Our First day in Tucson, AZ. It is sunny. What a change from last year when it was considerably colder and far grayer. We like the area of the Pink Hills. Doing a modest hike with limited elevation gain and loss seemed like a good way for us, especially Dad, to get back into the swing of things. After all, Dad has been recovering from troubles that plagued him last autumn.
We struck out around 09:30 under crisp and totally clear blue skies. The temperature was a bit below 40F but it alrady felt warmer than that. Perhaps our bodies adjust quickly to direct sunlight. It wasn’t long before everyone had removed at least one layer of clothing as we ambled down the trails of the desert floor towards the hazed shrouded Rincon Mountains. A lovely morning that could only get better.
Things seemed greener than usual. That was not a mere illusion. It has rained enough over the past month that grasses are sprouting up in low places. More than that we had streams to cross. Actual water running more than shoe-deep in places. Water pouring out from the mountains, over Garwood Dam, and down into the valley below. For quite some time before we found our first stream I had been hearing susurrations and thinking it sounded like water but couldn’t possibly be water. It was. Fantastic.
On we went. Most times we don’t see many people. Today over the entire trip we encountered in several groups 8 horses and their riders (all women but ). We saw perhaps a dozen hikers including two fast-moving trail runners. That is a lot of people. But most were friendly enough to at least say hello as we passed. The horse people were happy to chat for a moment or two. Though this was a large number of people it didn’t detract from our day. We had the desert with its infrequent chirps, chitters, and other sounds mostly to ourselves.
Photos
Dad and I both thought the barrel cactus was blooming. Mom thinks the yellow parts are more likely fruiting parts. But it’s a fine view.
--January 03, 2020 at 09:45:31. Tucson, AZ, United States
Heading towards Garwood Dam. It’s a crisp , clear day.
--January 03, 2020 at 09:48:00. Tucson, AZ, United States
We are about an hour from the dam. No hurry. We can enjoy the steadily warming day.
--January 03, 2020 at 10:59:19. Tucson, AZ, United States
This group is just one of many we passed by. 8 horses and their riders.
--January 03, 2020 at 11:37:04. , ,
A horse and her lady.
--January 03, 2020 at 12:41:13. , ,
Our last stream crossing. We had 2 more, far swifter and broader streams to cross. We’ve never had stream crossings before. Maybe water has been present in the valley but this was a first.
--January 03, 2020 at 13:14:55. Tucson, AZ, United States
The hike has ended. With rising temperatures layers came off.
--January 03, 2020 at 14:23:57. Tucson, AZ, United StatesStats
Total Time::: 5 hours 5 minutes (1 hours 27 minutes breaks)
Distance: 6.5 miles in a lollipop shape
Elevation gain and loss: 260 feet
Weather: Lovely. Clear with a haze covering the mountains in the morning. My thermometer was basking in the sun a lot and read 74F at lunchtime at Garwood Dam around 12:30.
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