A couple of weeks ago some of us did our annual King Canyon trail hike to observe the wildflowers, which in the past was part of our hike on up to Wasson Peak. However, this year the plan was not to go all the way to the Peak. I hate to admit it, but time is beginning to catch up with us. So, the best I can do is to revisit a posting from six years ago. My days of cheating time might be running out.
— kenne
Kings Canyon Trail — Images by kenne
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Wildflower Slideshow by kenne
Panorama of Wasson Peak Near The Top
SCVN guided hike to Wasson Peak via Kings Canyon trail, which is about a seven mile (roundtrip) hike and elevation gain of 1,900 ft.
Some of our hikers made only the Kings Canyon trail to the first saddle since we were experiencing unusually warm record-setting temperatures (the mid-90’s).
kenne
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…”
― John Muir
Panorama of the Santa Catalina Mountains from the Sweetwater Trail in the Tucson Mountains (March 15, 2019) — Images by kenne
SCVN members and guests hiked the Sweetwater Trail
Friday, March 15, 2019, on a beautiful spring day.
As has been the case for a couple of weeks,
wildflowers are blooming everywhere
with a background of wispy white clouds
on a canvas of blue.
Hummingbird On Nest Near Sabino Canyon Creek — Images by kenne (Click on any of the images to see a larger view.)
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) have found several hummingbird nests in the canyon riparian area. This one is a real architectural work of art.
Nearby this nest is an active Cooper’s Hawk’s nest, which provides an exciting and educational bird-nest contrast for the students in our elementary nature program.
Using twigs and leaves Spider webs shaping her nest Swelling as needed.
Sabino Canyon Recreational Area in the Coronado National Forest has been impacted by the government shutdown
yet remains open to the public with the help of volunteer organizations, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) and the Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol (SCVP) continuing to provide their services to the public.
One of the programs provided by the SCVN is daily
environmental education programs for k-6 students. Each August teachers reserved a date to bring their class
to the Canyon starting in October.
Because of the shutdown, the Forest Service agreed
to make sure all trash is removed and the restrooms are clean
in the areas where the environmental education programs are taking place.
Teachers select from six programs designed to meet “core curriculum” goals. Images by kenne
This past Thursday’s program was “Back To the Past.”
Students learned about the nature Americans
who lived in Sabino Canyon hundreds of years ago.
— kenne
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth
who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience,
and just plain loving one another.”
2019 Packathon at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Tucson (January 6, 2019) — Image by kenne
Thirty SCVN members and spouses were among 400 people Sunday
packing breakfast meals to feed 50,000 people in Tucson’s
“hunger community” in less than one 1 1/2 hours.
This was the seventh year of the Packathon organized by St. Paul’s MC
and the 2nd year Joy and me participated. This is an all-inspiring event.
I spent some time this morning with eight sixth grader students in Sabino Canyon. The nature class was the “Web of Life” where I lead a nature walk and table activity on how we are all connected and therefore dependent on our being able to maintain an ecological balance in our world. When I got home I had an email on this WordPress posting — a perfect continuation on what I had been sharing with the students.
Panorama of the Santa Catalina Mountains from the Sweetwater Trail in the Tucson Mountains (March 15, 2019) 
Images by kenne
2019 Packathon at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Tucson (January 6, 2019) — Image by kenne
I have learned a lot from my hiking friends. — Image by kenne
