jrc28's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Nov 01 2025

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Dutch John Trail #91

Tucson, AZ

Dutch John Trail #91

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 01 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	2.45 Miles	936 AEG

Hiking	2.45 Miles	1 Hour 31 Mns	1.77 mph
	936 ft AEG	8 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

Linked

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Partners

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I’ve been needing a weekend away from town for a few weeks now and so have the girls.
Got a late Saturday morning start after getting dog food and fueling up, crossed my fingers and headed to Bog Springs Campground in the Madera Canyon area.
There were only two spots open, and it was hard to tell they were even campsites on the initial drive around the loop. We did a second go-around and nabbed a lovely little spot and set up camp.
I had hoped to do a 5 mile loop but it was noon and warm in the sun, so we opted for Dutch John trail instead. A mile up, a mile back, sounds easy enough.
And it was. What a bitchin’ little trail. It felt good to get the lungs working and the heart beating a little bit. It was toasty for the dogs and a bit steeper than I would want for Pug and the Old Girl with the heat. But we took our sweet old time on the way up and enjoyed the fall colors of the sycamores in the canyon. On the way back, we stopped on a large rock and took a little break, classic Pug move. Aside from some white-tailed deer and a chonky lizard, no notable wildlife.
No water in the metal trough but some stagnant pool below the seep at the actual site of the spring.
A delightful jaunt.

Sep 14 2025

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Oracle Ridge - Red Ridge Loop

Tucson, AZ

Oracle Ridge - Red Ridge Loop

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 14 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	8.86 Miles	2,689 AEG

Hiking	8.86 Miles	4 Hrs 38 Mns	1.98 mph
	2,689 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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Started a little later than I wanted to, but still got to the trailhead right around 8 am. To my surprise, there was another vehicle parked and one pulled up as I was getting situated.

Not too far from the trailhead, I encountered a two-man team doing some trail work and thanked them for their service. They commented on what a perfect day it was for the loop and I agreed.
The temperatures were cool and it was overcast to start.

I swear I read the description, but somehow between the night before and the morning of, everything I read vanished from my brain. Instead of road walking to start and heading down Oracle Ridge, I descended Red Ridge.

The descent down Red Ridge was smooth with gorgeous views. I would check my altitude every now and then and chuckle about how much more I had left to go. Looking across the canyon, I saw the trail I would later ascend and had another good laugh to myself. Made it to the bottom pretty quickly but I was in no rush.
There was no flowing water in the creek, but there were a few stagnant pools. I introduced myself and crossed to scope out the campsites and snack a little bit. After a few minutes, I continued on the Catalina Camp Trail.
Before emerging from the riparian area, I heard a few animal noises but never saw the culprit. The climb was steady and I found a good rhythm, again loving the views all around.
The fun ended when I hit the Oracle Ridge road, I mean trail. There’s just something soul-sucking about that dirt road and I totally understand why everyone starts with that. The few bits of trail interspersed were lovely and a welcome break from the fresh, dull hell of that road.
I’ll blame my annoyance for my slow pace at the end. The saving grace of that ascent was all of the incredible wildflowers. Wow. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a varied repertoire of wildflowers! What a treat.
Anyway, I made it out only to have to slog back up the paved road to the car. I finished and wanted to grab a burger at Sawmill Run, but I wanted to get home to the dogs more.
All in all, a beautiful, much needed day out.

1 archive

Jul 21 2025

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Bridal Wreath Falls Loop

Tucson, AZ

Bridal Wreath Falls Loop

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 21 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	7.92 Miles	1,310 AEG

Hiking	7.92 Miles	3 Hrs 22 Mns	2.40 mph
	1,310 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

no routes

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A hike to clear the soul. I’m out near Saguaro east for a few days so I thought I would check out some hiking. The falls in Tanque Verde canyon were flowing after some recent rain so I had hope that I might catch some water at Bridal Wreath Falls. With storms forecast for 11 am, I got an early start on the Bridal Wreath Falls loop starting at Douglas Sprint TH.This was my first time in any part of Saguaro NP and it did not disappoint.
The trail construction on Douglas Spring was superb. The incline was steady but the views were great and the terrain was easy. I made it to the falls quickly and was delighted to find a trickle of water at the falls. There were some stagnant pools along the trail in the canyons and washes, more than I expected. After standing under the trickle for a few seconds, I looked for a snack in my pack and realized I didn’t bring one. Out I went. The way back to the parking lot, I took Three Tank trail, maybe Carillo, Wild Horse, and Garwood. I adored the stretch of Three Tank trail, it really reminded me of the western Supes and had me feeling a tad nostalgic but also excited to see more in Saguaro.
At one point, I got very in my head and started looping things that have been on my mind, as I do. I heard a twig snap to my left and it startled me back into the present. A deer leapt in front of me and across the trail. It startled me so much I had goosebumps all over my body. A good reminder to stay present. Also caught some cottontails and one very sad dead gopher snake, maybe a hooded oriole.
All in all, an incredible day out. I can’t wait to check out Douglas Spring campground in the fall.

