For a variety of reasons we did not get on to the hiking trails until 12:00. By then the sun was blasting heat down and it certainly felt warmer than the stated 61F. Yes, I know in the shade it probably is that cool and the air would be that cool but the body feels what it feels. We took layers off and put sunscreen on. We strode out across the desert floor.
The parking lot at the trailhead was full. It is a good sized lot. We quickly passed by many small groups of people coming from the foothills. I expect most were going to the Three Tanks and were now on their way back. Some would have visited Bridal Veil Falls and taken the longer but less steep route via the Steel Tank back. Others were, no doubt, doing something entirely different. Many others. We saw plenty of signs of horses in left-behind poop but no horses and riders today. On we walked along the gently rising desert trail avoidng rocks and poop as the need arose.
About 1.3 miles in we came to our first real glimpse of more surging water. We had heard the rushing sound for a bit but until we looked out across a wash we did not see the flow. A little further on the trail (and up) we got a view of the waterfall. To me it looked like a single stream jetting off a ledge. It is a shame neither the photo I have or video really do it justice.
We ascended the rocky trail feeling the heat beat down upon us. It is tiresome but slowly and steadily we gained the plateau where the aging steel tank sits in a dip. This time we found a modest stream flowing through the wash. We think there is a trail where the stream is flowing but we couldn’t tell. That was a shame because we had wanted to return via the WIld Horse Trail and do another lollypop-type hike. Instead we decided to retrace our steps. Descending from the Steel Tank was certainly quicker. At least it felt quicker. If my photos are to be believed, and they are, we zipped down and back to the trailhead in a little over an hour. We took much more time on the outward bound leg of the hike even when you consider the vast majority of our breaks were taken then.
A bit past 15:00 we returned to the car. Gratefully shed our packs and headed for dessert. The milkshakes we had at Cold Stone Creamery were disappointing. Way too thin even if they were loaded with ample ice cream. Oh well.
Photos
--January 04, 2020 at 13:07:30.
The Steel Tank isn’t visible but the star is the stream in the wash. I am confident saying we have never seen this before in this location.
--January 04, 2020 at 13:44:05. Tucson, AZ, United States
The Steel Tank.
--January 04, 2020 at 13:51:14. Tucson, AZ, United States
Stats
Total Time: 3 hours 19 minutes with 36 minutes in breaks mostly on the outbound leg and mostly for lunch
Distance: 4.5 miles out and back with 560 feet gain and loss (all up one way; down the other). The bulk of the climbing is in about 1.3 miles
Weather: Sunny and clear with a few wispy clouds. The reported temperature was 61F at the start but I am sure it was pushing 80F in the sun certainly by the time we finished around 15:10.
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