Blackett's Ridge Trail

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 13 and March 15, 2014

Last Thursday, Joe and I headed out for our first hike in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Our first hike was a short 6.2 (Duh, what were we thinking?) miles. We got off to a rather late start as it was already 10:30 when we arrived at the park. Not the usual start time for us!

First part, Bear Canyon Trail...

This trail begins at the far side of the parking lot...we took the wide dirt track until it ended. We made a right turn onto the pavement and another right turn at the restrooms.

A short distance from the restrooms is a bridge...of course we stopped to see the fishes.

At the far side of the bridge, there is another road intersection. We took the Phoneline Trail (a dirt trail) which was directly opposite us at this T shaped juncture.

Second part, Phoneline Trail...

 From here we continued on enjoying the sights, the colors and the sounds...mostly beautiful bird songs with an occasional grunt (that would be us) or two thrown in. 

We considered the next .4 miles to be a medium grade...slow and steady.





Our views changed...

 The Mexican Poppies were in full bloom...

And oh my...the saguaros have buds!

By this time, we were hot and pooped. So I am confessing that when we came to the right turn onto Blackett's Ridge Trail, we decided to call it a day. It was mid-day and  if we turned around here it would make for a nice little 2.8 mile hike, so why not ?

 

On Saturday morning...bright and early, we returned to finish our hike. This time we were on the trail by 8:30! We retraced the 1.4 miles done on Thursday...no tram for us!

 

 

Last part of the hike...

Blackett's Ridge is the ridge that divides Sabino and Bear Canyons. Its a beautiful trail that climbs uphill twisting thru the saguaro, ocotillo and palo verde trees.

Much of the trail was very rocky...

Once the trail reaches the ridge line, its not so steep. Up here, the vegetation is desert grass.

 We made it! What a thrill! What a view!

 More than once we thought we had reached the summit...it looked as if the end were just ahead. But each time the trail kept going.  We knew we reached the end when we came to a huge drop off and couldn't go any farther. The summit offers incredible views. There were sheer drops on all sides of us.

 

We agree this is a must do hike. For an easy to slightly moderate workout, the 2.8 mile roundtrip hike up to Blackett's Ridge trailhead is fun. It was during that part of the hike we saw the roadrunner on the rock. Blackett's Ridge Trail offers a more challenging workout if you choose to continue on to the summit, a 6.2 mile roundtrip hike. 

 

Until next time, take care and...

enjoy!

My First (and Second) Roadrunner!

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 13, 2014

Yesterday, Joe and I had ourselves a grand time outdoors. Our first choice for a hike was the shortest hike on our list in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Blackett's Ridge is sandwiched between Sabino and Bear Canyon and is 6.2 miles round trip. I am saving that post as I was and still am so excited about seeing not only one, but two roadrunners yesterday...I could hardly wait to share!

Thanks to Pam (Oh, the Places They Go!) and MonaLiza (The Lowe's RV adventures) we are never lacking in great places to hike wherever we park...it seems they have already been there...thanks for sharing! Sabino Canyon RA has many...and I do mean lots of trails... and Joe and I will be (the good Lord willing) exploring them all! Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a next door neighbor who grew up here, has family here, and returns here every year to give you suggestions of places to explore too...thanks Randy!

This beautiful bird was amazing! We enjoyed at least 15 minutes of the best roadrunner entertainment EVER...at least for us! According to allaboutbirds.org roadrunners are born to run and can outrace most humans. I sure was glad this guy was taking a break. They can reach two feet from bill to the tip of their tail.

Joe spotted this beauty as we were heading back down the ridge... several people stopped, we all chatted and did the WOW!s. I was determined I would not be the first to leave. He wasn't spooked, that's for sure.

 

He finally jumped off behind the boulder he was on and we continued on our way...with a huge smile, an exuberant feeling that all is good, and anticipation of what kind of pictures we had.

 

The last part of the hike is a wide path that takes you back to the visitor center or parking lot...low and behold...roadrunner #2!

 

Life is good...until next time,

 

enjoy!

 

Up next...our first hike at Sabino Canyon.