Winterhaven Christmas Lights Tucson, Arizona December 22, 2014

The Winterhaven Festival of Lights is an annual Christmastime tradition in Tucson, Arizona. Every year residents in the Winterhaven neighborhood have decorated their houses with elaborate displays. The community judges the houses and gives awards for different categories.  The festival has run continuously since 1949 with only one off-year during the 1970s. The festival is one of the most important events for the Community Food Bank of Tucson with over 43,000 pounds of food donated in 2013. Admission for walkers is free with a canned food donation. If visitors want to ride the Winterhaven Hayrides or Winterhaven Trolley the cost is $12 per person with a food donation. The festival dates runs every year from December 13-27. Enjoy photos of the event, Some information from www.winterhavenfestival.org.

                                Historic fire truck

                                One of my favorite displays; a zoo

                    Another picture of the zoo display

                                  This house had a fountain display set to music

                                       Candy canes

                                    Mickey Mouse                  

Pusch Peak Catalina Mountains November 22, 2014

                       The side of Pusch Mountain

Directions and Information: The Linda Vista Trail head is located off of the Oracle Road. From I-10 take the Ina Road exit (Exit 248). Head toward the Catalina Mountains. When you get to Oracle Road turn left traveling north. Turn right onto Linda Vista BLVD. The small trail head for Linda Vista is on the right. The parking lot accommodates about six cars and fills up quickly on weekends so arrive early.The main trail at Linda Vista is a 3.8 mile loop that gains about 500 feet. It gives visitors a great view of the Tortolita Mountains as well as Oracle Valley. This trail is popular with novice hikers and trail runners. An unimproved trail also takes visitors to the summit of Pusch Peak.

Today I am climbing Pusch Peak from Linda Vista. Pusch Peak is a prominent peak on Pusch Ridge in the western part of the Catalina Mountains. It does not have a Forest Service maintained trail to the top. Hikers have created an unimproved, steep and rocky trail to the top. As a result of it being unmaintained, this trail is frequented by few hikers so please be careful and hike with someone else.. The trail is short at 4 miles but gains about 2700 feet making it extremely steep. The first part of the hike is on the Linda Vista loop. This is the easy part of the hike with moderate elevation gain. After about 0.5 mile to one mile the Pusch Peak trail departs on the right at a sign warning visitors that the trail is unmaintained. At this point the trail immediately becomes steep, gaining elevation quickly. In the first mile I became apprehensive about hiking this trail by myself so I befriended a University of Arizona student who agreed to hike with me. Make sure to pay attention because it is easy to loose the trail in places. Also hike in a controlled manner because there are many plants that would hurt if you fell into them. Near the top of the peak we met a ten year old hiking with his father. I found this very impressive because most ten year old kids usually do not hike steep trails. The view from the top was extraordinary with Mt. Lemmon to the north, Santa Rita Mountains to the east, Tortolita Mountains to the West, and Tucson in the valley below. Please take your time descending because it is extremely rocky and steep making it easy to fall and injure a  knee. (Information from www.localhikes.com/Hikes/LindaVistaLoop and www.hikearizona.com).

                                   Looking back towards Tucson from the trail

                  The top looking east with the Rincon Mountains in the distance

                                    Me on top with Mount Kimball in the background

                             The high peaks of the Catalina Mountains

                      Above Linda Vista and Tucson valley. The ridge to the left has a number of hikeable small peaks if you don't want to go to the top.

                         The rocky and steep trail

                         In the foothills of the Catalina Mountains with the Tortolita  Mountains in the distance.

Saguaro National Park East Three Tank Trail November 15, 2014

                    Saguaros with the Catalina Mountains in the background

The Douglas Spring trail head is located at the end of Speedway BLVD in East Tucson. Many trails radiate out from this trail head including the longer Douglas Spring Trail which takes hikers to Manning Camp. The other trails are located in the Cactus Forest. I love the Cactus Forest because it is possible to create hikes of various lengths from the many different trails.

