water

Developed Recreations Areas Budget Gap – 1/31/2017

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Swirling Saguaros in the waters of Ventana Canyon. January 2017. January 2017.
Swirling Saguaros in Ventana Canyon. January 2017.

Today is the first of nine public meetings that the Coronado National Forest is holding in the Santa Catalina Ranger District to explain the details of the Developed Recreation Program and to gather input on potential solutions for restructuring the program – a quote from the CNF’s information page succinctly explains the issue:

The estimated price tag needed to ensure that the CNF’s 204 developed recreation sites remain open, safe, clean, and in good repair is $3.8 million.  The combined revenue currently received to manage these sites is $1.3 million, leaving a gap of $2.5 million annually.  Without action to close the gap, developed recreation facilities and recreation opportunities are threatened.

The suggested strategies to close this gap are Eliminate developed recreation sites, Transfer management of developed recreation sites to concessionaires or partners,  Increase fees or Increase the number of fee sites with the additional suggestion that: “No single strategy will close the gap. Likely, a combination of strategies will align the CNF more closely with sustainability goals.”

The meetings are listed below and comments can be made online.

  • ORO VALLEY –Tuesday, January 31 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley, AZ.
  • ORACLE – Wednesday, February 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mountain Vista School Library, 2618 W. El Paseo, Oracle, AZ.
  • TUCSON EAST – Monday, February 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Murphy Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ.
  • MARANA – Tuesday, February 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Marana Town Center, 11555 West Civic Center Drive, Marana, AZ.
  • TUCSON NORTH – Saturday, February 11 from 1:00 to 3;00 p.m. at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, 5700 North Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ.
  • TUCSON CENTRAL – Monday, February 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue, Tucson, AZ.
  • VAIL – Wednesday, February 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rincon Valley Fire Station #1, 8850 S. Camino Loma Alta, Tucson, AZ.
  • TUCSON SOUTH – Saturday, February 25 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Southwest Community Center, 5950 S. Cardinal Avenue, Tucson, AZ.
  • COOLIDGE/MAMMOTH – Wednesday, February 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Central Arizona College Aravaipa Campus, 8470 North Overfield Road, Coolidge, AZ.
Saguro in the Shadows. January 2017. January 2017.
Saguro in the Shadows. January 2017.

Alder Canyon from Ventana Windmill to Juan Spring – 10/20/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

The 4th edition of the The Santa Catalina Mountains, A Guide to the Trails and Routes added a description of the Alder Canyon Trail (p. 93) with two starting points, Juan Spring and Big Alder Spring – but the lower sections of the canyon are not mentioned. The starting points may might put you in more remote sections of the canyon more quickly – but the section from the Ventana Windmill to Juan Spring is worth noting…

Dam in Alder Canyon above Ventana Windmill. October 2016.
Dam in Alder Canyon above Ventana Windmill. October 2016.

We park off of Black Hills Mine Road, hike down to Ventana Windmill and start hiking up the canyon. In just a few minutes walls of conglomerate close in and an old dam appears – the smell from the pool of water under than dam encourages us to backtrack and walk the cliffs above the narrows.

Above the narrows the canyon is beautiful – sometimes more open, sometimes covered by trees – in a particularly lovely spot we find the remains of what might have been a hearth and a small structure. Farther up canyon surface water surprises us – and we are surprised again by clear pools of water. Near Juan Spring we exit the canyon, eventually finding and following the old trail up and loop back to the truck via the road.

An old fireplace and fence near Alder Canyon. October 2016.
An old fireplace and fence near Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Inside Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Inside Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Pool in Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Pool in Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Roots in Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Roots in Alder Canyon. October 2016.
Water trough in Alder Canyon near Juan Spring. October 2016.
Water trough in Alder Canyon near Juan Spring. October 2016.

A few notes:

  • On the map a trail is drawn along the canyon from Ventana Windmill to Juan Spring – we spent spent the majority of the hike in the bottom of the canyon, while we didn’t try hard to find the trail I suspect that it is best considered a ‘route’ at this point…
  • This area is probably used more frequently by hunters than by hikers (AZGF Hunting Seasons, Season Dates, Rules and Regulations – Unit 33) – especially without a commonly used trail in the area it is probably advisable to wear bright colors especially during deer season. (Note that the heaviest users of this area is certainly the cows…)
  • This hike is on Arizona State Trust Land – a permit is required.
Map - Alder Canyon - Ventana Windmill to Juan Spring. October 2016.
Map – Alder Canyon – Ventana Windmill to Juan Spring. October 2016.

Pink Tank – 7/12/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Ocotillo under blue skies and blazing sun on the way out to Pink Tank. July 2016.
Ocotillo under blue skies and a blazing sun on the way out to Pink Tank. July 2016.

Pink Tank is one of the seemingly infinite number of named tanks scattered across Southern Arizona – I am not sure why so many have names, perhaps because the water they – sometimes – hold is so important? Or maybe just because the effort to build a tank in, essentially, the middle of nowhere takes enough effort that someone wanted it remembered? 

Pink Tank on the east side of the Santa Catalina Mountains - near the road out to the Brush Corral Trailhead. July 2016.
Pink Tank on the east side of the Santa Catalina Mountains – near FR4407 out to the Brush Corral Trailhead. July 2016.

An old road splits from FR4407 and leads out to a flat area above the tank – there is an obvious fire ring, but it doesn’t look frequently used. Pink Tank is holding more water than I expected and the green grass is a slight surprise – as is the generous amount of deep soft mud around the tank and under the grass. It is the middle of a hot day so I don’t stay long before making the short hike back.

Seemingly endless creosote with the Santa Catalina Mountains in the distance, walking back to FR 4407 from Pink Tank. July 2016.
Seemingly endless creosote with the Santa Catalina Mountains in the distance, walking back to FR 4407 from Pink Tank. July 2016.

I assume these tanks will be a visible part of the landscape for many many years – I wonder if there is a future where water concerns and ranches are distant memories and someone will try to match the locations of tanks to patterns – constellations, Arizona cities, position of solar and lunar events – assuming there must a greater purpose – something more than a more water and more cattle – behind the decision to spend time and effort creating endless tanks across the desert.

Agua Caliente to La Milagrosa Canyon Trail Loop – 2/7/2016

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
A strange desert monster. February 2016.
A strange desert monster. February 2016.

The La Milagrosa and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail Loop is not a pristine wilderness experience – the walk thru the neighborhood at the beginning and end, old fence line, tanks, views of the city – but don’t be be fooled, the saguaros, flowers, water, big canyon walls and fun trails are too good resist…

Falling water in La Milagrosa Canyon. February 2016.
Falling water in La Milagrosa Canyon. February 2016.
Saguaro and Sun from the La Milagrosa Trail. February 2016.
Saguaro and Sun from the La Milagrosa Trail. February 2016.

Night, Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon – 12/26/2015

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Water flowing in Sabino Canyon. December 2015.
Water flowing in Sabino Canyon. December 2015.
A Saguaro in the Moon - moonrise above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
A Saguaro in the Moon – moonrise above Bear Canyon. December 2015.
On the road into Bear Canyon. December 2015.
On the road into Bear Canyon. December 2015.