Hiking the Italian Springs Trail (April, 2012) — Image by kenne
bushed
a trail cursed and charmed taking a breather in solitude and shade alligator junipers mountain pines overlooking a big sky pass scrambling time and seasons whence we came where we went Redington road to the plateau beneath Mica mountain summit till you get there yourself it remains our paradise sharing our wanderlust in this virtual world
— kenne
(This hike was one of many I did with my old hiking buddy, Tom Markey, who passed awayAugust 17, 2022.)
Moonrise Over The Black Mountains — Photo-Artistry by kenne
We reached Mica Mountain as the sun was setting and set up camp two hours out from Manning Camp; our expected goal where we would get water and spend the evening. However, we did not have enough water to spend two nights in the mountains, so we decided we would turn back in the morning. Before setting up camp we watched the sunset and the moonrise.
Cold out! Feels like winter as we crawl into our sleeping bags. It must be the altitude. The full moon provided light, no warmth. The night was long. The tarp above us was attached at only three corners since Tom wanted one loose to flop in the wind, making noise that would keep the bears away.
After a long night of wind-driven noise and cold temperatures, we broke camp early to arrive back at the trailhead before the expected temperatures in the mid-nineties. As we reached a lower elevation, we could contact Tom’s wife, Pat, to give her our expected arrival time at the trailhead. Once we got our stuff in the car, all we could think of was going to Risky Business for a cold beer and French fries with mayo.
Tom Taking A Moment to Rest Before Setting Up Camp on Mica Mountain (April 2012) — Image by kenne
Remembering So Much, Yet So Little
We walked together as brothers His a shuffled pace totaling Many unnumbered miles Remembering so much, yet so little
Have known him for the last ten years Reminding me of my brother, It seemed like a lifetime Remembering so much, yet so little
When we first met We were in a hiking group For me, all were strangers Remembering so much, yet so little
He had that something We all feel but can’t explain As with the wistfulness of used books Remembering so much, yet so little
Hiking dusty trails, stirred only by our steps, A soft breeze unable to lift The dust above our boots Remembering so much, yet so little
Sharing a love of the wild To hear sounds, see vistas In the desert and sky islands Remembering so much, yet so little
He was born with a feel for the moment Making use of the incidentals Whether invited or not Remembering so much, yet so little
An eye for beauty and form Where nothing is perfect And everything is perfect. Remembering so much, yet so little
Always ready to go farther afield Looking for new trails – such as The Hidden Pasture Trail Remembering so much, yet so little
Meticulously researching new adventures Was a hobby driven by the belief One knows the country through direct contact Remembering so much, yet so little
Possessing a diverse love of life Sharing stories of youthful conquests As the sunsets only to be replaced by a full moon Remembering so much, yet so little
Dare not wave the punctual tissue of farewell He would reply with an insouciant shrug Therefore, I drink to you, my brother Remembering so much, yet so little
For this is a path we will all take On the Hidden Pasture Trail It’s all part of nature’s plan Remembering so much, yet so little
Mica Mountain in the Rincon Mountains with clouds building up over the mountains. View from Mount Bigelow in the Santa Catalina Mountains — Image by kenne
None of my outdoor experiences — hiking, river canoeing/rafting, and camping– involved backpacking. So, when one of my hiking buddies, Tom Markey, asked if I would be interested in backpacking from Redington Pass to Manning Camp via the Italian Springs Trail, I jumped at the possibility. I learned later that this is a hike Tom had talked about for ten years — guess we finally found someone willing to take it on with him — another crazy guy!
Although the road through Redington Pass is a very passable gravel road, Markey was hoping that our mutual friend, Tom’s truck, would be able to take us down a deeply rutted cattle road in his truck, shortening the fifteen-mile hike to Manning Camp by three miles. Unfortunately, as it turned out, the truck was not high enough to chance the old cattle road. So, strapping on our thirty-pound backpacks, we set off with Tom in the lead.
Since I was nursing an often injured left angle, I was more than willing for Tom to set the pace. Having hiked with Tom many times, it was not unusual for me to drop off the pace because of stopping to take photos. However, it was generally easy for me to catch up — not this time. As we hiked on, I realized that Tom was trying to make up for the time we lost, having to hike the additional three miles.
Not far into the hike, Tom’s pace was slowed by this guy in the middle of the trail — causing a trail detour. This was the first of two snakes we spotted on the trail.
The trail led through several rolling ridges. Here you can see Mica Mountain in the distance (higher point to the left).
After about an hour, we reached the point where the cattle road would have taken us. As the sign indicates, the Italian Springs trail is part of the Arizona Trail.
After hiking several rolling ridges, we finally reached a point where the elevation allowed us a beautiful view back toward the Catalina Mountains. In the distance to the left is Tucson. Although a wilderness area, we are not far from the metropolitan Tucson area. You can get an idea of where we started by looking right down to the base of the Catalina Mountains..
As the trail got steeper, it led us into more trees among large boulders. At least the increased elevation was providing cooler temperatures. However, the climb was beginning to take its toll — rest stops were becoming more necessary in the 5% humidity.
Now late in the afternoon and with each slow, calculated step, it was becoming clear that we would not have enough time to complete the fifteen-mile hike to Manning Camp before dark — even on this “supermoon” night.
“What does the trail look like ahead,” Tom would ask. My standard response was, “It keeps going up!” We began to feel pain from muscles we thought we had lost years ago. Our priority had now become finding a flat area to camp, leaving us four miles short of the goal of reaching Manning Camp. By not reaching Manning camp, where water was available, it would be essential for us to conserve our water for the return hike tomorrow.
Finally, we reached an area at the base of Mica Mountain, which provided an open flat space where we could spend the evening. It also offered a great view of the sunset and, later in the evening, the rise of the “supermoon.”
Tired and with the sun setting, we decided to pass on preparing a warm meal and begin preparing the campsite. This would also help us conserve water, which was needed to reduce the occasional muscle cramps we had started to experience.
As Tom worked on the campsite, I captured a few sunset photos before assisting him. Cooler temperatures came with the setting sun, but the afternoon winds were to stay with us all night. The following images in this posting would have been of the supermoon rising in the east, but I was too tired to crawl out of the warm sleeping bag into the windy, cold mountain air.
Morning brought a beautiful sunrise over the Rincon Mountains — this image looks down toward Redington Pass and the Catalinas. Anticipating hot temperatures in the past by mid-morning, we were eager to pack up the campsite and start down the trail.
Occasionally, we would turn to look back at Mica Mountain — “I can’t believe we did it!”
. . . and again.
With Mica Mountain framed in the background, Pat Markey took this photo of Tom and myself.
Finally, back at the trailhead, Pat was already there waiting — to our delight! She also had some much-needed water for us. We had been nursing what little water we had over the last several miles of our eleven-mile return from Mica Mountain. In our minds, the Italian Springs Trail lived up to its reputation of being the most challenging trail in the Tucson area. Completing the two-day backpacking hike was plenty of reward for two early seventy-year-old adventurers. However, there were moments when we were convinced that we were crazy to have taken on such a hike this time of year.
Catalina Sunset (View from Mica Mountain of the Santa Catalina Mountains) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Mica Mountain Sunset — Computer Art by kenne
They’ll Love You When You’re All Alone — Image by kenne
Mica Mountain in the Rincon Mountains with clouds building up over the mountains. View from Mount Bigelow in the Santa Catalina Mountains
Becoming is Superior to Being 