Nails and debris in the large old water tank near the highway. September 2016.
Up canyon from the entrance to the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site the Bug Spring Route follows, roughly, the path of old pipes that lead up to Bug Spring – at one time these pipes were part of the infrastructure that provided water for the Prison Camp – the original source of labor for the highway up the mountain.
Following the old route is not really the point I think – the line on the map is a good excuse, but there are better ‘trails’ on the mountain – better to just think of this as a good excuse to explore a rather interesting area – the canyon usually has at least some water, it is interesting to think about the history of the area and the Bug Spring area is a nice spot for a break…
A small rainbow! September 2016.The falls – 10 years and 1 month earlier – the area around the falls has grown up since 2006 and there is more green under the falls – but very similar! August 2006.The Bug Spring Route as shown on the USGS Agua Caliente Hill 7.5′ Topo – January 2017.Old Bug Spring water works hiding in the shadows. September 2016.
Falls in Molino Canyon above Molino Basin. January 2016.
Not far from Molino Basin Parking Area on the Bellota Trail a small side trail splits off and follows Molino Canyon, the most obvious path takes you to the top of the falls above, but it is worth it to find your way base of the falls…
While the snow didn’t hang around it will add to the water flowing on the mountain, the canyons should be beautiful! A quick shot from Soldier Canyon, not far from Hairpin Turn:
A beautiful small set of falls a few minutes up Soldier Canyon from Hairpin Turn. November 2015.
29 Bighorn Sheep from the Yuma area were released into the Santa Catalina Mountains on Monday 11/16/2015 – one captured Bighorn was not released and as of Monday was in a clinic in Phoenix due to possible “capture exhaustion” – probably the most interesting quote was from the AZGF Facebook page:
This was the last of the three planned releases to restore the historic herd that once existed in the area. Department biologists and the advisory committee that oversees the project will now monitor the population to determine if it can become self-sustaining on its own.
