Jim and John Walking to the Broadway Trailhead In Saguaro National Park. — Images by kenne
Yesterday morning and this morning, it’s been cool enough to consider hiking in the desert.
So, when Tom called yesterday and asked me to go hiking, I felt a rush of energy pinned up since the spring.
Normally the hot desert days drive us up to Mt. Lemmon to hit the mountain trails.
However, this summer, the trails have been closed because of the Big Horn Fire.
So, this morning Jim, John, Tom, and I met at the usual meeting place outside the Bear Canyon branch
of the Pima County Library to mask-up and carpool to one of the many park trailheads.
Here in Tucson, we are not currently experiencing the orange sky the forest fires have created in California.
But, we have a haze covered sky coming from the many fires in the western states, making it easy to look directly at the sun.
Signs of our prolonged drought are everywhere. Even normally, drought-resistant plants are struggling.
We spent about 2 1/2 hours hiking various trails and washes in the Park. My friends have been hiking
these trails much longer than I, and if you are wondering, I’m the youngest of us.
HAPPY FEET!
It sure does look dry there. What is happening in the west environmentally (and worldwide) is sad. More of us need to wake up.
After seeing some of the burn in the Catalina Mountains I find it very disturbing to try and imagine what people in other western states are currently facing, all because of the climate change we knew was coming.
Good outing, kenne. Yes, the drought has been heartbreaking…