Monthly Archives: December 2011

Winter Superstitions

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View from the top

As wilderness adventurers in some places are strapping on skis, snow shoes or crampons outdoor enthusiasts in Arizona are donning hiking boots and picking up trekking poles for lowland desert trips.  The Superstition Wilderness Area is particularly popular this time of year with day hikers, probably because of a relatively dense network of shortish trails and convenient access from the Phoenix area.

Several reliable springs provide water year round, a precious occurrence in the central Arizona desert.  One such fount is Whisky Springs, Continue reading →

Mines, Saguaro and Tucson

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Standing tall at 4 687 feet above sea level, Wasson peak is the highest point in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, and, indeed, the entire Tucson Mountain range. Hikers wishing to bag this peak have no shortage of ascent options, with trail heads to the south, west, and north-east. The southern trail head, at the start of the King Canyon Trail, is probably the most convenient approach for Tucson residents. From there, a nice half-day hike of about 8 miles along very well maintained and signed trails takes would-be peak-baggers from 2 915 feet to the top of the mountain and back. Along the way are a few abandoned mines, old stone buildings, excellent views of the Tucson Mountains and surrounding country, and, of course, lots of saguaro cacti.

A hill, studded with tall saguaro cacti, is lit by a bright, afternoon sun

Sunlit Saguaros

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