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Happy New Year! May your 2015 be filled with fantastic adventures!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!

For New Year’s Eve I decided to celebrate in the tiny town of Oracle. It’s on the northern side of the Catalina Mountains, and I go there often both for work and play because it’s one of the 33 Gateway Communities on the Arizona Trail. It’s a small but vibrant community with an artsy feel that has many historic guest ranches. As I drove closer to Oracle, gaining elevation on Highway 77, the rain turned into fat, wet snowflakes. I checked into my beautiful room at El Rancho Robles Guest Ranch and relaxed for a couple of hours before going out for the night.

Snow starting to come down at El Rancho Robles

Snow starting to come down at El Rancho Robles

My relaxing room at El Rancho Robles Guest Ranch

My relaxing room at El Rancho Robles Guest Ranch

When I emerged from the room, there was considerably more snow and I was glad that there was a shuttle service running so that I didn’t have to brave the roads filled with scared drivers and partiers. People in Southern Arizona are really bad at driving in any kind of precipitation, but throw a little snow in there and people just can’t deal.

My first stop was the Triangle L Ranch, where there was a fun band and delicious potluck. Normally, I would have spent at least a little time wandering the grounds, but I was wearing inappropriate footwear for so much snow. The ranch holds one of my favorite events, the GLOW Festival, in the fall. Their website describes it well- “Triangle L Ranch offers comfortable accommodations, privacy, easygoing hospitality, and the charm of a rustic, historic ranch setting enhanced by a commitment to the arts.” A wonderful place. I didn’t bring my camera, but here’s a pic of one of their outdoor areas:

Triangle L Ranch

Triangle L Ranch

After a while, I went with some folks to check out the new Ore House Hilltop Tavern. Formerly Don Juan’s Bar, it has new owners and has been completely remodeled. There is a gorgeous outdoor patio and I’ll have to come back sometime when there’s not four inches of snow on the bar.

I went back to the Triangle L to ring in the New Year with some dancing. It was a really fun night, made magical by the ever-falling snow. It finally stopped around 2 am and cleared up. I was glad I took the shuttle, a bunch of folks couldn’t get out of the icy driveway and had to unexpectedly stay the night.

The next morning, I couldn’t wait to go see the Arizona Trail with snow on it. For those who know me, I am not usually a fan of snow. I grew up in the frigid Chicago suburbs and developed a disgust for the white stuff. But snow at low elevations in the desert, frosting the mountaintops as well as the cacti- that is something to see!

Saw this near another room and it made me smile

Saw this near another room and it made me smile

El Rancho Robles

El Rancho Robles

I had to scrape my windshield and windows before leaving, something I haven’t had to do in years. There were abandoned cars all over the place as I drove to the trailhead. Like I said, people can’t deal. American Flag TH was exactly the winter wonderland I’d hoped for. This was my new Sony A6000 camera’s first hike, and what a scene!

Snowy American Flag Trailhead

Snowy American Flag Trailhead

I hiked a little ways to the north, enjoying the views of the snow-capped Galiuros and giggling about snowy cholla and prickly pear. I love this part of the Arizona Trail with its boulders and expansive views. The American Flag TH is where I originally got the idea back in May 2007 to hike the Arizona Trail and will always have a special place in my heart. Who knew that a simple hike seven years ago would put my life on such an unexpected path?

American Flag Ranch

American Flag Ranch

American Flag Ranch

American Flag Ranch

Snow on Prickly Pear

Snow on Prickly Pear

Then I returned to the trailhead and hiked south on the AZT. At first, I thought I’d just hike a little way in and turn around, but once I got going I realized that I could easily hike up to the High Jinks Ranch. After a short distance, there were no more tracks and it was so beautiful to see the glittering expanse of untouched white. I’ve hiked this part of the Arizona Trail so many times, but never in the snow. It doesn’t last too long at this elevation when the sun comes out.

