our footprints to the car… 11.1 Miles, 2580′ of elevation gain/loss. Some good sources of information: Summit Hut Trail Talk – Thimble Peak – David Baker, Hike Arizona – Thimble Peak.

1411 Thimble Sunset from above Sycamore Reservoir — Thimble Peak in the sunset. November 2014.

Prison Camp to Sabino Canyon, a Competition Between Friends – 9/19/2014

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted September 21, 2014 - Charles Miles

1409 Crossing Bear Canyon on the Sycamore Reservoir Trail — RA crossing Bear Canyon (flowing!) on the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. September 2014.

AT dropped RA and I at the upper parking area of the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site – then we both started towards the Phoneline and Historic Sabino Trail junction. AT’s route was to drive to the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center and then hike/run up the Phoneline Trail. RA and I came down via the Sycamore Reservoir Trail, East Fork Trail, Sabino Canyon Trail and Phoneline Trail.

1409 Scarlet Creeper near Sycamore Reservoir — A Scarlet Creeper among the flowers and green near Sycamore Reservoir on the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. September 2014.

There were amazing flowers near Sycamore Reservoir – both Bear Canyon and Sycamore Canyon were flowing – there were clouds in the distance. We barely paused as we turned onto the Sabino Canyon Trail – as we continued down the trail it seemed like it was getting hotter and hotter.

1409 Richard Consulting with Two Members of the Hat Empire — RA on the Sabino Canyon Trail – we wished for rain from the threatening clouds in the background, but we had very close to zero rain and by the end of our run there were brutally hot patches of full sun. September 2014.

I was surprised by the flowers on the Phoneline Trail – I had expected them near the canyons, but on Phoneline I didn’t expect such a great display. As I approached today’s finish line I was ahead of RA but couldn’t really look for AT – I was tired and the trail was too rocky – but as I got closer and didn’t see AT watching us I hoped I had won…

1409 A present from Alison — Defeat! September 2014.

🙂 12.8 miles, +881’/-2800′ of elevation gain/loss.

Sycamore Reservoir – 2014/4/12

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted April 18, 2014 - Charles Miles

1404 In Bear Canyon Camping off the Sycamore Reservoir Trail — Campfire in Bear Canyon near the Sycamore Reservoir Trail. April 2014.

We hiked in on the Molino Basin and Sycamore Reservoir Trails to Sycamore Reservoir and then camped a short distance up Bear Canyon – great weather for camping in the canyon and plenty of great spots to set up.

1404 Night Across the Santa Catalina Mountains — Looking down into and west across the Santa Catalina Mountains. April 2014.

It had been cloudy all day – but the clouds started to clear just before sunset letting the nearly full moon brighten the night – I hiked out to the Bear Canyon, East Fork and Sycamore Reservoir Trail Junction and then up onto the nearby hills to take advantage of the light – eventually I headed back to camp and enjoyed the company.

1404 A Helicopter Heading to Sycamore Reservoir — Lights from a helicopter heading to the Sycamore Reservoir area – the Sycamore Reservoir Trail visible in the foreground. April 2014.