Jul 05 2025

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Sunset Trail #90 - Catalina

Tucson, AZ

Sunset Trail #90 - Catalina

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 05 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	2.98 Miles	756 AEG

Hiking	2.98 Miles	1 Hour 41 Mns	1.94 mph
	756 ft AEG	9 Mns Break

no routes

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Up on Lemmon to escape the fireworks and celebrate the guy’s birthday. While he was out guiding, I decided to take the ladies for a stroll on the Sunset Trail, again attempting to outrun any afternoon storms. We got a later start than I wanted but there was still room to park at the trailhead. I leashed them up, looked at the sign, stowed my gps, and off I went… the wrong way.
I’m an idiot. I’ve climbed at Raycreation a few times and am familiar with the approach, why didn’t I just go that way? Well… the sign really made it look like I was at the actual trailhead. I wasn’t. I passed a backpacker and 2 mountain bikers on whatever pathway I was following which instilled some sense of false confidence. Once it got a little weird and overgrown, I pulled out my gps.
The track was a little off but not much so we kept following a path along a dry stream bed, behind some cabins. I didn’t like it, so we hiked out of that drainage and found the actual trail.
Cruiser. Gorgeous views, lovely tread, but I felt so stupid and had trouble enjoying it. We’ve been in the area before to let the girls swim in some big pools, but all those pools held was a bit of stagnant water. Once we approached the picnic area at Marshall Gulch, we started crossing a lot of parties so we turned around to avoid more crowds.
Despite the temperatures being quite nice, the hike up and out was a little toasty for the ladies. I kept all three of them leashed and they tangled themselves the entire way. We stopped for water and I apologized to them for getting so annoyed. We finished on the actual trail and I kicked myself for not recognizing the way initially.
No photos despite a beautiful day and incredibly scenic views. I’ll come back sans doggos and with my newly gained knowledge.

Jul 02 2025

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Aspen Trail #93

Tucson, AZ

Aspen Trail #93

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 02 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	3.70 Miles	1,800 AEG

Hiking	3.70 Miles	1 Hour 55 Mns	1.96 mph
	1,800 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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Zooey and I set out for a solo day on Mount Lemmon. Our intention was to go for a nice little jaunt on the Aspen-Marshall Gulch loop before the storms settled over the mountain, forecasted for 11 am. I’m pretty sure we’ve done it before starting on Marshall Gulch, maybe last year.
I decided to start on Aspen. I immediately remembered it and remembered why we came down it last time. It was steep and steadily worked its way up right out of the gate. The tree coverage was lovely and the air temperature was great but the moments of direct sunlight were pretty toasty. Zooey and I hydrated consistently.
We crossed one other party as we worked our way through the burn area, now lush with ferns. A little boy alerted us to “lots of bees” ahead and his grown up made sure to mention they were only busy pollinating. Worth noting: the penstemon is all over the higher elevations on Lemmon right now! We saw a few other little wildflowers along the way too.
About a quarter mile from the big junction linking to Marshall Gulch, truly at the halfway point, a massive dark cloud materialized overhead.
It looked like it was sitting right over the path ahead so I decided to turn around and head back the way we came as to avoid getting caught in an early, unexpected thunderstorm.
I find myself in these situations often, bailing from trips because of weather. Part of me hates myself for it and the other part knows it’s not a bad thing. We would have been fine had we continued with the loop, though I would have been an anxious mess. Instead of walking into that stress, I backtracked into disappointment and feeling like a bit of a wimp like always.
Same number of miles, does it actually matter? Those trails will be there for another day. I will be here waiting.
Zooey had a great time and loved getting to be the only pup out for the day. The moments of cool breeze really had her acting like a puppy again. We really needed the one-on-one time.
It started sprinkling as we finished up. I stopped by the general store for some coffee and fudge.
The rain might have changed my plans but I am so, so grateful for it.

Wildflowers Observation Light
Penstemon, wild geranium, evening primrose?

Jun 15 2025

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Jesus Babcock Trail #321

Tucson, AZ

Jesus Babcock Trail #321

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 15 2025
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	2.00 Miles	583 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles	1 Hour 24 Mns	2.18 mph
	583 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Moved to Tucson in May. Spending the summer in the sky islands. Flat tire on the drive up. We came to Riggs Flat Lake so he could fly fish and I downloaded a few gps tracks for some short hikes to do with the Pug, 11 year old Zo, and Quinnie in the sun.

We stayed at Riggs campground so I decided to do the Jesus Babcock trail. Maybe it was my gps just being off, but the track seemed to follow a canyon full of ferns and vegetation to start. Not a trail. Don’t be like me. Look for the obvious trail, follow your instinct. The trail is higher and to the left of the gully. We finished on the trail. It was a little toasty for the Pug so we cut the short hike shorter and headed back after taking some time to orient ourselves and identify Lemmon and the Galiuros.

