Hitting the Hiking Trails

Greetings and Happy day light savings times to all you poor saps that have to set your clocks forward tonight,
Today I present a tale to you that should have been written by me, as I share the same views as the author about the hikins around Tucson. Enjoy.


Hi Loko. I was so glad to read your blog about Tucson Arizona I've only been living here for two years I moved down here from Las Vegas because I had been working in the casinos and I just kept getting laid off from one after another room for about the last five years and I knew that there were similar conditions here so I decided, Okay then let's just go down there and give Tucson as chance. I had been working in the casinos in Vegas, I do have a job at the Desert Diamond casino on Los Realos. I'm a blackjack dealer and it’s great it’s a lot different than it was in Vegas it’s a lot more relaxed here, actually I make more money on a steady basis than I did when I was in Vegas. Tucson, Arizona is a lot like Las Vegas as far as being surrounded by the mountains but the mountains here are much prettier than they are up there, the temperature is cooler here and I've gotten a chance to explore all lot of the three major mountain ranges around the city. I even got turned on to a couple of the places within the city that I can go and have a great view, There is of coarse “A” Mountain, and another place over by Saint Mary's Hospital. The U of A has a project going on and its 1.5 miles to the top and that seems like a really short hike for someone as experienced as I am, but it is really a good workout for anyone that's interested. Around the half way point you begin walking a 45° angle switch back road leading up to the top. I can feel the burn all the way to the top and the view is spectacular. You're not exactly in the middle of the city but you can, to coin a phrase “see forever” to the North East is the Santa Catalina’s. They are not Rocky Mountain High, yet the beauty of the Catalina’s at sunset is incomparable, like all Tucson sunsets with the reds, purple and orange colors. When I'm standing at the top of Tuc Hill gazing to the northwest it’s funny how you visualize certain shapes and formations. There is a mountain grouping that literally and looks like it's a large chair or throne for some giant or a godlike figure from Olympus. I've taken so many pictures yet I can never capture it on film as I see it with my naked eye. I can clearly see Wasson Peak, which is the highest point in elevation within Tucson. It’s a great view from there and from there you can actually see the west and onto the reservation. I've been on Finger Rock Trail, it's wonderful and hard part of the Catalina's also there is the Ponatoc Ridge Trail which leads off from the trailhead to north You have to access these two from Alvernon Way.
Sabino Canyon is by far the most popular trail around simply marvelous, but not much of a challenge. The seven falls trail that is just spectacular I go out at night among night desert hiker and sometimes we go out specifically just to see some of the things that you can only see at night I actually had an opportunity to see the Queen of the Night flower bloom in stages, what a magnificent flower it is, nothing compares to it. I've taken the Douglas Spring's trail from Speedway and I've hiked all through the Rincon’s floor trails but the Tanque Verde Trail is by far my favorite. I purchased a Parks pass the second time I went to what the Natives call the Monument; actually it is Saguaro East National Park. This year I plan to upgrade my pass to a National Parks Pass because it is not just good for Saguaro East, but is good at any National Park in the continental U.S. It has taken me several tries to reach the first camping ground called the Juniper Basin that is 6.3 miles in, but U finally made it, all by my lonesome. Along the way is a wonderful view atop a Butte of a Box Canyon. There have been many times that, it was as far as I have gotten, especially when I took someone with me. The desert is full of dangerous creatures and some not so dangerous like Javalina’s, Jack Rabbits, Rattlesnakes [Diamondbacks and Sidewinders], Gila Monsters, Giant Tortoise, Coyote’s, mountain deer, Scorpions, African Bees, and Roadrunners. I do love going up into those mountains and there’s a point when I can turn 360° and I don’t see any houses any cars any people nothing but mountains and Cactus the natural landscape and it's just beautiful. I hike alone 75% of the time, although I have gone with a group, or with just one other person. I always have to adjust my pace because they can’t keep up with me. I do stop often to take pictures or for a bite to eat. I really work up an appetite while on a hike. I don't really like going with large groups no more than four total is perfect for me, but just me and the trail is wonderful.
I keep hearing a lot about Mt Wrightstown, but so far I have never been there I did go to Pichaco Peak a kick-ass climb, but I loved every minute of it so far that's the only one that I've been able to go to that is outside of the city limits. I feel like I'm there are so many mountain ranges here and trailheads that I should explore all of them completely before I spent hours driving somewhere else to go hiking when it is literally right in my own back yard
A note to all of the readers about what to take when you go hiking, always take plenty of water and food. Seriously, as much water as you can carry, you should freeze most of it and even leave some frozen in the car, for when your hike is over. Eat a good solid breakfast, I generally start with some Oatmeal, take some orange juice, for space take along a packet or two of the salt you get from the fast food places. I like to have some cocktail shrimp, cheese, apple, banana, kiwi, orange, frozen grapes, melons, assorted nuts like pecans and almonds, dry roasted peanuts and something sweet for sure. You may pick up a bag of trail mix with any combination you like, but get a large bag, your life could depend upon your being properly prepared, especially if you hike alone as I do. There are times when I just want to go on a hike, but don’t want to have to carry a lot of food, let’s face it fruit is heavy and when you have to climb 2000-3000 feet, the water is heavy enough! Since I do most of my hiking do in the summer months when there are no tourists it is unlikely that I will encounter anyone on the trail. I’ve never camped out overnight but I would love to as long as I could go with people that I felt like I can trust if you don't have since enough to bring more than one 16oz or 32oz bottle of water with you and it is not even frozen when it's 115° in the shade I don't think so. You should carry a cell phone with you, although the reception may not be that good. Remember to always sign the register, before you venture onto the trail and please let someone know that you are going. How can they search for you if they do not know that you are out there? …… I dream of hiking trails!

She certainly sounds like my kinda girl. I love hiking as well, have a look at some of my photo's taken when hiking around Tucson.
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Peace,
Loko, Queen of The Night