Tucson 4/20-4/26

[Jim]

Headed back down to Tucson. I'll stay at the park at least park of the time. Hiking days from late on the 20th to the 25th. No time to hike on the 26th, and I want to drive the Coronado Trail home.

[azbackpackr]

Tucosn?

Gotcha!

[Jim]

Yeah, good catch. I didn't notice that. The forecast for next Saturday is sunny and 80. Man, that would be awesome to experince after the weather up here this week, but also in general. I hope that holds true, and through to Monday, at least.

[nikorock28]

I've been wanting to do the Window and Pusch Peak, so I might decide to join you, but it will most likely be a last minute decision depending what goes on this week. Do you plan on starting in the morning? I like starting later, especially if it will be Ventana, Kimball, etc. that doesn't require a full day.

[Jim]

Not too early, probably around 10 am or so. Also, I am trying to get off on the 14th, so I'll have another day off. Hopefully. Weather after Friday looks fantastic.

[Jim]

While I really like Catalina SP, this is their peak season, for snowbirds, tourist campers, whatever, and they are booked up for the most part. Besides, it's still cold at night and after the sun goes down, it also gets dark pretty early and the temp falls off very fast from the cold air coming down from Romero Canyon. I plan to go back to Tucson either in mid to late April, or early May, so I can camp then, when the days are longer, the air hot, and the park not as full, or near empty. So, I used a name my own price feature and got a room for 4 nights at the TownePlace Suites Tucson Williams Centre, some sort of a Marriott hotel. It's also the newest hotel in town, so I'm thrilled. Plus, their rooms all have kitchens, so I can cook a healthy meal without going out or spending a lot of money. Shatner would have wanted it this way!

Don't know about lodging for Tuesday night, but I don't plan to bring camping gear, so a room somewhere nearby is likely, but I may move towards the Valley or Casa Grande and "camp" in one of that areas primitive lodgings.

I'll camp when it actually gets warm and the park thins out in a month or so.

[nikorock28]

I am really tempted because there are so many hikes I want to do in Tucson, but I was just down there (no hiking) so I think I will opt to making day trips to Sedona instead. One of these days (more likely years), I will get some hiking in in the Catalinas. I have to do the CSP to Mt. Lemmon in the future. Congrats on the hotel.

[Jim]

Thats fine. I'll have internet, so on the off chance someone wants to hike, they can post here. My plan is Ventana to the Window on Saturday, Pontatoc Ridge on Sunday, Pima Canyon to Pima Saddle or Mt Kimball on Monday, and Pusch Peak on Tuesday.


Update:
My feet, of all things, are pretty sore in the skin from coming down so fast and so much over the last 2 days. I am unsure if I will be able to hike to Kimball on Monday, so will likely skip Pusch Peak and do Kimball on Tuesday. Unless my feet are fine tomorrow in which case I will stick with my original plan.

[Jim]

So, if I go to the Phoenix area in a few weeks, what are some good hiking ideas that people recommend? Better to camp or stay in a room? Anyone interested in a hike at that time? Best to just go to the Supes?

I'll head back to Tucson between 4/20 and 5/20, and am thinking of Romero Canyon to the Pass and up to the creeks in the Wilderness of Rocks. Probably something else, too. Maybe Pusch Peak, or not, and possibly Thimble Peak. I think that is the highest in the Pusch Ridge.

[Tough_Boots]

Hit the Supes or the Mazzies while you're up here. If you need a partner, let me know!

[Jim]

Can doooo!


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I'm a recycler, so thought I would reuse the thread for my next Tucson trip.

[cactuscat]

How many days are you planning on spending there? Weekend or during the week?

[azbackpackr]

Jim, there's an error on the top of the page, it says "Romeo Canyon." I looked it up on the HAZ list, and there IS a Romeo Canyon, somewhere else in the state. But you'd want Romero Canyon. Presumably also sans Juliet.

[Jim]

I should be in Tucson from late on the 20th to the 26th. Also, the listed trails arr just potential ideas. I basically have 2 goals for longer hiking days, of >10 miles and over 4000' of AEG. Maybe another easier day, or not, but some time just being in a town with options is a nice thing, too.

[Jim]

On the off chance someone wants to hike, I am doing a loop with the Wilderness of Rocks, the Mount Lemmon Trail, the Aspen Trail, The Meadow Trail, and maybe the Lemmon Rock trail, on Tuesday the 24th.