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.

Wild Burro, Wild Mustang, and Upper Javalina Loop

Once again warmer than normal temps (a high of 77º today) and lots of plants flowering like it's spring. This winter's weather is a warning shot for anyone not a climate-denier like old Presidementia Been-a-Dick Arnold. The Klutzy Klepto Klansman is trying to open up to oil drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, home of over 200 endangered species, just so he can reward his billionaire pals pawning off the previous century's energy to further destabilize our climate. What a dangerous moron. But I digress. 

This solo hike (my hiking partner is out for a couple-three weeks maybe) sends me to the Tortolita's, which is about as safe an area to hike as there is around Tucson (it's relatively well-trafficked), if one wants anything other than a bunny hill to climb. 

This is the first time I've hiked this particular route. I have certainly hike parts of this loop on my previous hikes, most of which were longer by 5-8 miles, including the Tortolita Superloop—one of my favorites—which I hiked in December (also solo). Misty and I also participated in the M.O.V.E. trail event in 2024, an annual event that benefits the parks and rec. departments of Marana and Oro Valley, two Tucson burbs. That hike included 13 miles in the Tortolitas followed by 7 miles in Catalina State Park. A worthwhile event, but probably a one-off for me; not a big fan of crowds while I hike and bike. I no longer ride RAGBRAI either.

Saw a few other hikers, mostly close to the trailheads, and three mountain bikes coming off the Alamo Spring trail. Pretty calm and mostly clear. This loop starts off with a rocky 1,500 foot climb up the Upper Javalina and Wild Mustang trails, then settles in to a smoother ridge hike before descending back down the Wild Burro Trail to the trailhead. I was actually surprised by my pace considering I am still a little overly cautious on the rocky downhills. I hiked the loop clockwise and would do so again.

This ain't bloomin normal. Yikes; it's only just February.

This view shows how the trail flattens out a bit after the initial steep climb.

The Wild Burro Trail includes a lot of the actual wash which it criss-crosses.

The remains of an old well/water tank.

Pumphouse or other structure adjacent to the water tank.