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Pima Canyon Peramble
Another trailhead in the midst of posh houses takes us through an easement corridor and into the alternately rocky and lush Pima Canyon. Our goal for the evening is “the dam”, a waypoint 3.2 miles up the canyon. I run ahead, getting some barefoot time in, until the peace of the place overcomes me and…
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Jailhouse Rock Climbing
After winding through a wide meadow that once housed a prison camp, we follow Soldier Creek until it suddenly disappears into a slot too narrow to squeeze through. The trail finds an alternate route into the rocky canyon, and leads us to a nice slab with some blocky roofs for a little climbing. We chat…
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Blackett’s Ridge Hike
We almost don’t make it out today, arguing about whether it’s too late, whether we should have a map, whether we should have headlamps. Starting anyway, we soon hit intersections without being sure which way to go, then a river. Fumbling through, things feel better as we start to climb, and we’re smiling again when…
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Windy Point Windy, Hairpin Turn Tight
It’s time to venture further up towards Mount Lemmon, we decide. We make it as far as Windy Point, where a frigid wind does indeed blow. There are a couple of campgrounds on the way that are $10 a night, which we take note of for future reference. Having accomplished this, we promptly head all…
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Hunting Buffelgrass
Ann and I are both trying something new today. Ann has been hired on as a temp for the big yearly sale at Summit Hut, the local gear store, and I have volunteered to pull Buffelgrass in Saguaro National Park. We both bike to our jobs for the day. My ride is blissfully quiet on…
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Book: Sahara / Paula Constant
I’m very fortunate to have helped Paula Constant with her website (where you can order her books), because it would be too easy to miss out on her journey, and that would be a real loss. The thing that makes this book so gripping (aside from plain good writing) is that when Paula begins, she…
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Bridal Wreath Falls Hike
We actually have to cross flowing water on the road to get to the trailhead Ann scouted out for an “after work” hike in Saguaro National Park. This and the cold wind are a little unusual we’re told, but the completely clear sky is standard Tucson. The trails in the park are so nice that…
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Human Power to Maiden Pools
Already we’ve become total pansies about the “cold”. This applies to an overnight low below 40°F, which sends us scurrying to the heater in the morning and complaining loudly that it’s freeeeeeeeezing. But any local will concur, and tell you it’s not just the air temperature, “it’s the wind chill.” To stay warm today I…
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Bike to Sabino Canyon
Still wanting to find human-powered routes to local trailheads, we set out once more with rain clouds building overhead. The trailhead looks great, if popular. The ranger warns us of high water in the canyons at the moment, while the temperature drops, the wind whips, and the sky grows dark outside. We’re happy just to…