Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
military planes here, of no use at the present but which might fly or be used for parts
in the future. See Nearby Attractions for more details.
As you climb toward 4,000 feet elevation, you'll pass through thick stands of oco-
tillo (
Fouquieria splendens
), one of my favorite desert plants. For much of the year
they look like bare, dead, thorny sticks reaching 20 feet tall, but after rains they sprout
short-lived small green leaves along the stems. In dry months, the leaves are shed and
the cycle can repeat itself during the year. Ocotillos have bright-red clusters of sweet
tubular flowers at the tips of the sticks from March through early summer, swaying
colorfully in spring breezes and attracting hummingbirds, orioles, and carpenter bees.
Traditionally, the stems have been planted to make impenetrable fences and some-
times have been used as support for mud-daubed walls and shade ramadas. Some of
the largest plants can live as long as 100 years.
Just over a mile into the hike, after climbing steadily, the clear trail flattens out
for about 100 yards and then climbs through a few rock slabs where the path is not
obvious—look for cairns to guide you through the bare spots. As you climb the ridge,
you'll find many more sections where you'll need to keep your eyes open for cairns.
Meanwhile, you can now admire the views of the Catalinas to the north and the Santa
Ritas to the south. Southern Arizona's highest peak, Mount Wrightson, is the upper-
most point, roughly in the middle of the Santa Ritas, and if you follow the view of the
range to the right, the westernmost peak is Elephant Head. With a tiny dose of ima-
gination, you can see how that peak got its name.
At around 4,300 feet elevation, roughly 2 miles into the hike, you'll notice a
sudden change in vegetation: The cacti and ocotillo disappear, and you're walking
through open grasslands. The trail is narrow but clear and ascends gently, with a few
flattish stretches. Occasional bushes and small trees attract birds, making these grass-
lands far from monotonous, but the trail lacks obvious landmarks such as creek cross-
ings or signposts.
Roughly 4 miles into the hike, at about 5,300 feet elevation, comes the first of
several small but noticeable drops in the trail, and the going gets harder. Bordered
by small but viciously sharp agave plants, the path becomes indistinct, though little
cairns come through as guides. Bushes and small trees such as oaks, junipers, mad-
rones, and pines start becoming a more important part of the landscape.
