Sabino Canyon, Tucson AZ 12-27-08

Sabino Canyon, Tucson AZ 12-27-08

Sabino Canyon is located at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains on the east side of the city of Tucson. A shuttle bus takes you on a paved 3.8 mile road along the canyon floor and crosses nine low-water bridges. Hikers have a choice of several stops to hike and get back on the bus or get off at the top and walk all the way back, which is what we did.

Saguaro National Park, continued

There is more to see than Saguaros...

Barrel cactus with fruit.

Palo Verde

.... and travel friend, Marlin and Jim

Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ, December 27, 2008

Saguaro cacti may live up to 200 years. They grow slowly, up to 1-1.5 inches during the first 8 years of life. They do not tolerate a freeze and die if there is a frost of more than 20 hours. Flowers open during the night and close in the morning. Polination is done by bats feeding on nectar.

Saguaro may live up to 75 years before developing "side arms."

A young Saguaro growing under the protection of a "nurse" bush.

.
The ridges unfold like an accordion to hold water.

Denver Hike

Two more pictures from last Sunday's Carpenter's Peak hike.

Denver Hike

February 1, 2009. Spectaclar geologic settings where the Plains and the Rocky Mountains meet. A place of beauty in winter shades of cream, red, ocre and pale greens. Carpenter's peak (7,160 ft) offered views of Mount Evans to the north and Pikes Peak to the south. Distance: 6.2 miles. Elevation 1000 ft. Difficulty: moderate.

Paliza Canyon Goblin Colony, Jemez Mountains, NM, 2/1/2009

What we saw: hoodoos, goblins, gargoyles, Cleopatra's needles, tents, haystacks, exploded solidified bubbles and roller coaster rides. This hike is located off Paliza Campground in the Jemez Mountains. Distance: 4 miles round trip. Rating: easy. Includes climb up to the ridge line in the canyon.

Pictures from last Sunday's hike into fantasy land.