This March our little group decided to do a hike in Sabino Canyon, a treasured spot for hikers and visitors in Tucson. This unique place has tall saguaros, riparian areas, steep canyon walls and at times, water flowing through it.
Our group included Doris, us and Sandy and Jerry with 3 of their grandchildren. Since COVID was still around, masks were required, even in the parking lot! 
This recreation area was created during the Great Depression in the 1930's. The dam, bridges and concrete picnic tables were built, with most of them still standing. A few of the bridges have been washed away by flooding and have been rebuilt.
Our group headed out to the Bajada Loop Nature Trail.
Views towards the mountains revealed Mesquite trees with huge clumps of desert mistletoe clinging to their branches.
Further on, we transferred from a dirt path to a much wider, paved one. Doris even tried walking backwards but that didn't last long! We made it up the hill and from our vantage point could see Sabino Dam below us. Then we had to figure out just how to get there!
Here is a closer view of our destination. During the spring and summer months the dam usually has water flowing all the way across it. Deep pools of water fill the canyon, creating places to swim during hot summer days. It was one of my favorite places to visit when I was in grade school and high school.
Jerry managed to find a way down the hillside. The path was narrow, rocky and steep at times. Of course, the "young'uns" ambled across the rocks quite easily. 😂😂
Ainslie and Wyatt crossed one of the original bridges, which is no longer being used because part of the road behind this is completely washed out. During the 50's and 60's cars could drive all around the canyon and find a nice picnic table to eat at while enjoying the scenery. The picnic tables remain, but now you will have to pack your lunch in a backpack and walk a few miles to get to it!
I stopped to take a pic of the small stream as it meandered downstream from the dam.
Jerry and Sandy chose this same bridge to have their picture taken with Micah, Wyatt and Ainslie. It's a blessing to be able to hike with great nephews and a great niece.
After we crossed the bridged we had another hill to climb in order to get a closer view of the dam. There were two children actually sliding down the rocks in front of the dam. This is melted snow water people! Way, way too cold for me to even think about getting my tootsies in the water, much less getting my whole body wet!
It was warming up as we started to head back to the visitor center and parking lot.
Before I caught up with the rest of the crew I stopped to take one more picture of this beautiful area created by God in the middle of the desert.
No comments:
Post a Comment