Snowy Arizona Trail

Snowy Arizona Trail

I approached the High Jinks Ranch and the owner, Dan, invited me in for a cup of tea. Sounded great, as it was pretty chilly outside- the clouds had come in low again. The views from the ranch are expansive and spectacular. Dan rents out a casita on the grounds, which is where I celebrated my 40th birthday last year. The High Jinks is very hiker, biker, and horseback rider-friendly and totally worth a visit if you’re on the Arizona Trail.

Approaching High Jinks Ranch

Approaching High Jinks Ranch

View from High Jinks Ranch

View from High Jinks Ranch

I eventually had to head back down the hill and back to Tucson- my dog Bailey is quite old and I don’t like to leave her at home alone for long when my husband is not around. Before leaving town, I stopped at the Oracle Patio Cafe for a slice of their heavenly pie with homemade whipped cream to go. You could say that the pie was the icing on the cake of a fantastic New Year’s celebration- what a great way to start the year!

Micro Chicken hanging out with the snowman

Micro Chicken hanging out with the snowman

At Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tucson, we recently released some skunks. I found this picture of one of them right before the release. Now they live at the Arlington Wildlife Area southwest of Phoenix.

Donate Button with Credit Cards

Donate to Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tucson

Hooded Skunk at Wildlife Rehab NW Tucson

Hooded Skunk at Wildlife Rehab NW Tucson

Free at last!

Free at last!

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I was unable to attend any of the AZT Trek hikes and events since Sirena started her epic journey on March 14, so I was elated when she invited me to join her and Wendy as she trekked the Oracle Ridge portion of Passage 12 last Saturday. The three of us have had some memorable hikes in the past, including Frog Hollow and Elephant Head, so I knew this would be another great outing.

The hardest part about day-hiking sections of the Arizona Trail in a one-way direction is logistics and Oracle Ridge was no exception. Sirena had spent the night on Mt. Lemmon in Summerhaven so she was set to go. On the other hand Wendy and I were coming from afar and met up at the American Flag Trailhead at 6:30am after leaving our respective homes at 0-dark-hundred. We left Wendy’s truck at American Flag and shuttled in my vehicle up Mt. Lemmon via the Oracle Control Road (FR38).  Although the Control Road was only about 25 miles in length its twisty, rocky unpaved route took nearly two hours. Fortunately FR38 was Subaru-friendly.  Upon reaching Summerhaven we picked up Sirena and drove back down the Control Road a short distance to the Oracle Ridge Trailhead where we began our 13.2 mile Arizona Trail Trek.

Sirena & Wendy at Oracle Ridge Trailhead

Sirena & Wendy at Oracle Ridge Trailhead

As we began our hike at 8:45am the air temperature on Mt. Lemmon was in the mid 30’s under a clear, sunny sky. It wasn’t long before we had an impressive view down Oracle Ridge along which we would spend most of the day. Some of the “bumps” along Oracle Ridge include Marble, Rice, and Apache Peaks.

Oracle Ridge

Oracle Ridge

Most of Oracle Ridge is still recovering from wildfire over a decade ago.  We wondered if it had been the 2002 Bullock Fire or the 2003 Aspen Fire that had torched the ridge, or perhaps both.  There were many charred trees still standing tall among new vegetation.

"Roasted" alligator juniper

“Roasted” alligator juniper

Looking back toward Mt. Lemmon you can see the vastness of the burn.

Mt. Lemmon from Oracle Ridge

Mt. Lemmon from Oracle Ridge

The awesome views from the AZT on Oracle Ridge are a big benefit of the fire. Off to the east were the Galiuros and Mt. Graham. We could see as far north as Four Peaks, Weavers Needle, and the Superstitions.  Closer in the Biosphere domes were visible.

Biosphere

Biosphere

Before we knew it we were at Dan Saddle and a little further down the trail we had a nice view of Marble Peak which we had skirted earlier.

