Ram's Canyon Trail Oro Valley

Still killing time while I wait on a longer hike, which I am loath to do solo. Today I chose the Ram's Canyon Trail in Oro Valley, as distinguished from Ram's Canyon Trail in Catalina State Park. Both trails are in a Big Horn Sheep Management Area, and this Ram's Canyon Trail also dips its big toe into Catalina State Park in the last mile. I would have hiked in Catalina State Park itself, but I am holding off buying an annual state park pass like last year as they went from $75 to $200, and the daily entrance pass is 10 bucks for an individual. This primarily because the Nincompoop Nazis in D.C. cut state park budgets in favor of tax cuts to billionaires. Lucky for democracy, these white Christian nationalist guys are predominantly dumber than bulls in a China shop, yet break more porcelain. They will be gone soon, gods willing and the creek don't rise. Speaking of which...

I am filling in the hiking calendar with shorter hikes while waiting for our long Bear Canyon to Phoneline loop hike, postponed twice thus far. Most recently it was due to thigh-deep water in Bear Creek, which we have to cross seven times on the way to Seven Falls, before wrapping around Thimble Peak on the way to Sabino Canyon and the Phoneline Trail. Had lots of great, steady rain recently, so not yet snow melt—that comes later—and the water should recede fairly quickly. Hope to do that hike, or something similar, on Wednesday. 

I will hike this trail again as it's pretty easy on the feet, legs, and lungs, and I think I could extend it another mile up the mountain. Saw one trail runner and a hiking couple. Hiked a bit into the park where the Catalina Park fence petered out. Great weather in the low sixties and clear skies with a few wispy clouds.

The trail weaved through the Cañada del Oro wash the first half mile or so before climbing to higher ground. Pretty easy to follow despite what other hikers on AllTrails reported.

Some moderate boulder scrambling.

Oro Valley and the Tortolita's in the distance.

Traced this water pipe to this...

...water tank. 

The green marks Catalina State Park and

a Bighorn Sheep Management Area.