March 25-28, 2024
Into the second phase of our trip, we met up with the other six in our group and did four day hikes: Madera Canyon, Picacho Peak, Bear Canyon + Romano Canyon Pools. Case & I had scouted out this area and that by Pheonix, just before Covid hit. It was our pleasure to share what we learned and saw with ten COCers four years later.
We spent five nights at the Koa LazyDays Tucson on campsite. They had all the amenities which was nice for those who didn't hike every day.
Day 6:
Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains in southern Arizona, 1-hour drive southeast of Tuscon
Approximate stats: 6 km / 300m gain
Case & I had done the Mt. Wrightson hike to Arizona's highest peak in 2020. So our plan was to do Madera Canyon instead. Dave, Brigitte & Al opted to do Mt. Wrightson. But they only got as far as the upper parking lot which was under 6" of snow! Al & Brigitte ended up doing it four days later, after some warmer sunny days.
We parked at the Madera Canyon picnic area and ended at the lower Mt. Wrightson parking lot.
Four years ago in February, there was no snow at these lower elevations (1500m).
This was a relaxing easy very well maintained trail with a gradual uphill grade.
Mexican Blue Oak trees.
Sycamore trees.
A ball of invasive Mistletoe.
Yucca
Cholla cactus. One of three wild turkeys.
Iraj doing a yoga pose.
Johnny and I got a bit ahead of the group. We had just agreed that we had a better chance of seeing wildlife without the noise, and voila!.... a white-tailed deer!
Tucson.
Peek-a-boo.
Day 7:
Picacho Peak - 1-hour north of Tucson
Stats: 5.3 km / 610m gain
Half of this short hike involved some pretty intense scrambling. It was fun.
Approaching Picacho, located halfway between Tuscon & Phoenix.
We made sure to get an early start, knowing the small parking lot filled up quickly.
The peak on the very left was our destination.
Looking back at the parking lot.
Once at the base of this wall, we did a sharp turn to the right and continued to the ridge.
This bench on the ridge was a very welcome sight on the way back when we had to climb up that very steep slope.
Descending on the other side.
The loose gravel could be slippery on this almost vertical slope.
Apricot Globe-mallow
Fish-hook Barrel Cactus with the tall Saguaro cactus.
Made it!
Group shot: Johnny, Case, Brigitte, Anne & I
A Cacus Wren.
Heading back down.
For this step we had to let ourselves drop.
Back on the other side.
Linear-leaf Phacelia & the white flowers are New Mexico Plumeseed
Lupines.
Day 8:
East Saguaro National Park
We did a 1-hour walk on the Cactus Forest trail.
Brittlebush
A cautious hug. Arizona Barrel cactus.
Bluedicks Christmas Cactus
Candelabrum Cactus
The only blooming Saguaro.
Day 9:
Bear Canyon - Seven Falls trail - in Santa Catalina Mountains, 45-minutes northeast of Tuscon
Stats: 13.5 km / 500m gain / 1033m high point
This trail required seven river crossings, one way. After some heavy rainfall, the water was higher, making the crossings more time-consuming. We had an early start because we knew from four years ago, that the shuttle bus fills up quickly. It leaves every half an hour. We caught the 9:00am which meant only half an hour wait. It wasn't hard to fill in that, having much to see in the visitor centre.
The 10-minute shuttle bus dropped us off at '3' on the map where we first hiked a bit on Bear Canyon road before it changed into a trail at a shelter and kiosk. There we got onto the Bear Canyon trail to Seven Falls.
Apricot Globe-mallow
Bear Creek.
The first crossing. Much caution was needed on the wet rock.
Most of us took off our shoes at this second crossing.
The third crossing.
Florida Hopbush
The fourth crossing.
The fifth crossing.
The sixth crossing.
The final seventh crossing.
Wow wee!!! Arrived at Seven Falls! The trail led to the pool where most of the people were gathered.
We settled in for lunch here. This was the largest pool. But a few of us ventured to the higher pools.
Group shot, back row, left to right: me, Val S, Brigitte G, Iraj F, Cal F, Case T
Front row: Al D, Dave B, Deb + Anne O'L
Very careful steps had to be taken on this section. A spot just beside and infront of me, had a repeat of people slipping and falling there. It was rather entertaining to watch.
Dave, Brigitte, Al & I climbed very cautiously to the second higher pool.
It looks flat, but this shot was taken from the top of the falls that flow into the largest pool.
The next level, at the third higher pool.
Very carefully making our way back down.
Back on the Black Canyon trail.
Fairy-duster Tufted California Poppie
Slots allow the water to pass under the road.
Day 9: Romero Canyon Pools in Catalina State Park
Stats: 11.2 km /583 m gain / 1152m high point
This trail led up to some pictursque pools and waterfalls. We had the highest tempteratures so far on the trip at 28C. As with the day before, we were in the Pusch Ridge wilderness area.
At the trailhead.
Iraj is stabalizing the branch by stepping on it. The first few km followed an old roadbed.
The narrow trail began at the Montrose Pools junction.
Tucson in the distance.
Ocotillo
Utah Penstemon
Thistle Fairy-duster
At the first of the pools. Ten minutes farther up the trail were the waterfalls.
Arrived.
It felt good to cool off our feet in the water.
