This is a really tough shorter hike in the western Santa Ritas, untouched by the Florida Fire. It climbs a little over 4000 feet in 8 miles, so it's a good training hike too. I've always been impressed with the wildlife in the Santa Ritas and today was no exception. All sorts of birds, including my first elegant trogon sighting. I'll include pictures of it. What an amazing bird. I also saw more bear scat on the upper reaches of the Agua Caliente trail than I have ever seen around here, with the possible exception of the upper stretch of the Sutherland Trail when I climbed Mt. Lemmon. Did not see the actual bear though.

The fire last year was terrible, but Madera Canyon remains a special place here in Tucson.