Hiking In The Santa Catalina Mountains — Image by kenne
— kenne
Fallen Leves in the Sky Islands — Image by kenne
Sky Islands are isolated mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico,
connecting two very different mountainous regions.
Sky Islands are places where you can see incredible plant diversity in only a few miles.
Sonoran Spring — Image by kenne
— kenne
Golden Columbine On Mt. Lemmon — Image by kenne
We drive the twisting
Catalina Highway
leaving the desert
for alpine forests
on Mt. Lemmon —
one hour away.
Today I guide hikers
on the Aspen Draw
trail among the tall trees
next to the steep slopes
of Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley —
north America’s southernmost.
Wildflowers of the Sky Islands
are in full bloom celebrating
the summer monsoon rains
below the towering conifers —
temperate species of
Apache pine and Chihuahuan pine.
Recent heavy rains
have eroded the trail
exposing trees roots
not always easy to see
in shadows on the trail —
I reminded the hikers.
Moving with more speed
on the downhill return
careful of foot but
not careful enough
as I tripped over a root
now shouldering the pain.
— kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 