2014

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted October 24, 2014 - Charles Miles

Windy Point is often busy – even crowded – and it is not too often these days that I stop – but it is popular for good reason, the views are among the best on the mountain…

1410 Storm over Mount Wrightson — Near the highway just below Windy Point – storms over Tucson and Mount Wrightson. October 2014.

Pusch Peak Trail – 9/17/2014

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted September 20, 2014 - Charles Miles

Clouds were moving in – it was humid, but cooler than many previous days, and it seemed just cool enough for a hike on the Pusch Peak Northwest Side Route – I made it 2 miles and 1700+’ up the trail before the rain and the dark gave me good reasons to stop, take a picture, enjoy a break and return down to the city.

1409 City Lights from the Pusch Peak Trail — City lights from the westside trail up to Pusch Peak – not long after sunset with the rain just starting. September 2014.

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.

Phoneline At Night – 2014/6/28

Updated July 24, 2014 - Posted July 3, 2014 - Charles Miles

We met a friend and co-worker who was doing a night time Bear Canyon Loop – there was a small breeze in the parking lot, but up on the Phoneline Trail in many of the twists and turns it was still – and quite warm…

1406 Alison Running Down Phoneline — Running down the Phoneline trail, Tucson in the background – blinking rear light of a Black Diamond Sprinter. June 2014.

Point 4831 (Weathertop) and Point 4773 (The Ruins) – 2014/6/22

Updated May 26, 2019 - Posted June 23, 2014 - Charles Miles

Southeast, and above, the Molino Canyon Overlook there is an impressive ridge – I have been up to the ridge a number of times to climb at The Ruins, but had never spent any time hiking or exploring in the area… Arriving at the Molino Canyon Overlook at 5pm meant we had just over 2.5 hours to get to Point 4831 and see the sunset on this long summer day – plenty of time for several breaks in the shade along the steep climber’s trail to the ridge.

1406 The Ruins to Point 4831 — A view from the ridge – climbing area ‘The Ruins’ on the left, Agua Caliente Hill center, Point 4831 on the right (above the Weathertop climbing area). June 2014.

Ridge – Point 4773 (above the Ruins) – and then on to Point 4831. The trail is – mostly – easy to follow, only occasionally disappearing. The top seems so close! False peak… We continue along the path, under Point 4831 to a great rocky ledge with an old fire ring – a nice spot to sit and enjoy the sunset.

1406 Faint Clouds in the Sunset — Sunset from a rocky ledge below Point 4831. June 2014.

We watch the cars and city light as it gets dark –

1406 Fading Light from near Point 4831 — Watching the fading light – car lights on the highway and the Tucson City Lights in the background. June 2014.

and eventually turn on our headlamps and head down… 3.5 miles, 1000′ of elevation gain/loss – there is a well used climber’s trail from the Molino Canyon Overlook up to the ridge but note that it is not an official trail.