The Emerald Desert, Pt. #1

[Silas_Sancona]

As vaguely alluded to in another thread, made my way to one of a few spots i have visited in the past few years here to see what kind of magic this years Monsoon has bestowed upon a thirsty landscape.  This will be the first of a few planned threads from different spots around the area / Tucson, and a quick trip planned into another part of the state i haven't set eyes on yet, closer to the Mexico Border.

As noted in the " Monsoon 2021 " thread, unlike the past two horrible years, this summer has seen a pretty good turn around, esp. the further south / southeast one heads when it comes to summer rainfall. Hopefully the finish, to the season, is the much needed " icing on the cake ". While a year like this does not cancel out the ongoing drought, it has helped keep a bad situation from getting any worse / given the land a break, for now at least..

This mornings trip was not only to see what warm season stuff might be in bloom, but also to get an idea of how the Telegraph Fire, which raged near and through this area effected the landscape / plants there. While this particular spot did not see near the severity of burn areas to the east of Superior did, it was still concerning enough that the fire reached into stands of Saguaro / other Cacti in this location, regardless..

While you really had to look to tell, one could see where the fire skipped around the hillsides out here, except in one location located on the southwestern flank of Picketpost Mountain i did not walk out to.  Aside from that area, rest of this location looked pretty good.. clothed in a magic coat of Monsoon Emerald Green..  While i don't think the mountains here, or just to the north have seen near as much rainfall yet as areas further south, it is amazing how much the landscape has changed, from the last time i was here in the spring, on what has fallen so far.  Queen Creek / Arnett Wash / other smaller washes on this side of the mountain were dry, but looked like some water had run through them so far this year.

Time to enjoy some magical landscapes..  As much as i was hoping to be back in California by now, appreciating the summer delay.. I'd hoped to see the desert during a " good " monsoon year.. Think i got my wish.  If areas to the south look as good in person, as they do in pictures i've seen, i might have a moment..  Seeing the Catalinas from a distance during the last good summer season while passing through Tucson, bathed in morning sun, was magical enough.  Only draw back today was the bright cloud cover that washed things out a bit.

Picketpost Mountain Access Area, near Boyce Thompson Arboretum ...and Superior, Arizona..

The drive in, looking down upon Superior and Apache Leap..


As i arrive, and soak it all in..
















View looking east into Arnett Canyon / top of Apache Leap.. Did not venture down into the Canyon this time ( Were Thunderstorms in the area that tried to develop showers over the peaks here.










Southwestern lower flank of Picketpost where the effect of the Telegraph Fire, in this area at least, is most visibly apparent.


Headed out








Apache Leap..


Intersection of the road leading to the Access area ( to Picketpost ) and the U.S. 60.


Headed west over the Gonzales Pass, back toward Phoenix, and the rest of the valley..




Dromedary Peak.  First little " mountain " you see as you round the curve  near where the 60 and Hwy 79 intersect, and head east toward Picketpost, Superior, and Boyce along the U.S. 60.





 

[Butch]

Very "Green" for the desert.. And beautiful...

Butch

[Silas_Sancona]

22 hours ago, Butch said:

Very "Green" for the desert.. And beautiful...

Butch

Here's a video from down in Tucson yesterday.. 

***Credit to Russ Mcspadden***  He has several other vids. from around the area taken through the season as well.

Not 100% sure of the location ..Possibly along the Canada Del Oro ( " CDO ",  as most locals call it.  ) near Catalina State Park, on the far northern outskirts of Tucson and the Catalina Mountains.  Can't wait to view these scenes w/ my own eyes.
 

 

[Butch]

20 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Here's a video from down in Tucson yesterday.. 

***Credit to Russ Mcspadden***  He has several other vids. from around the area taken through the season as well.

Not 100% sure of the location ..Possibly along the Canada Del Oro ( " CDO ",  as most locals call it.  ) near Catalina State Park, on the far northern outskirts of Tucson and the Catalina Mountains.  Can't wait to view these scenes w/ my own eyes.
 

 

Very nice vid... Thanks for the post...

Butch