Marble Peak

Marble Peak

There are so many amazing views along the Oracle Ridge portion of the Arizona Trail that it would be hard to pick a favorite. However, there probably isn’t a better view of the Reef of Rock anywhere else in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Reef of Rock

Reef of Rock

Sirena and Wendy pointed out Canada del Oro, behind Reef of Rock, as they reminisced about backpacking in the past.

Canada del Oro

Canada del Oro

As we trekked along the AZT we observed impressive specimens of agave and hedgehog cacti.

Agave

Agave

Hedgehog cactus

Hedgehog cactus

Hedgehog cactus

Hedgehog cactus

After several hours into our hike we paused for a snack break along the trail where we enjoyed a grand view across the San Pedro River Valley toward the Galiuros and Mt. Graham.

San Pedro River Valley

San Pedro River Valley

Sirena & Wendy

Sirena & Wendy

Perhaps the most difficult part of the hike was around Rice Peak due to loose rock on a steep jeep road trail. We had a name for it which I can’t publish here 🙂  Glancing back and glad it was behind us…

Rice Peak

Rice Peak

Don’t tell AZGFD but we had a scary “wildlife incident” when Micro Chicken encountered a horned lizard in Sirena’s hand!  🙂

Horned lizard & Micro Chicken

Horned lizard & Micro Chicken

On the Oracle Ridge section of Passage 12 the Arizona Trail follows the Oracle Ridge Trail for 10.3 miles and the Cody Trail for 2.9 miles. Although the entire 13.2 mile section is in good shape and easy to follow the lower portion of the Oracle Ridge Trail and the entire Cody Trail had some recent tread work and were in super shape.

Along the Cody Trail the AZT winds through a scenic Texas Canyon-like boulder field.

Boulders along AZT/Cody Trail

Boulders along AZT/Cody Trail

A big highlight of this outing came late in the hike when we made a very short detour from the AZT/Cody Trail to High Jinks Ranch which is a National Historic Site once inhabited by “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

Nothing like a little bit of history to go along with a hike on the Arizona Trail!

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch

Left click on photo for larger view

Left click on photo for larger view

Current owners Dan and Laurel invited us in for a visit as their dogs welcomed us from a rooftop lookout.

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch

High Jinks Ranch is a pretty cool place and even has a hot tub and its own Arizona Trail portal.

Hot tub at High Jinks Ranch

Hot tub at High Jinks Ranch

Arizona Trail portal at High Jinks Ranch

Arizona Trail portal at High Jinks Ranch

From High Jinks Ranch it was a short but scenic 1.6 mile hike to the American Flag Trailhead which was our final destination for the day.

Along the AZT/Cody Trail

Along the AZT/Cody Trail

The sun was casting long shadows as we reached the 200 mile mark of Sirena’s Arizona Trail Trek.

IMG_2205

Upon arrival at the American Flag Trailhead Sirena posed with an limited edition AZT Trek bandana.

American Flag Trailhead

American Flag Trailhead

Meanwhile Wendy unwound after a memorable AZT Trek before making the long drive back up the Oracle Control Road to my car near Summerhaven.

Wendy

Wendy

The Arizona Trail Trek is an 800-mile thru-hike across Arizona to promote the Arizona National Scenic Trail, the Gateway Communities and the new official AZT guidebook. In addition, the AZT Trek is using an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign with unique and exclusive incentives to raise $20,000 for the Arizona Trail Association to maintain, protect, and promote the Arizona Trail. So far almost $2,500 has been raised. I made a contribution and challenge YOU to do the same. If nothing else check out the great video by Matt and Sirena and browse the unique and exclusive incentives.

It was an honor and pleasure to hike along with Sirena (and Wendy) for a small portion of her 800+ mile Arizona Trail Trek and to be a guest blogger on Sirena’s Wanderings.

Great hike, great weather, and great trail companions! … just another crummy day in the Sonoran Desert 🙂

Bill Bens

Sirena, Wendy and Bill at High Jinx Ranch

Sirena, Wendy and Bill at High Jinx Ranch

 

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