David Yetman 24

Today I wanted to share the joys of extended hikes (10 miles+) with my pal Jack Byers from Michigan. For this I could think of no better hike than the David Yetman Trail just a few miles west of downtown. I first hiked the Yetman almost exactly four years ago, on January 15, 2020 (just before the magic that would become the Covid pandemic). This easy-moderate 12.7 mile out-and-back hike is doable in 4 hours, if one keeps up a rigorous pace, and there is not a lot of climbing. It resides fully in the city’s Tucson Mountain Park, itself located in Saguaro National Park West, in the eponymous Tucson Mountains. The Tucsons are one of five primary mountain ranges surrounding the city that arguably make Tucson the hiking capital of the Western Hemisphere. The national park status of the area has kept the rapacious local developers at bay, and preserved a big park jam packed with the iconic Sonoran cactus and its various lesser brethren. It’s just a nice way to spend a morning, and what a beautiful day it was: 37° at the trailhead at 8:00 am, climbing to 69° for the day’s high, and little wind. 

We went early, expecting large holiday crowds, as this is a popular trailhead for the majority of visitors who only hike the 2.4 miles round trip to the historic and beautiful stone Bowen House ruins. Surprised that we were the first car parked in a lot that would be full four hours later.

On the Gates Pass side of the hike, we met a couple giddy Canadians, who were overjoyed in escaping the arctic cold and 50 centimeters of snow currently hammering Toronto. A few polite (sic) mountain bikers eased by in both directions, and a few families meandered by the final two miles, out enjoying their long holiday weekend. Most of these other hikers were heading to the Bowen ruins. 

Decent time considering we're two gabby hikers. About two minutes longer than the last, solo hike I took about a year ago (December 27, 2022). I am very impressed with Jack's hiking chops; he's a natural distance hiker.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Bowen House.

Pontatoc Ridge and Then Some

Meant to hike just the Pontatoc Ridge trail today, a quite short hike with some challenging elevation gain. But the 4.1 mile hike turned into a 5.3 miler after we (I) stupidly missed the well-signed trail. About 0.7 miles in the trail options are Pontatoc Ridge to the right, which we wanted, and Pontatoc Canyon straight away, which we didn't'. Turns out the folks we met, who chatted us up for 15 minutes, were taking a break right where our trail breaks south and on up to the ridge. In fairness to me, they were obscuring our trail sign. Suffice to say, I slapped my forehead a little over a half mile later, just before the Pontatoc Canyon Trail crossed the ravine and started its climb up the other side. So no biggie, bonus really, turning a really short hike into a fairly short hike, and also adding a couple hundred feet of elevation gain, just in case the old ticker was goldbricking.

Joining me today was my friend Jack from Michigan, who joined me for a few hikes last season, including the somewhat challenging Blackett's Ridge hike, all sporting his patented Levis and Vans look. Jack is a very strong hiker—maybe being 15 years junior doesn't hurt—and he is rightly considering tackling longer hikes, of which he is fully capable. I'm thinking the David Yetman Trail would be just in his wheelhouse, Vans and all.

Jack.

Catalina State Park to Sabino Canyon

We had talked for years about combining two of our favorite hikes into a point-to-point: Hutch’s Pool and Romero Canyon. We finally made it happen. And to do so required hiking from Catalina State Park off Route 77 up in Oro Valley, to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area on the northeast side of Tucson—to the tune of over 20 miles. The logistics were a hassle, getting up early and parking cars at both locations. But what a beautiful and varied hike. Plus, we got to see a birds-eye view of  Hutch’s Pool and discovered the springs that feed it. 

The hike was also marked by several river crossings—over 40 in all, across mostly dry beds—and two sides of a range that could hardly be more different. Romero Canyon, with it’s steep assemblage of rocks and boulders and switchbacks, and an elevation gain of 4,000 feet over 7 miles; and the West Fork Trail side, with smooth sandy paths wending their way down a  gentler slope for 13 miles, more reminiscent of Colorado wilderness than Arizona. And what a relief after the hard scramble up Romero; our feet were grateful.

Both sides of the hike still showed signs of the massive fire that swept through and burned 120,000 acres in these Santa Catalinas in June of 2020. Lots of burnt-out hulks of oak and fir and cacti. The trails themselves were in great shape, and clearly the park services (federal and state) have been busy with maintenance. 

Hit the trail at 7:00am while it was still dark, with the temperature a brisk but calm 38°, which would top out at 67° for the day. 

This elevation graphics the right really sums up the hike.

Video preview of the hike provided by All Trails.

Map of route (black line) , sans final four miles through Sabino Canyon.

Started out cold and dark. I had to use a headlamp for the first mile or so. Great hiking weather.

Looking down on Oro Valley, something I often do.

First glimpse of the Romero Pools. Did see a camper and his son with an illegal fire. Freedoms!

Minimal water feeding the streams and pools, which mostly are relying on springs during this dry month.

One of my favorite campgrounds on this hike.

One last push up to Romero Pass.

Where we're going.

Where we've been.

We will take the West Fork Trail (#24) over past Hutch's Pool to the Sabino Canyon trail.

Already liking the look of these trails as my dogs are barking from the rugged Romero Canyon.

(Photo by Misty Atkins)

Another option wold be to hike up to Cathedral Rock and back down via the Esperero Trail, which we made the mistake of taking last season from Ventana.

Apparently, God herself placed this boulder here around 6,000 years ago, when she was busy making this place.

First glimpse of Hutch's Pool, or at least the spring which feeds it.

A better view of the pool, which is pretty low compared to last year, when we couldn't reach it from the east due to high water. That was another epic hike of 20+ miles.

Our idyllic lunch spot.

The last leg, the Sabino Canyon Trail, which would prove to be as rocky as Phoneline and Romero, much to the chagrin of our put-upon feet.