At the end of one of our naturalists training sessions last October, Phil Bentley said he would be hiking Blackett’s Ridge late the following day to see the sunset and the full-moon rise on top of Blackett’s Ridge in Sabino Canyon, then hike down in the moonlight. Cool idea, I thought. As it turned out, I got the gathering time wrong, so Phil and I did the moonlight hike, but not together. It was a gorgeous moonlit night. (Click here for posting on last October’s hike.)
Since October, we have talked about doing the moonlight hike again. Last week we agree to do another moonlit hike, this time together, with an invitation being sent to all SCVN.
Debbie and Jerry
At the gathering time in the Sabino Canyon’s center parking lot, with Phil as our leader, Debbie and Jerry Bird, Tim Ralph and I set off to see another beautiful sunset to the west over the Tucson Mountains and full-moon rising over the Rincon Mountains.
With the skies partly cloudy, we couldn’t help but ponder the “what if’s” of more clouds moving in. The sun continued to occasionally peep through the broken clouds to the west, but the clouds to the east were minus the “broken” adjective.
The amount of clouds created a photographic challenge, but not to be daunted, I persisted capturing a few photos, all be they are dark and ominous — probably of things to come.
Phil playing his harp and Tim taking photos — Images by kenne
With the sun setting, and minus the expected moonlight, darkness was coming on quickly. Having a bite to eat and some water, while Phil serenaded us on his harp, we decided to start the hike down the ridge. The return pace was slow, as we stepped carefully down the steep slopes and navigated the many trail switchbacks. With little light, at times the footing was treacherous, and as fate would have it, on one of steep slopes, while placing my right foot on solid rock ground, I place my left foot on what turned out to be loose gravel — down I went, quickly pulling my camera to the front of my body. Because of the downward angle of the trail, it was a short fall on my butt. However, my backward momentum carried me into a large prickly pear cactus, an encounter not expected. Even with three layers of clothing, many of the prickly pear spines penetrated my upper left arm. I’m now award that this cactus comes armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike prickles called glochids. Removing my wind-breaker removed many of the glochids, but most of the large spines remained in my arm, since our only source of light was a flashlight. So, the spine removal task became Joy’s upon my return home. What’s the saying, “There’s always a first time for everything.” So be it! In case you are wondering, we are already considering another moonlit hike.
Panoramic view with Sabino Canyon on the left, Blackett’s Ridge end of trail in the middle, Bear Canyon on the right. Image by kenne
“What a great idea,” I thought when one of the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) asked if any of the trainees were interested in hiking Blackett’s Ridge late Tuesday afternoon to see the sunset as the full moon begins its rise. Not only would there be great photo opts, but there would also be the experience of hiking down the ridge in the light of the full moon. “Cool!”
On the short drive home after the SCVN training, I thought more about hiking in the light of a full moon. However, I wasn’t sure about the time of the hike nor the name of the naturalist who made the announcement. However, I did recall hearing something about “3:30 pm.”
So, at 3:30 pm the next day, I was at the Sabino Canyon Center. After waiting for a few minutes and not seeing anyone I recognized, I decided to head out — I may have missed the “moonlight” hikers, or if they were leaving later, I could wait for them at the trail end.
Stopping several times along the way to take photos and video, I still completed the upward leg in one hour and thirty-seven minutes, which was faster than when hiking with others, making my arrival sooner than expected. Besides being a warmer than average Tucson day in October, the hiking conditions were excellent in a cloudless sky. Even so, I didn’t pass anyone going up or coming down as I hiked the ridge.
Once reaching the end of the trail, it was clear I was all alone. Still, I had hoped others would be coming up soon, having already concluded I had left about thirty minutes too early — so I waited.
After being at the trail end for thirty minutes, I decided to start the hike down the ridge; even though I would not get sunset photos at the trail’s end, I could still get them on the way down.
I was only a few minutes down the trail when I saw the naturalist who had suggested the moonlight hike. (I now know his name is Phil.) He was alone and on his cellphone — we shared howdy’s as I passed him, continuing down the ridge. I was surprised that no one was with him, even more so having now experienced the moonlight hike — maybe next time!
After stopping to get sunset and full moon shots, I continued down the ridge, now by moonlight.
I always try to be cautious when hiking, especially when alone. The only movement around me was my shadow from the moonlight.
Hiking in the light of the moon is a real adventure — I loved it. However, I must admit that hiking all along at night, and knowing that mountain lions are generally nocturnal, was a little disconcerting. I could almost feel eyes watching me!
About an hour from the center, I called Joy to tell her I should be home a little after seven. Having previously told her I would be hiking with others, I told her I had hiked Blackett’s Ridge alone. Then, of course, I got a real ass-chewing — better on the phone than later.
Wait, there is more to this story.
The following day I was in Sabino Canyon observing one of the SCVN classes for elementary school kids in the riparian area. After the class, I began the walk back to the center parking lot with some fellow SCVN trainees. As we walked, I shared my Blackett’s Ridge moonlight story. Then, of course, there were questions about the moonlight hike’s difficulty, to which I said my only concern was for mountains lions.
“Mountain lions,” said one of my fellow trainees, “I have a story for you about mountains and Blackett’s Ridge!”
It so happens that his wife is a guide at Canyon Ranch Resort. A while back, she was leading a group on Blackett’s Ridge when they came upon a mother mountain lion with two cubs feeding on a recent kill. They promptly stopped and slowly moved back down the trail. As they proceeded down the ridge, they met a young woman and told her about the lion and cubs near the trail, suggesting she turn around. However, she wanted to see the lion and her cubs, so they warned her, whatever she did, not to run from the mountain lion.
The young woman proceeded up the trail — moments later, she was screaming and running back down the trail with the mountain lion coming after her. Obviously, she had not followed their advice about running from the mountain lion. So the group began making all kinds of noise and waving jackets to cause the lion to stop, which she did. After slowing her chase, the mountain lion watched for a moment, then returned to her cubs.
There was a part of me thinking, “I didn’t need to hear that story!”
Late Afternoon On Lower Blackett’s Ridge Trail — Image by kenne
It only a few days ago when Sabino Canyon was still very green from the monsoon rains. Hiking Blackett’s Ridge in Sabino Canyon (SCVN link) yesterday, the changing colors of the ocotillo and the limber bush were so obvious having taking on a bright yellow color from the dark green. Soon, each will lose their leaves. The limber bush will not leaf again till next summer’s rains. The ocotillo will leaf again after 2-3 days of rain.
kenne
(Note: I will have more Blackett’s Ridge photos and video to share later.)
Blackett’s Ridge overlooking Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Most of our hiking has been in the many canyons of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Yesterday, however, we hiked the ridge between Sabino and Bear Canyons, which is called Blackett’s Ridge. To reach the beginning of the Blackett’s Ridge Trail you start out from the Sabino Canyon Visitors Center following the Bear Canyon Trail. Initially, the trail is easy on the hiker. When you reach the lower face of Blackett’s Ridge, the trail begins to climb more steeply along a series of switchbacks. This is not a trail for beginners, nor people with a fear of heights. Looking back from the face of the ridge, you’ll be treated with impressive views of the Tucson area. However, the real treat is on the top of the ridge, which provides beautiful views of Sabino Canyon. This is a hike I will do again, next time allowing more time to sit on the edge of the ridge.
