Mt. Lemmon, snow and ice 2-6-16

 The Rincons from Mt. Lemmon Hwy.  Snow in the foreground on the shady side of the Mt.

 Scenic pulout still has snow. Hoodoos on the right.

 Ice on the Quarry.  Very little compared to 2010

 Still alot of snow on the Hwy.

 Plan was to hike Summerhaven to Marshall Gulch.  WOW the ice!!!

 My favorite roadside water fall, runs all year long.

 Ice falls along the road.  NEVER seen this before! Nifty!

 Makes me think of Stalagmites in a cave!

 More ice across the creek

 This is the first roadway across the creek . Has a restroom at the far right.  However, there is a TREE on the bridge.  Luckily it fell the length of the bridge.  I drive this in summer to park my car.

 The creek is so pretty here

 The Visitor center fella said this was pussy willow.  I really have never seen it as a tree!

 My little water fall looks bigger from this angle.

This Trek was planned....from the Visitor Center to Marshall Gulch and back.  I have done this before with alot more snow.  Had no idea it was all uphill going back!  Registered 35 floors on my Fitbit.
The snow was pretty compacted , and there were alot of folks enjoying the snow, sledding mostly.
Coming back I did take a tumble, but I was fine!!!!

Skyline Reginal Park, west of Phoenix, Hiked the Turnbuckle trail. 3.6 miles

 Here we go, found someone to take our picture!

 Gin and Frosty waiting for slow poke me!

 The vegetation here is very different from Tucson, but has its OWN beauty!!!

 Looking back the way we have already come

 This trail is so wide, and neat, not rocky at all.

 This view shows the Teddy Bear Cholla on the trail.  This cactus is the main plant here.

 Gin is checking out the rock in the wash.  Pretty nifty to see.

 We finally made it over the HUMP, and are looking to our goal.  Trail in the middle is not one we will be on.

 This view is more to the left, and does show our trail in the distance

 This looks really leisurely as we finish our long and wonderful hike.

 This is looking back up from where we were.

This also is looking back the way we came.

Have to say, this is a really GREAT hike for this time of year.  Will be too hot soon!  But I sure enjoyed it!tucsonrn@yahoo.com

Hike in Phoenix on January 27,2016

Park in the middle of Phoenix.  Not alot of folage, but a LOT of trails to challenge!

Here is my cousin, Virginia at the top of the "saddle".

Here is our view north of Phoenix, from the bottom of the hill and beyond.  Wow! 

Here we are coming round the mountain, with Frosty Dog.

 We were heading down here, trail in the far distances...

Trail at the left here is one we still have to do.  Not enough time for all there is there.

Very barren here, very different from my trails in Tucson.

I will retitle this when I learn the name of this place!

DESERT SPRINGS TRAIL, Tucson, Arizona 1-21-16

View  from Desert Springs trail,  Just ascending

First "saddle"....no place to rest.... You can see a bit of the snow on Mt. Lemmon.  Still lasting....

First water on trail.  Not alot, but nice.  From here it is alot more UP!

From here I can see the rock mountain at the top.  Would love to go there, but it is a couple day hike.  No road to the top of the Rincons.

This is my favorite part of the trail to Bridal Wreath

Have been to this creek when it was really flowing heavy.  Someone was nice to place alot of steps across here.  This water comes from  the falls.

Heavier than my last visit.  So nice to see and listen to it.  I have been here when I could not get this close.  TOO much water then!  Other times, NO water at all.  

Trek back with the Purple Catalinas in the background.