The trail was ok… nothing to write home about really, except for the views and the quartz.

We had 4 collective bear sightings on this trip, along with 2 bald eagles around the lake.

Probably will come back to the campground because of the nice infrastructure… but in spite of the other patrons, who really stunk up the trip (noisy, washing themselves, washing their dishes, cleaning their fish in the only potable water spigot right below our site). However, they all cleared up early on Sunday leaving us with a peaceful final night at the campground.

Sep 29 2024

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Mt. Lemmon Summit, AZ

Hiking		Sep 29 2024
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	5.72 Miles	1,551 AEG

Hiking	5.72 Miles	4 Hrs 48 Mns	1.56 mph
	1,551 ft AEG	1 Hour 8 Mns Break

Linked

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Mint Spring Trail #20

Aspen Trail #93

Aspen Draw Trail #423

Partners

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no partners

Several ideas were suggested. This original idea was supposed to be along an “old jeep road.” Maybe the road existed. Maybe it didn’t. Maybe we missed the actual road. We definitely didn’t reference a map. We saw the summit and went that way.
We started on the Mint Spring Trail. About 0.8 of a mile in, halfway to the big junction with Aspen, Marshall Gulch, Wilderness of Rocks, we took a right. There appeared to be a path and there appeared to be a quasi-cairn. We proceeded with 3 dogs in tow.
The path worked steadily up a ridge but eventually became so overgrown with New Mexican Locust trees that we had to reassess.
Reassess meant find the path of least resistance and continue on. We traversed through an old burn area with no vegetation, lots of large, loose rocks, and dusty soil sliding beneath each step.
At this point, I put Pug in her carrier and strapped her to my back. We made it over to a slight ravine. Worked our way to a gentle entry point and over to the next ridge.
We continued up a game trail until it became so choked with locust that we, again, had to reevaluate. We went around the wall of thorns and into some pine and aspen. Up and over and under and through deadfall. No trail whatsoever. Worked through one last locust grove and made it over to the official Aspen Trail.
We hiked to the summit, took a small break to drink the remainder of our water. Everyone loves seeing Pug in her carrier. I almost made it the whole way up with her on my back, but she’s a chonk so I had to switch out.
We let her walk on the way back and she cruised down the Aspen Draw Trail.
It was shaded the entire way. Eventually we took the Turkey Run Trail, which led us back to Summerhaven.
We finished with a stop to the general store for pickles and cokes and to compare battle wounds.
Solid type 2 day.

Note to self: “old jeep road” is code for sufferfest.

Sep 15 2024

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

91524 Marshall Gulch Aspin Loop, AZ

Hiking		Sep 15 2024
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	4.30 Miles	1,017 AEG

Hiking	4.30 Miles	2 Hrs 12 Mns	2.13 mph
	1,017 ft AEG	11 Mns Break

Linked

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A delightful little jaunt on a new-to-me trail.
Fall colors are starting to appear on Lemmon.
Pug made it most of the way, carried her the last 10 minutes.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Pusch Ridge Wilderness

May 30 2022

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Weatherford Canyon Loop

Flagstaff, AZ

Weatherford Canyon Loop

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 30 2022
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	4.68 Miles	1,006 AEG

Hiking	4.68 Miles	2 Hrs	2.38 mph
	1,006 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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My partner had a friend passing through town who wanted to hike. Given specific mileage and elevation parameters, I found this little gem!
It’s been years since I’ve hiked Weatherford, but it felt familiar.

We started after 4:15 pm (I guess some people still have to work in the summer

) The side trail had some fun obstacles for the pups in the form of fallen trees. Obviously, it receives far less usage, but was still easy to follow. My expectations were exceeded as we made our way through the aspen groves. We got back to the main trail and quickly made it to the parking lot. After a short ride into town, we said our goodbyes and the dude and I closed out the day with Diablo Burger, as one does.

May 26 2022

jrc28

Routes 13
Photos 25
Triplogs 13

35 female

Joined Sep 28 2018

Old Caves Crater Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Old Caves Crater Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 26 2022
		jrc28 • Triplogs 13

Hiking	2.40 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	2.40 Miles	51 Mns	3.35 mph
	500 ft AEG	8 Mns Break

no routes

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I’m spending a large portion of my summer vacation in Flagstaff this year. After about a week of my body fighting off some unknown virus causing swollen lymph nodes and general fatigue, I finally felt well enough to attempt an easy hike.
The Old Caves Crater trailhead is a mile from where I am staying, so off I went. It was a nice little jaunt up to the top. Nothing remarkable, but not disappointing. Started around 9 am and had an appointment at 11, so I rushed through it a bit.

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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