On November 15 my cousin and I arrived at the trail head mid-morning to hike the Three-tank Trail and return to the car via the Wildhorse and Garwood Trails. This loop is approximately eight miles long with 1500 feet of vertical change. Views of Tucson and the Catalina Mountains become extraordinary on the Three-Tank Trail. The ecosystem also changes on the Douglas Spring Trail with Sonoran Desert vegetation ie. Saguaro Cacti, Palo verde, Ocotillo becoming more of a grassy mixture. While on the hike, my cousin and I encountered two individuals on horseback and a riding group from Tanque Verde Ranch.

                            Vegetation in the Sonoran Desert
 

                               Horseback on the Three-tank Trail

Tumamoc Hill November 8 2014

                                      Cactus in setting sun

Directions: To get to Tumamoc Hill take Speedway 1 mile west to Silverbell. Turn left onto Silverbell Road and drive to West Anklam Road. Park near the St Mary's Hospital parking lot. Parking is available along the street.

Tumamoc Hill has become my favorite evening hike. It offers great 360 degree views and is on pavement so hikers do not have to worry about rocky trails. It is a relatively short hike, approximately 3 miles, and has about 700 feet of elevation gain. This is a very popular hike for Tucson so do not expect to be alone. Recently a male attacked a woman on the trail so as always remain vigilant and keep an eye out.

Special Considerations: Tumamoc Hill is owned by the University of Arizona. Scientists have been conducting experiments since 1908. Please be respectful of this area. The area is open to runners and hikers in the morning and evening.  

                         Looking down the road toward Tucson and the Catalinas

                   Glow of the setting sun

                                Saguaros and the Santa Rita Mountains

Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon Loop via the East Fork November 1, 2014

                  Scenery upper part of the East Fork Sabino Creek

Location of Hike: Today's hike begins and ends at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. From the University of Arizona campus take Campbell Avenue all the way to Skyline Drive. Turn right and drive all the way to Sabino Canyon Road. Turn left and then make an immediate right into the parking lot.

The Hike: By looking at the map I noticed it is possible to connect Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon by way of the East Fork. If hikers take the shuttle to the end of Sabino Canyon this hike is about 10,4 miles if not the Phoneline trail adds another four miles. I took the 9:00 shuttle arriving at stop 9 about 15 miles later. The first part of the trail is steep with hikers ascending about 500 feet, The trail then traverses along the eastern side of Sabino Creek. This part of the trail is extremely scenic with sheer rock walls on the western side of Sabino Creek. Hikers also have a great view of McFall Crags as well as Eye of the Needle. After about two miles the trail descends into the East Fork of Sabino Creek. At this junction go right taking the East Fork Trail. If you go left the West Fork Trail takes hikers to Hutch's Pool a great hike I took last January. The East Fork traverses the southern side of the East Fork as it travels south-east. The environment in this part of the hike is predominately grass with riparian vegetation along the creek. Hikers pass by junctions for two trails: Box Camp  and Palisades Trail which descend from the top of Mount Lemmon. I recently read that the Box Camp trail is no longer maintained. I stopped and ate lunch with a group of hikers at the Palisade Canyon Trail Junction. They started near the top of Mount Lemmon and they informed me that the Palisade Canyon Trail is overgrown and hard to follow.  After this junction the East Fork Trail ascends to a small divide where it is then level for a qaurter of mile before the junction with the Bear Canyon Trail. After entering the top of Bear Canyon, the trail descends quickly through the use of 12 switchbacks to Bear Creek. The trail crosses Bear Creek before traversing the eastern side of Bear Canyon. Views along this part of the trail are stupendous with high rock walls on both sides. When the creek has water I would also watch for water falls and beautiful pools. Just passed Thimble Peak the trail descends to the Seven Falls cutoff. Views around Seven Falls are beautiful with striped Metamorphic rock towering on both sides of the canyon. After the falls the trail stays at the base of Bear Canyon crossing Bear Creek four times. This part of the hike is low altitude and can be hot during the afternoon. Make sure you pay attention because hikers have cut illegal trails to follow the creek or find other pools so it is easy to get of the main trail. Seven Falls is extremely popular with hikers and you will bot be alone. At the base of Bear Canyon hikers can take the Bear Canyon shuttle back to the parking lot or hike the three miles on the road. Total mileage: 10+ (depending on if you take the shuttle) with 1500 feet of elevation gain, (Some information from Hiking Arizona's Cactus Country by Erik Molvar).  

