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| Hiking | 12.00 Miles |
4,522 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.00 Miles | 9 Hrs | | 1.33 mph |
| 4,522 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This was a little bit much just 2 days after Kimball from Pima Canyon, and more so with not really hiking for more than 2 weeks before that. There is a little water in Finger Rock, but you leave it very quickly and start the climb. Ordinarily I like that, but my legs were tired. Not just sore, but very tired. I had that about 5 years ago in Colorado and needed a rest day, and then the following day I was better and stronger. I guess I'm old enough to need 2 rest days. Anyway, it was a nice but hard hike to the top of Finger Rock, with the best part to come. It still seems a little early for most flowers, but there were a few out.
The highlights really came after the crest. Making my way over to the Ventana Trail junction, I knew I wasn't going to go to the Window. I still wanted to hike to the top of the ridge line, so I hiked the last few switchbacks adding in 360'. Almost to my turn around point, I ran in to Cindy. I recognized her face, and didn't notice her HAZ shirt until she pointed it out.
The grassy upper slopes are nice, but the oak filled canyon bottom and surprisingly heavy flowing creek in the desert riparian area was really great. You really don't even have to get that far up the trail to see the water, but the heavy flows are higher up. I stopped a number of times to soak my feet, listen to the water and birds, and enjoy the cool canyon shade in the late afternoon. If you want a low desert riparian area, Ventana Canyon is it. |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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