Revisiting Tanque Verde Canyon
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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1d ago
With two children and a grandson visiting soon, I wanted to refresh my memory on how to navigate up canyon to the 80' falls.  I thought the 8 year old would enjoy this adventure. Lots of people were enjoying the sun and water as I descend off Redington Road. A healthy flow of water greets me.  I actually thought to bring water shoes with me so slip them on and stuff my hiking shoes and socks in my pack. Every visit, I'm struck by how huge is the bolder on the left side.  I have to cross the water several times to reach this point so glad I brought the alternative shoes. Che ..read more
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Our Winter Continues
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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3d ago
One more systems sweeps out of Southern California and deposits about 1/2" of rain on us as I visit Sabino Canyon for a hike.  So grateful that I have hiking as an alternative to cycling on days I deem unfit for riding (although there are plenty of cyclists out during my drive). The clouds are just beginning to break up. I pass the dam on Sabino Canyon Creek as I push up canyon.... ....looking for a place to cross.  All those boulders but none placed strategically close together to allow me to hop across.  I decide not to remove my shoes and socks so reverse course... ...he ..read more
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It's That Time of Year
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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3d ago
The bike touring companies can be found, most days, in front of La Buzz, getting ready to send their guests up Mount Lemmon.   On this day, I drove to Oro Valley and headed to Saddlebrook.  Love the mountains! Skiers are still finding enough snow on the north facing slope of Ski Valley, to make their runs ..read more
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Horsing Around
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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1w ago
Some one got a haircut!   I frequently include Woodland Road on my routes.  Many horse farms and with the winter rains, the grass is green. I paused at this fence and these two came over to investigate.  And than.... ....we received more rain along with mountain snow.   Driving to Oro Valley, the setting sun created a beautiful view of the western Catalinas as we... ....sat on the patio of Harvest Restaurant for dinner ..read more
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Hiking Through a Nudist Beach
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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2w ago
A day off the bike but still wanted to do something active so I drove out Redington Road, passed the trail that takes one to Lower Tanque Verde Falls and parked close to another trail bound for the Upper Falls.  The signage is pretty serious, including warnings for clothing optional. I descend into the canyon and face the usual very fun bouldering challenges as I go up canyon. There is still a nice flow of water so I may have some difficulty crossing where I need to cross. Whoa!  Impressive cairn. And there you have it, a warning about what is ahead. The upper falls and a gorge ..read more
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The Climb to Kitt Peak
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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3w ago
I arrive at a dirt parking lot and look at today's destination. What was I thinking, signing up for this!?!  I have not done a climb even remotely similar since last August and the "Climbing to the Sun Road" in Glacier. Thirty of us departed at 10am well, I left 10 minutes early.  I wanted to take a few pics as people passed me.  I had taken a short break at mile 6 of the 12 mile climb.  My legs felt pretty good, so far. The route is shown above.  The scenery is spectacular. At about mile 9, the distinctive Baboquivari Peak comes into view.  The average grade ..read more
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Spring Arrives!
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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3w ago
Some of the washes, like this one on Wentworth Rd, have taken a beating from the runoff. Obvious evidence on Tanque Verde Loop of vehicles having successfully made it through this wash, despite the barriers warning not to.  With serious snow melt set to begin.... ....we drove 21 miles up Mount Lemmon, stopping at Palisades where the snow was about 8' deep.  Jack had a blast chasing an orange ball, over and over. We got out on a short ride that included a pause to take a pic of a camel, at least its head. It was a beautiful, dry day except when crossing some runoff on Redington R ..read more
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OK, One More Bout of Rain/Snow
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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1M ago
Too cold or windy (for me) to ride so back to Sabino Canyon for a hike.  So grateful to have this and other nearby parks. It rained overnight.  Mount Wrightson's peak, peeks through a layer of clouds, in the distance. And now, the water is flowing over the previously dry bridge.  Lacking a hiking pole, I arranged for one of the above hikers to throw theirs over to me so I could use it to balance across the side of the bridge. Part of my route included the Creek Trail, a beautiful setting. Check out the mountain now! I participated in a group ride, observing all the area pe ..read more
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Has Our Rainy Winter Ended?
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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1M ago
While the forecast may say 90% chance of rain, almost always there are dry windows throughout the day so I drove to the end of Speedway, about 5 miles from our home and headed out. Looking to the northwest, from where the weather was coming I saw a partial rainbow partially obscured by a cloud burst.  Fantastic! I planned to head up the above ravine.  A fun collection of slick rock and obstacles but.... ....oh boy, rain is moving in fast. Late that afternoon, the snow had moved almost to the valley floor. The next morning, wet and snow on the front range of the Catalinas! I wa ..read more
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Riding & Hiking
Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
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1M ago
Another system moved through and dropped several inches of snow on the mountain.  The ski resort up there, the farther south one is located in the US, is doing booming business. I joined a group ride with a start temp of 52 degrees...brrrr.  We climbed to where the pavement ends on Redington Road and took a break, admiring the great views.  Finished with 37 miles, 1400' of climbing and a 17.3 average speed. Our morning view as the sun rises. The next couple of days were cloudy and cool so I headed to Sabino Canyon for  ....a loop hike that included part of the Phonelin ..read more
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