Romero Canyon to Romero Pools +

With globally warmed spring here preternaturally, and temps expected to be in the 80s, I figured I needed to finish my hike today no later than about 1:30; and since I can't seem to get moving any earlier than 10:30 in the AM (as I have to do at least two NYT crosswords as part of my morning constitution) I chose a close hike and one of my favorites: Romero Canyon to the Romero Pools. I read a recent report on AllTrails that it was better to go past the first set of pools as the second set were even more full and flowing, so that's what I did, and even hiked a bit beyond that just to get to seven miles.

Lots of bipeds out today, a fairly old lot with a sprinkling of youngsters. Most everyone settled on the first set of pools as it became quite warm with the unfiltered sun. Good day for a dip, and these folks took advantage of the rather deep pools. Not my bag, but it did keep the trail clear of primates on the way to the second set of pools, about 0.3 miles further on.

About 68 degrees at the start of the hike, around 10:45; close to 80º at the finish about 2 ½ hours later. The parking lot was full to the brim when I arrived which is a bit surprising. The Arizona state park system had to nearly triple the cost of their yearly passes, and double the cost of daily passes. This all because the of the neo-Nazis newly infesting the White House and Congress cut money for state parks so they could give tax cuts to billionaires. Time to cut billionaires.

A panorama of the upper pools in case you are too lazy to scroll down to the pool pics and video.

The first ¾ mile or so is a sandy maintenance road. This quickly gives way to a very rocky ascent. This stretch is always a welcome sight after the pounding one's feet get on this hike. It was especially welcome in 2019 when four of us set out on the Sutherland Trail and got caught at elevation if knee-deep snow causing us to get back to the trailhead around midnight!

So green and blooming. This is not normal for February.

The first set of pools. I cropped out the bathers.

Sabino Canyon and West Fork Trails to Hutch's Pool

Lots of cold rainy weather lately, so it was a relief to land on a sunny, warmish (high 60s) Saturday for a longer hike. Today, we chose Hutch's Pool, a little 16-mile roundtrip from the Sabino Canyon Visitor's Center. Everything is so green and flowering after the timely rains and spring temperatures throughout December and January. Pretty frightening, really, if you're paying any attention to the rapidly changing climate. 

I've been to Hutch's Pool several times in many different ways. Most recently, it was on a 20-mile hike up steep rocky Romero Canyon in Catalina State Park to Romero Pass, and then down the more gradual and smoother West Fork Trail to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. A year before that, we added a detour to the Seven Falls-Bear Canyon-Phoneline loop for an even longer hike of about 21 miles. Today's route, by comparison, was a rather shorter but no less spectacular hike through an unseasonal greening desert.

Saw a lot of animals today—mostly other primates—but also what looked like an entire village (squadron is the proper collective noun) of javelinas, cute kiddies and all. We also ran into a few backpackers out for an overnight or two. It seems everyone is trying to distract themselves from our shocking and scary slide into White Christian Nationalist fascism. Good day for a hike.

Wasn't quick enough with the camera to capture the whole squadron (or two), so no pics of the babies.

Lots of water today, but only two water crossings, and

those on the West Fork Trail.

Not sure what this plant is, but looks a bit like a hydrangea, which surely don't grow in this climate.

Some senior citizen who wandered away from the home. (Photo by Misty Atkins)

The waterfall that feeds Hutch's Pool. (Photo by Misty Atkins)

Misty enjoying the warm sun during our break. We often will have lunch here, but it was so early—only 10:30.

(Photo by Misty Atkins)

Hutch's Pool.

Hutch's Pool again.

The verdant desert.

Spring poppies along a stretch of the Sabino Canyon Trail.

Shantz - Cholla - Squeeze - Wildhorse Loop

I meant to hike this yesterday, but the temps were in the 80s and I hate having to carry so much water for an otherwise easy 11 mile hike, so I waited until today and it still managed 77º despite it being slightly overcast. 

This hike was a walk in the park, literally and figuratively: the entirety of the route is in Saguaro National Park. Unfortunately, the Fascists currently destroying the country want to sell our national treasure of a park system to the highest bidder. Screw them. But I digress once again.

The route is actually composed of seven trails: Shantz, Cholla, Cactus Forest, Carillo, Three Tank, and Wild horse.  Only about 900 feet of gain, mostly in one spot about 6 miles in, but the trails were well maintained and easy on the feet. The first three miles were sand, not my favorite trail surface, but I was still able to maintain a decent pace. This is a horsey trail as well as a hiker/biker trail. Saw a few other hikers doing short in-and-outs, and two groups of folks on horses. Also some kids working on trail building, no doubt ruing their decision to major in Forestry.

Could have actually used more water because of the heat. But managed to stay upright, one of my main goals these days.

AllTrails sent me this notice today, reminding me of my

ill-fated hike a year ago. Thanks, AllTrails.

Sandy start to the hike.

So many flowers because of the spring-like weather.

The Rincons in the distance. I have hiked that entire ridge in the past.

The Garwood Dam.

One of the tanks on Three Tanks Trail.

The last mile -and-a-half was also sand, kind of like the inside of my mouth at that point.