If you visit Tucson take some time for this grand mountain. The rugged Santa Catalinas that dominate the northern Tucson skyline are an inviting place to hike in the winter.
We stayed 2 nights at the Catalina State Park where there are several trails into the mountains. There was a dusting of snow on the peaks and it rained a little during our first night.
Shifting clouds spotlighted the lower peaks as we prepared for a day of hiking on the Romero Canyon Trail. It's 6 miles from the trail head to Romero Pass, an elevation gain of 3,300 ft.
Light & shadow, desert & snow. The sun light edged its way under the clouds that veil the summit.
Old Man Saguaro.
A fine 1-mile, multi-use trail goes from the campground to the trail head for Romero Canyon where the ascent begins. This is the boundary for the Coronado National Forest where the trail becomes steep, rocky and for foot travel only. Dogs are not allowed as it is home to Desert Bighorn.
A walk among giants. These minor peaks are spectacular in their own right. The Catalinas are a giant granite dome with Mount Lemmon as its summit of 9,157 ft.
The previous day we saw the Hobbit in 3-D. The rock giants would be doing battle in this place.
A miracle in the desert. Recent rains channel into boisterous waterfalls that fill the deserts silent cathedral.
2.2 miles up the trail a high desert valley opens to a chain of pools and falls. Beautiful. Would be delightful on a hot summer day but no one will take a plunge today.
Double waterfalls into an over-your-head plunge pool.
Near noon in the upper canyon and the higher peaks begin to shed their veil.
By afternoon the snowy peaks are revealed. What a grand place to be at this moment.
Our camp site at Catalina State Park and another great adventure in the Sprinter.
'Till next time.
Jackie
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