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Blue Jay Ridge Loop
13 Photosets

2023-09-27  
2022-07-10  
2018-06-10  
2018-05-26  
2018-05-26  
2017-08-27  
2015-07-11  
2015-07-11  
2015-07-11  
2008-09-20  
2008-09-20  
2008-09-20  
2006-09-16  
mini location map2008-09-20
20 by photographer avatarPrestonSands
photographer avatar
page 1   2
 
Blue Jay Ridge LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking7.00 Miles 2,271 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   5 Hrs   19 Mns   1.32 mph
2,271 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
allen fraley
fricknaley
Jeffshadows
An outstanding adventure with Nick, Jeff, and Allen. After a long and bumpy ride into great beautiful nowhere, we arrived at the Turkey Spring trailhead in crisp, late summer coolness. Then it was off into shady, north face forest. I was amazed at the little things I had forgotten or just hadn't noticed on my first hike. Like the bigtooth maple grove and how much this hike rocked! We had lunch on a rocky knoll above the saddle on Blue Jay Ridge, where Jeff was attacked by an angry catepillar, and I sat on a cactus. We ran into another group at this point :o which was a shock in such an isolated place. Later, we veered off trail a couple of times near the summit of point 8529', where we discovered jaw dropping views from rocky overlooks. On top of the mountain, we entered into a wonderland of deep ferns, open parks, and seemingly endless wildflowers. Benign cumulus clouds added interest to the sky, and a cool breeze blew as we walked through this slice of Heaven. All too soon the wildflower garden was passed, and we turned downhill into the tall firs to return to the truck on FR 286. The drive home was filled with a sense of satisfaction and the decision to return to this special place more often. :)

FYI: the "Turkey Spring" sign at the trailhead is gone...
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial

dry Turkey Spring Dry Dry
Spring was in disrepair, but soil was slightly moist. Don't count on any water from this one!
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
  1 archive
HAZ Member
PrestonSands'
501 Photosets

  2008-12-16
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  2008-12-10
  2008-11-12
  2008-11-03
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  2008-10-27
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