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| Samaniego Ridge Pines, AZ | |
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| | Samaniego Ridge Pines, AZ | | | |
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Samaniego Ridge Pines, AZ
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| Hiking | 10.30 Miles |
2,980 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.30 Miles | 7 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.58 mph |
| 2,980 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | A hot day escape to the Catalinas. Very nice. Despite high winds being forecast, on the hike it was great and never a problem. It was very windy on the ridge at the Alder Picnic area while grilling, but we had a fire. Oak and mesquite this time, and the oak made my steak taste a lot better than just mesquite, which was curious.
We started at the Mint Springs Trailhead and took the "N Miner's Ridge Road" that ascends the slope north of the trailhead and connects to the top of Radio Ridge. It is steep, but an excellent access road. Great views along it and a chance to see forest regeneration following the 2003 Aspen Fire that was not burned by the 2020 Bighorn.
From Radio Ridge we continued to the paved road, then took the Mount Lemmon Trail down to the Sutherland, and continued out past the junction where the Sutherland is marked as being unmaintained (and it shows despite some obvious use). We then hike a small section of the Samaniengo Ridge out into a park of Arizona Pines (4 and 5 leaves per fascicle yellow pines most confuse for Ponderosa) that Preston had camped in back in 2019 and had wanted to inspect post fire, and which is basically where the Canada Del Oro trail leaves from the Samaniengo Ridge. Preston inspected the remains of Shovel Springs, while Mike and I relaxed in the pines eating lunch.
All in all a great hike. The pine grove is in good shape post fire, but it could stand a refresher in a few years. Unlikely it will get it. There are lots of 1 year old seedlings germinating under the canopy, but those will probably die before they do much. Arizona Pine is not a 2-tier or advanced regeneration species. The trails are good except for the a thorny shrub which I think Preston called Buck or Buckthorn Bush, and a lot of NM Locust, and is found on the lower section of the Sutherland before the Samaniengo.
The water at Quartzite Spring is always a great spot. Hummingbirds frequent that ridge in summer, and it is probably one of the nicest areas in Arizona. Certainly for the effort required to get there. Soon, the Penstemon will flower attracting more of them. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Quartzite Spring |
Gallon + per minute |
Gallon + per minute |
| | | A new black plastic box has been installed under the pipe creating a nice pool for wildlife and dogs. The slope is likely too steep for stock to access. Water was great, as always. I drank it unfiltered. | | _____________________
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