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.
Wild Rasberry On Mt. Lemmon (07/18/14) — Image by kenne
Those who love spending our summers hiking on Mt. Lemmon are saddened by the continued burning
of the Bighorn Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
As I write this post, the Pima County Sheriff has told residents and businesses
to evacuate the Mt. Lemmon, Summerheaven, and Mt. Bigalow areas.
The Catalina Hwy has been close to non-residents and businesses for several days now.
Sycamore Reservoir Under Construction (1939) — Source Unknown
(Note: Thimble Peak In The Distance Through The Pass)
Sycamore Reservoir was originally constructed to supply water to the Catalina Federal Honor Camp, or Tucson Federal Prison Camp, located in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The camp held men subject to the World War IIincarceration of Japanese Americans. It had no security fence, boundaries were marked with stones painted white. 45 of the 46 prisoners were draft resisters and objectors of conscience transferred from camps in Colorado, Arizona and Utah, although Gordon Hirabayashi, who had challenged the exclusion of Japanese Americans from the West Coast, was also held here.
This small lake has been made even smaller by flash floods which have washed huge amounts of rock and sand into the lake. Still, the reservoir and surrounding area remain a pleasant destination for a day or overnight trip.
The trail to where the dam is located. (October 2012)
Sycamore Dam (October 2012)
Above Sycamore Dam (October 2012) — Images by kenne
Hiking In The Age Of Social Distancing — Image by kenne
I Am Much Too Alone in This World, Yet Not Alone
I am much too alone in this world, yet not alone enough to truly consecrate the hour. I am much too small in this world, yet not small enough to be to you just object and thing, dark and smart. I want my free will and want it accompanying the path which leads to action; and want during times that beg questions, where something is up, to be among those in the know, or else be alone.
I want to mirror your image to its fullest perfection, never be blind or too old to uphold your weighty wavering reflection. I want to unfold. Nowhere I wish to stay crooked, bent; for there I would be dishonest, untrue. I want my conscience to be true before you; want to describe myself like a picture I observed for a long time, one close up, like a new word I learned and embraced, like the everday jug, like my mother’s face, like a ship that carried me along through the deadliest storm.
The Trail To the Top of Wasson Peak — Panorama by kenne
Wasson Peak is the highest point (4,687 ft) in the Tucson Mountains east of Tucson. Located in Saguaro National Park-West, it is a popular hiking destination reachable by several trails.
Hiking Ventana Canyon — December 13, 2019 — Photo-Essay by Kenne
Ventana Canyon is one of several narrow canyons in the southern front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. This hike is usually scheduled each fall and spring by the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists, which involves crossing water over a dozen times.
After a day of rain in the Tucson basin and snow on Mt. Lemmon, Tom, John, Jim and I hiked the Wildhorse Trail in the Saguaro National Park-East.
Click Here To See More Wildhorse Trail Images by kenne
Some critic tried to put me down —
“Your poems lack the Basic Truth of Tao”
And I recall the old-times
Who were poor and didn’t care.
I have to laugh at him,
He misses the point entirely,
Men like that
Ought to stick to making money.
The SCVN Friday Nature Hike was Aspen Trail, Marshall Gulch Trail loop,
which would provide an opportunity to see the beautiful fall colors on Mt. Lemmon.
The Aspen Trail has a grove of aspens, which I blogged in a previous posting.
After hiking through the aspen grove, I began to get out in front of the nature hikers.
With less fall color on the remaining part of the Aspen Trail I decided to pick-up my pace.
I knew from past experience there would be plenty of fall color on the Marshall Gulch Trail.
I was aware that my buddies, Jim Thompson and Tom Markey, were hiking the trail;
hence, I might be able to catch up with them.
I first began hiking with Jim and Tom nine years ago. They were part of the Monday Morning Milers (MMM),
the first hiking group with which I started hiking.
Most of the MMM were lifetime hikers in southeast Arizona, many of whom were in their 80’s.
Jim recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
While Tom is a youngster like me, he’s 79.
Images by kenne
It seems, as one becomes older, That the past has another pattern, And ceases to be a mere sequence — Or even development: the latter a partial fallacy Encouraged by superficial notions of evolution, Which becomes, in the popular mind, A means of disowning the past. The moments of happiness — not the sense of well-being, Fruition, fulfillment, security or affection, Or even a very good dinner, but the sudden illumination — We had the experience but missed the meaning, And approach to the meaning restores the experience In a different form, beyond any meaning We can assign to happiness.
Wild Rasberry On Mt. Lemmon (07/18/14) — Image by kenne
But, it’s the Bighorn Wildfire now having worked it’s way
into Pima Canyon and the Finger Rock area of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness (June 10, 2020).
The Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists lead hikes twice a year on the Pima Canyon Trail to a natural dam (6 miles round trip).
Sycamore Reservoir Under Construction (1939) — Source Unknown
The trail to where the dam is located. (October 2012)
Sycamore Dam (October 2012)
Above Sycamore Dam (October 2012) — Images by kenne
Hiking In The Age Of Social Distancing — Image by kenne
On The Tail To Thimble Peak — Image by kenne
Hiker On The Phoneline Trail (December in Sabino Canyon) — Image by kenne
The Trail To the Top of Wasson Peak — Panorama by kenne
A Morning Hike In Saguaro National Park Hike-East (01/03/20)– Image by kenne
Pondering the Hiking Moments On the Trail — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Hiking Ventana Canyon — December 13, 2019 — Photo-Essay by Kenne
After hiking through the aspen grove, I began to get out in front of the nature hikers.
I was aware that my buddies, Jim Thompson and Tom Markey, were hiking the trail;
I first began hiking with Jim and Tom nine years ago. They were part of the Monday Morning Milers (MMM),
Most of the MMM were lifetime hikers in southeast Arizona, many of whom were in their 80’s.
Jim recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
While Tom is a youngster like me, he’s 79.
Images by kenne
Mt. Lemmon Trail Sneezeweed (July 5, 2019) a Common Summer Flower on Mt. Lemmon — Image by kenne
