Lower Box Camp Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains (09/06/19)– Image by kenne
When hiking the Box Camp Trail, the top part of the trail is in the Pine Forest biome,
where the dominant plants are AZ Pine, SW White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and
occasional Douglas-Fir. This image shows a view of the Tucson basin and the
Santa Rita Mountain to the south, where the Oak Woodland biome takes over (5,000′ – 6,000′).
— kenne
Ventana Canyon — Panorama by kenne
(In this image, you see the Tucson basin with the Santa Rita Mountains in the distance.)
— Albert Einstein
Madera Canyon is always a beautiful canyon in which to hike especially in the fall when the
Arizona Sycamores are in color. This SCVN Friday hike, in the Santa Rita Mountains,
provided a nice contrast to our usual hikes in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
This image is looking down on Madera Canyon below some of the higher pikes in the Santa Ritas
(The highest is Mt. Wrightson on the right with an elevation of 9,453 feet.)
Our hike began down near a dried-up creek bed, then taking us up along the canyon’s edge.
What a beautiful day to be hiking with friends and nature lovers.
Images by kenne
“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend”
―
Hiking The Super Trail On Mt. Wrightson — This image by kenne is of Old Baldy from the Josephine Saddle.
— from the poem “A Stone Garden” by Gary Snyder
Mountain Spiny Lizard or Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) — Image by kenne
— kenne
A Cool Summertime Choice When You Live In Tucson — Image by kenne
— from the poem “Piute Creek” by Gary Snyder
Douglas Spring Trail Panorama Image by kenne
— kenne
“Weed Behind A Stone” — Image by kenne
— kenne
Mountain Marigold, Madera Canyon (October 27,2014) — Image by kenne
— kenne
Morning Clouds Moving On, Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains — Images by kenne
— Henry David Thoreau
Mountain Spiny Lizard at Roger’s Rock In Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the images for larger view in a slideshow format.)
For those of us who live near the Santa Catalina Mountains, Madera Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains is about an hour and twenty minutes drive. There are a lot of reasons to love the canyon, rated the third best birding destination in the United States. Yesterday, the Monday Morning Milers hiked one of the canyon’s many trails to Roger’s Rock where I have captured many vista photographs in the past and did the same yesterday. One of the things that made this hike different from past hikes was seeing the mountain spiny lizard captured in this posting. The colors of this guy were very prominent, sunning in the 6,500 feet elevation cool mountain air. I have learned that every hike, even on the same trail, has something new and impressive to see.
— kenne
— Ken Kesey
Appalachian Mountain Club Hike Mt Wrightson In Madera Canyon — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the images to see larger view in slideshow format.)
This hike by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) was their last in the Tucson area. We are pleased to have been able to hike with them and share our (SCVN) knowledge and experience of hiking the trails of southern Arizona.
This is the last in a series of postings on the AMC visit to the Sonoran Desert, so let’s remember for a moment . . .
Let’s remember for a moment,
the trail head gatherings,
the greetings, the smiles,
the joy of another hike.
Let’s remember for a moment,
the steep climbs, the switchbacks,
the majestic views at the top,
the masterful returns.
Let’s remember for a moment,
the trail fellowship,
sharing who we are
and common interests.
Let’s remember for a moment,
the pools near mountain trails,
resting tired feet in the cold water,
watching others jump in.
Let’s remember the moment,
the hike alone ridges of granite
and the juxtapositions of water-loving
and drought-tolerating plants.
Let’s remember for a moment,
the rich biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert
which the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
illustrates through its ecological theater.
Let’s remember for a moment,
the images captured by
our mind’s eye,
lasting images to share.
Let’s remember for a moment,
that which we have added
to life’s experiences forming
a better understanding of self.
Let’s remember for a moment,
the desire, the drive to see
what lies just over the next ridge,
on the other side of the mountain.
Let’s remember for a moment,
lots of mountains, few streams —
all dry this time of year, and my
turning back at the base of Old Baldy.
Let’s remember for a moment,
my friends from New England,
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome,
dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” *
— kenne
* Edward Abbey
New Mexico Groundsel — Left Image In The Santa Rita Mountains, Right Image In The Santa Catalina Mountains At About 5,000 ft Elevation, April, 2014
— kenne
A Panorama View Down Through Madera Canyon In The Santa Rita Mountains South of Tucson, Arizona.
(Note the light color of mining tailings surrounding ponded water.)
— Image by kenne
Horned Lizard (Horny Toad) In Madera Canyon (April 11, 2014) — Images by kenne
