Cienega Creek Marsh Station Rd to I - 10 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Nov 30 2020

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Gabe Zimmerman Loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 30 2020
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	5.13 Miles	399 AEG

Hiking	5.13 Miles	2 Hrs 18 Mns	2.25 mph
	399 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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Cienega Creek Marsh Station Rd to I - 10

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mamakatt22

Seems since I got back to Tucson I have been busy with no time for a hike with a little meat but I have had time to squeeze in some short ones and they have been quite enjoyable. This hike from the Gabe Zimmerman Trail Head to I-10, portion of AZT 7, I have done before but the twist was to return along Davidson Canyon. I picked this one because I wanted to checkout the Rattlesnake art on the I-10 trail tunnel.

The portion of the AZT 7 we walked on was in excellent condition with good views along the trail of Davidson Canyon and the Whetstones and Empire Mountains to the South. Cienega Creek views are in your rear view with the Rincons just beyond. the Rattlesnake art on the tunnel at I-10 is worth the 1.5 mile hike tp see. Rather than return the way we came we took Davidson Canyon back to the start point. This required a .3 mile walk along a Gas line pipe road to Davidson Canyon. This return route is actually the AZT horse bypass route (horses don't fit through the trail tunnel under I-10). Rather than follow the horse trail we stayed in the Canyon bed all the way back to Cienega Creek. This portion of the hike was not real exciting but It had its interesting parts, especially geology.

Once back to Cienega Creek we wondered up stream and eventually stopped and watched the trains. We returned to our start point just at sun set. I have never seen Cienega creek dry so this was a first.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Red-tailed Hawk

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Feb 27 2020

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Cienega Creek Pantano Station to I - 10, AZ

Hiking		Feb 27 2020
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	5.62 Miles	190 AEG

Hiking	5.62 Miles	2 Hrs 9 Mns		2.93 mph
	190 ft AEG	14 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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Cienega Creek Marsh Station Rd to I - 10

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Last Tuesday I hiked along Cienega Creek from the Gabe Zimmerman Trail Head on the Arizona Trail and went upstream to Pantano Station. Today I went out to finish up the last little section to Interstate 10. Started at Pantano station and went the approximate 1.5 mile to the interstate. The creek is dry all along this section. The community of Pantano in 1880 was on the south side of the creek at that time along with the train track. In 1887 the town along with the track were moved to the north side due to flooding. Nothing remains of this town except a few foundations and a cemetery. When I reached interstate 10 I felt I hadn't walked enough so I continued on up stream toward the Empire Ranch for about a mile. Nothing really earth shattering along this section. On my return trip just north of I-10 Mescal Wash enters from the east, I went up that Wash a bit to check out the train bridge and the Marsh Station Road Bridge. On the return trip I tried to retrace the pre 1887 train route as it would of went before the flood. Only sporadic success on this endeavor though. I included a photo of Pantano station that was taken in 1880 along with one from 2000. Very interesting difference in the terrain. The 1880 photo is a Pre entrenchment photo. Around 1900 the washes and rivers in southern Arizona went through a period of entrenchment where the creeks and rivers cut deep channels into what use to be more like flood plains. They do not know why this occurred but they speculate. This photo is a good example of that. This also explains the 10 to 20 foot fine sediment cliffs along this creek and Pantano Wash and Santa Cruz River also (Common all over southern Arizona).

Today's hike and the ones I did before along Cienega Creek I found most interesting. Recent history, prior inhabitants and Recent Geology are all to found here. I was also thinking that Wyatt Earp passed through this town on the train with his brother on his way to California from Tombstone. Probably when the town was on the south side of the creek.

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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