Another S.D.S. Pt #4.. Sun drenched landscapes of Pima Canyon

[Silas_Sancona]

The final chapter in Wednesdays adventure..

After some exploration of the canyon's flora, a long winded, -but necessary- discussion on some challenges faced there, and in the region, time to relax and take in some spectacular scenery.. Even if more subdued due to the drought, and time of year.  A great place to visit if/when in the area, esp. during / just after a wet monsoon season, if heat doesn't bother you. Regardless of moving soon, i'll be back to see up close what i couldn't stop viewing -from a distance- during such a summer.

Sabino Canyon, located a bit further southeast along the base of the Catalinas might be a little more accessible ( Has a paved road that leads deep into the canyon.. and a tram one can take, if desired/ necessary ).. While one must hike into Pima and some of the other canyons nearby to explore, roaming over rocky trails that in places don't seem like a trail offer up something Sabino might not, if you stay on the road.. Certainly worth exploring however. 

For those who might be curious, the reason i present such detailed threads is to offer up something everyone can enjoy, whether local, or half way across the globe. In a time when it might be tough to.., or some might not feel it is safe enough to take a trip to do some exploring yet, i hope this gives those people a chance to sit back and enjoy some views of the desert from the comforts of home.  Simple enough, right?

Enjoy....

Morning view of the San Tan Mountains, on the road south.. Interesting that on many trips, i always seem to catch a similar scene along the way.


The Bridge you pass under just beyond the parking lot. ( Not the best angle w/ the sun to my east ( pic#1. ) Little better on the way back ( Pic#2 ) Fought with early day sun angles thru the morning.  **I'll have a better camera on the next trip, guaranteed .




   As for the lot itself, roughly 30 parking spots.. As w/ any hiking spot, here or in Tucson, arrive early if headed out this time of year.  ( had to walk an extra quarter mile or so to/from where i parked to the trail leading into the -other-  Pima Canyon, in South Mountain Park/ Preserve.. And that is arriving around 9-9:30AM that day )

Into the canyon we go...


First crossing of Pima Wash, looking north at the south facing slopes of the canyon.




Opposite side, and some welcome shade..


Onward..
























..........

[Silas_Sancona]

Looking up the Canyon up into the Catalinas..
















Zoomed in views of the prominent peaks back there.. ( a couple near- repeats, from another point along the trail.. )








Looking back toward the entrance of the Canyon...








Back across the first crossing, ( of Pima Wash ) on the way out..




..And last, but not forgotten....
 

[Silas_Sancona]

..Tucson Views from outside the entrance of the canyon..


Hard to see but "A" Mountain/ Sentinel Peak * far left, roughly center of the picture.. Pyramid looking peak* / southern end of the Tucson Mts. in view ( looking Southwest ). Tohono o' odham nation/reservation in view further west.


Central ( pic. #1 ) and northern view ( pic. #2 ) of the Tucson Mountains. Silverbell Mtns/  Ironwood Nat. Monument in view ( Pic. 2 ) as well.




Zoomed in ( as best as possible ) w/ the Santa Rita Mountains ( Home of  Madera Canyon/ Mt. Wrightson ) to the south in view


Palm topped slopes with some of the best views in town. North facing slopes of the Rincon Mountins/ Saguaro Park <east> in view toward the left. Lower east flank of the Santa Ritas further south toward the distant right.


Closer up of Wasson Peak ( in the Tucson Mountains/ Saguaro Nat. Park < West > )  Had considered a trip out there to climb Wasson but not sure my legs are quite ready yet, lol.


One final view looking toward Pima Canyon, 2 looking west over Magee Road, which leads from the Tucson Mountains to the west ( Turns into Cortero Road west of the river ( roughly the halfway point when traveling it ) to the Tucson Mtns. ), to the parking lot here at the base of the Catalinas. Whomever lives in this house/ others in this area ( Pics. 1-2 ) have a mighty nice view, ..in every direction. Must be fantastic during Monsoon season, when it actually rains, lol.







Hope you've enjoyed the view..
-Nathan

Edited February 14, 2021 by Silas_Sancona
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[Palmensammler]

Hi Nathan,  thank you for these amazing pictures. They remind me of the 2019 trip. Love the Saguaros and Barrels. Had seen so many while staying in the Saguaro NP.

Hope my germinated Ferocatus wislizeni do have this origin.

 Would like to see more.

Eckhard

[Silas_Sancona]

36 minutes ago, Palmensammler said:

Hi Nathan,  thank you for these amazing pictures. They remind me of the 2019 trip. Love the Saguaros and Barrels. Had seen so many while staying in the Saguaro NP.

Hope my germinated Ferocatus wislizeni do have this origin.

 Would like to see more.

Eckhard

You're welcome..  In case you hadn't viewed them already, there's lots more images in parts 1 and 2 of this trip, everything from Cacti to some of our native " desert " Ferns in that thread..

Also images in pt. 3, but those of are the effects of a big fire that occurred in this area last summer.

Will be heading somewhere else, not quite as wild.. but with plenty of things to see ( and share here ) and great scenery, soon.  Clock is ticking on my time left in Arizona.. ( Will be back for future trips of course )

[Palmensammler]

Hi Nathan,

Had seen the others as well.  I'm dreaming of coming back to his area once again. Will you leave Arizona?

Eckhard

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, Palmensammler said:

Hi Nathan,

Had seen the others as well.  I'm dreaming of coming back to his area once again. Will you leave Arizona?

Eckhard

Cool, just wanted to make sure you didn't miss those threads..

Moving back west  " over the hill " ( -as i refer to it- )  to the northern part of San Diego County in California..  As much as i have enjoyed the opportunity to explore this part of the Sonoran desert since moving here, found out i can't tolerate the heat during the summer.. Tough on a lot of stuff i grow ( ..and was growing ) as well..  Regardless, Tucson ( ..and the rest of Southern AZ, New Mexico / Texas ) are only an 8-14 hour drive from where i'll be, so i'll definitely be back to explore more / explore other areas i haven't made trips to yet.

On a side note, when you get a chance, take a look over a place called Alamos, across the border in southern Sonora Mexico.. That part of the overall region is where the dry tropics meet the desert..  Get a lot more rain then up this way during the summer Monsoon season so the landscape turns into a bright green Jungle that time of year / into the Fall.  Beautiful town and great international travel destination from what i have heard.  On my " As soon as i have the money to go there"  list and the COVID situation is more under control in both countries.