                               Junction at the end of the Sabino Canyon Trail

                                 The East Fork was beautiful

                   Looking northwest toward the Castle

             Upper part of Bear Canyon

                           Beautiful pool and waterfall

                            Saguaros and scenery  near Seven Falls

                        Scenery in Bear Canyon

Romero Canyon, Catalina Mountains October 25, 2014

                           First part of Montrose Canyon

Directions to trailhead: Catalina State Park is located 18 miles north of Tucson on US 89. From the University of Arizona take 1st Avenue toward the Catalina Mountains. Continue driving as if you are going to Oracle. Catalina State Park does require an $8 fee to enter.

The hike: Romero Canyon is one of the many trails in the Catalina Mountains which connect into the trail system for the Catalina Mountains. As a result it is popular trail for backpackers hiking to Mount Lemmon as well as day hikers going to Romero Pools. My objective for today's hike was to see the Romero Pools and possibly hike an extra 1.5 miles toward Romero pass.The trail starts out flat as it crosses a number of small washes in Catalina State Park. After a half mile the trail enters Montrose Canyon which has very dramatic rock walls. In this area a side trail descends to Montrose Pools. After a mile the trail climbs to the Montrose/Romero Divide. This is a 700 foot climb on rocky trail so remember to wear proper foot wear and drink enough water. On this section I saw two or three groups of college students wearing swim wear who looked burned from the sun. The Montrose/Romero Divide is one of the more scenic parts of the trail with great views of Pusch Ridge and the upper peaks of the range. From the divide it is a three-quarter mile descent to Romero Pools. After Romero Pools the trail becomes less crowded and overgrown in places. This overgrowth was mostly grass or cacti growing over the trail and not totally obscuring it. The problem can be seeing rattlesnakes in the grass if they do not rattle. My map showed one or two stream crossings but there are significantly more. Because of the rains during the monsoon season, it is tough to find the trail across Romero Creej and hikers need to follow stone cairns. After about 4.5 to 5 miles I back tracked to the trailhead. Total mileage was about 9.5 miles with 1400 feet of elevation gain.

                            Romero Pools with a significant amount of water

                           Romero Pools

               A beautiful spot above Romero Pools

                        Scenery mile above Romero Pools

                       Beautiful effect of sunlight on grass

                      Saguaros at the base of Montrose Canyon

                                 Major wash in Catalina State Park

Tucson Meet Yourself October 10, 11, 12

                        Polish Fiesta came from Poland to perform on Friday and Saturday

Around the second week of October Tucson, Arizona, hosts the annual Tucson Meet Yourself festival. Tucson Meet Yourself "is a celebration of the living traditional arts of Southern Arizona's and Northern Mexico's diverse ethnic and folk communities." This is a longer festival with acts starting around 12 pm on Friday and ending around 6 pm on Sunday night. On three different stages dancing groups, musicians and bands perform traditional acts.Recently this festival has become known for its food and locals even call it "Tucson Eat Yourself." Admittedly the food choices are amazing. Dozens of booths feature food from Vietnam, India, Poland, Mexico, and Jamaica just to name a few. However, for me Tucson Meet Yourself is about seeing great entertainment and learning about new cultures.  One of the enduring hallmarks of this festival is that it is free to watch the acts all they ask is for a one dollar donation. Enjoy my photos from Friday and Saturday's acts.(some information from tucsonmeetyourself.org)

                                  Polish Fiesta danced traditional Polish dances

                                 The girls of Polish Fiesta

                                        Belly Dance Tucson

                                   Belly Dance Tucson

                  Group who sang Russian songs

                     Gertie and the TO Boys

                         Sonora Dance Group

                        Beautiful dresses of the group

                              Seven Veils Belly Dance

                 Indian food stand