Echo Canyon Trail into the valley of rock formations. We hiked one loop trail on the Jan-6th and got a shuttle van on the 7th to hike back to the campground.Balanced rocks and blue skies.So little sense of scale. We feel minuscule.Atlas Shrugged!Exploring the Grotto of big boulders.A Rubber Ducky! With a Chem Trail…Ha!Morning Moon-Rise over our campsite.The evening of Jan-6th we decided to cook dinner at Masai Point Overlook to enjoy a sunset and then stay and enjoy some star gazing. Henry’s one-pot wonder was Alfredo noodles with salmon!Oh yes – Spectacular! We were the only ones at the overlook to see this view!
I think I see some Apaches!There was still snow on the path but quite a few hikers. We talked to an interesting couple that had worked for the Nature Conservancy while we took a break by the Spring.We dispersed camp in the nearby valley and enjoyed watching the moon-rise from the comforts of MINI with an evening glass of Merlot.Warm colored rocks at Sunrise.
We last drove this road in February 2011- see blog entry http://tealsky.com/2011/02/08/organ-pipe-cactus-national-monument/ It is only a 22 mile road but it took us the whole day to enjoy and appreciate.Allegedly a short one-mile trail at Arch Canyon Overlook. But Henry decided to climb to the top and Pam opted to enjoy the solitude of the wilderness from one spot.Sunset looking West from walk around campground.First 2015 Moon-rise from the east! Our eyes and camera need to swivel back and forth. Such a rich butter yellow-orange color.Another day ends here at this fabulous Biosphere Reserve – we will be back to absorb some more of the magic.
NPS Ranger drove a shuttle van to Senita Basin for us to hike back to campground. The unpaved road paralleled the border of Mexico. The hike was very secluded and incredible.We did not see this Cholla Cactus in Tucson so it probably likes warmer weather as do the Organ Pipe Cacti.Building left from Victoria Mine – we had our picnic lunch enjoying this view.Framing a hiking companion and the view of this wilderness area.Moon rise before sunset. This awesome view is from our campsite!Tonight’s ranger evening program will be on the Moon – how it reflects different cultures and what we know about it. It is quite beautiful to contemplate.
A whole new section of the park has reopened. We took the Red Tank trail-head to Baker Mine and saw these views along the way.Humongous Organ Pipe Cactus – so full of character.Nice scenery.Moon rise during dinner a few days before it is full.Desert View Hike before the ranger evening program on National Parks A to Z.
Vistas – it feels like you can see forever. Lucky Saguaro!Our neighbors from Denver surprised us by coming to Tucson for the weekend. We thought this trail was worth doing again because it has so much diversity. We are no longer in the Rocky Mountains!These barrel cactus are so cute! I really did want to hug one but I only carefully pretended.It is hard to get a sense of scale until you humanize the plants.We lunched by this stream and enjoyed the fabulous…snow free day!Ready to finish the trail.This scarecrow really fanned out against that blue sky. too poetic to resist capturing.A sunset panorama of the Santa Catalina Mountains from the Westin Paloma Resort. Really fun to watch the light and shadow movement.
This is Christmas Day but it feels and looks more like fall. Who knew the cottonwoods would still have their leaves.The CCC created the road with bridges that are also dams. So the road crosses the creek several times creating these wonderful, inviting pools. Today was perfect for reflecting.It is about a 3-mile walk down the road to this relaxing spot, behind Tram Stop #8.Laying on our backs, we watched the clouds skipping across the mountains.Henry was fascinated with the smooth rocks, how the water had worn them and was pooled in pockets.Small water falls today and the water level is fairly full.A Road Runner came out to say hello and created a nice distraction.Our volunteer friends said to stop by so we did for some fresh cookies. This Saguaro had all clouds pointing towards it saying LOOK AT ME!
Pima Canyon trailhead was near our condo and a lovely trail following a stream.Such sparkling sunshine.Looking the other direction. The rock formations are a gneiss – like an Oreo cookie with the black and white layers.We saw this beautiful sculpture and wondered how many others had been observant enough to spot it.Little islands growing in the rock. The “moss” plant only greens for a few days after it receives moisture.An evening stroll at the Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort led us to this natural waterfall above the resort. It is kept flowing year round with pumps.We enjoyed this fabulous sunset there overlooking the infinity pond – such a calm evening produced the mirror like conditions.
