10 March 2013

I often refer to the greater Tucson area as "Hiker Central". When one realizes the Santa Catalina Mountains alone offer nearly 200 miles of hiking trails, it becomes apparent why. Add to this the many miles of trails of the four other nearby mountain ranges and one can find a trail for just about any skill and fitness level.

Google terrain map of Tucson area mountains

Tucson area mountain ranges.

But one type of trail which are in short supply in the Tucson area are "easy" trails.
What do I mean by "easy"? I mean minimal elevation gain (nearly flat), and a packed soil surface (few rocks). Around here this type of trail is a rarity. But, every mountain range in the area has a few: The Nature Trail in the Santa Rita Mountains, The Loma Verde Loop in the Rincons, The Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolitas and the Cactus Wren Trail in the Tucson Mountains. In the Catalinas there is one such trail as well - the Sutherland Trail. And it was that very trail we would hike today.

The Sutherland Trail lies within the boundary of Catalina State Park. This rather young park had its beginnings in the early 70s. And after a complicated series of land trades, leases, purchase of land and initial construction of facilities, Catalina State Park was dedicated by Governor Bruce Babbitt and the Parks Board and opened to the public on May 25, 1983. It currently encompasses 5500 acres (approx 8 sq. mi.) and has about 20 miles of hiking trails. Of those 20 miles I think it is safe to say the most popular is the trail to Romero Pools.

My first visit to Catalina State Park was in the late 90s - I think. I am pretty foggy on that now. I have hiked the Romero Pools trail twice - once in the early 2000s and once on the 16th of December 2012. That hike was organized by the MeetUp group Alt Hiking.

The latter hike almost did not happen. The plan was to meet the hike leader at Trader Joes near Magee and Oracle roads and car pool to the Park Entrance from there. Doing this would allow us to share the seven dollar entrance fee required to get into the park.

Sidebar:
In the last four years, the Arizona Legislature has raided more than $80 million from the State Park coffers - including admission fees collected at the parks' gates - and diverted the money to other projects.

Status of Arizona State Parks

Two years ago, Gov. Jan Brewer threatened to close two-thirds of Arizona's state parks and privatize others. Today, 16 parks are operating with help from local governments and nonprofits under temporary agreements that will soon expire. Then what?

Source: Environment Arizona

Jan Brewer, Governor of AZ

Here is a shot of Gov. Jan Brewer having a discussion with President Obama. I don't think it was about the Arizona State Park System.

OK, back to the hike. As mentioned, Betsy and I arrived at the car pooling location first and then Bob showed up. We had met Bob on previous hikes and found him to be good company so we were glad to see him.
As Bob, Betsy and I discussed the weather, which was a bit wet, we wondered when the hike leader was going to arrive. Well, he never did. Frightened by a few rain drops he cancelled the hike after people had already arrived.

The weather was looking better by the minute so we decided to go ahead and head up to the Park anyway.
When we got there the parking lot was nearly empty. A women who was reading one of the signs near the trail head saw us, came over and asked if we were the MeetUp hiking group. We gave her the good news, then told her the hike leader had bailed out. Then, the 4 of us, Cindi, Bob, Betsy and I headed up the trail. That was the first time we had met Cindi. Since that day on Jan 16, 2012 we have been on several hikes with her and I count her as one of my favorite hiking buddies.

Now, back to the present. It was Cindi who organized today's hike on the Sutherland trail, a new trail for Betsy and me.

Tucson-Oro Valley

The location of Catalina State Park. The Sutherland trail is located in the more or less flat area where the state park label is located.

Click on the photos below for a larger image.

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Meet Cindi - the nearly invisible woman and hike leader.

Unlike the hike in January of 2012, today the parking area was jammed. And no wonder. Today the weather was perfect for a nice hike through the Sonoran Desert.

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Cindi was with two of her friends, Nancy and E.J., and we all headed out on the Sutherland Trail.

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E.J., Nancy, Cindi and Betsy

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A jumbo specimen of the Barrel Cactus. Note how it is leaning - to the south. This is an adaptation to limit the sun's rays on the surface of the plant. Problem is, they often end up leaning so far many fall over. But not to worry - Humans to the Rescue! Several people have stacked rocks around the base in the hope of keeping it upright.

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A teenage Saguaro.

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Our destination was about 2.7 miles from the start of the trail - a nice creek with some big boulders and sheets of rock. The perfect place to relax and enjoy lunch.

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What a great spot! I was amazed we had the whole place to ourselves. I guess lots of people had headed up to Romero Pools instead.

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Cindi and Nancy stop to pose next to one of the big boulders along the trail.

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Betsy obliged the snapshooter as well.

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The Mexican poppies were in bloom along some sections of the trail. I am still trying to ID the white flower.

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We had fab views of the Santa Catalinas on our way back down the trail.

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Looking back up to the area where we had lunch. This was a vast boulder field.

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Cindi has a good eye and takes some pretty nice snaps.

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What some would call "Rugged beauty".

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Another look at the boulder field.

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The nearly level trail made for some easy hiking.

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More views of the boulders, mountains and wonderful Saguaros.

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Trail side poppies added a nice splash of color.

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Poppies amongst the boulders.

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E.J. and Nancy at the same Barrel cactus where Betsy stood.

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There were some mighty fine Saguaro specimens.

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There were some well placed timber steps which made the climbing pretty easy.

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A nice place to take in the scenery.

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Yet another shot of the magnificent Santa Catalina mountains.

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We were almost back to the parking area now and things were getting busy.

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Last shot of the day - the greening of the desert as Spring arrives.

 

'Till next time...

 

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