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This is a story of how best thought-out plans can go awry.  The Bug Springs trail is listed as an alternate route on the AZT.  If you don't wish to hike up the Catalinas with a heavy backpack and camp for several days, you can do the alternate route made up of four segments of much shorter distance.  We already did the lowest portion, the Molino Trail several years ago, so it seemed time to do the next segment up.  Using a shuttle idea, we left my car at the Gordon Hirabayashi "Prison Camp" location, then drove Stan's car five miles up Mt. Lemmon Hwy to the Bug Springs trailhead.  The intent to hike downhill seemed like a good plan on this early September morning.  We gave little thought to just how hot it might get as we hiked on out of the forest and into the foothills

 

Hickman Bridge is just few miles into the Park.  The day is predicted to be hot, so an early start on a short trail that involves a steep climb is a good choice

The Cohab Canyon Trail begins with an immediate ascent of 440' straight up through the Moenkopi and Chinle Formations. The day is already warm at 8 a.m.  One step at a time!

 

It's always a good idea to take a photo of the trail map--just in case there's any confusion along the way.

The trail starts off straight uphill!

And then levels off to a lovely ramble into the forest.

I wish you could hear the variety of bird calls.

Not long into the hike, we start paralleling a stream.

Arizona Honeysuckle.

After crossing the stream a steep climb.

And a look back.  The first mile of the trail is simply beautiful with wildflowers and ferns.

Seep Monkeyflower grows all along the creek.

Follow Stan for more uphill.

After a while, we emerge into an open area which was burned by the Aspen Fire some years ago.  These trees are some of the survivors.  

Finally at the top of the rise, we come to a junction of several trails; Mint Spring, AZ Trail, and the Aspen Loop.  We'll take the Aspen Loop trail after having lunch on this convenient log.

The birds here are very comfortable around people and they're probably accustomed to gleaning crumbs from lunches.  Here, a little white-breasted nuthatch inspects our poles.

On our way to a very different portion of the trail.  From here, we get some long views all the way to the Santa Ritas.

And long hills, too.  Along the dry, seeming inhospitable margins of this trail were some of the sweetest, determined wildflowers.

Bluets

Richardson's geranium. 

The trail bends toward shady forest again as we start heading downhill back to the car.

The final stretch.

Stan was ahead of me a good deal of the time because I dawdle taking photos.  The lot was empty when we arrived early this morning.  I didn't mention that the road to the trailhead was closed and we needed to take a very twisty and hilly detour through Summerhaven's residential area.  On our way back through, we came upon just the perfect stop--

Two little girls, Grace and Ruthie, were selling chocolate chip cookies.  I bought two and we had the most delightful conversation.  A perfect end to a perfectly fun hike!

It was a very windy day.  There was a veil of dust, or smoke, we weren't quite sure as we drove into Cave Creek Canyon

Meet Molly and her dog Mojo.  And you already recognize Stan.

Because I am constantly taking photos, I usually lag behind.  This is a chilly morning and even the birds are just starting to o wake up. By the way, if it looks as though I tilted my cell phone camera, you'll notice that the trail is level along with Stan and Molly,  The trees seemed to be leaning toward the sun in this narrow canyon.

The first of several stream crossings.

It pays to look up now and then.  Part of the beauty of this trail are the towering cliffs and changing colors in the rock.

And now and then one needs to look behind.  As we crossed the creek once more, this scene was waiting to be noticed.

Sometimes narrow; sometimes broad and open, this is a fun trail.

One more stream crossing.  This is where the poles can come in handy.

My SEEK app identified this as Penny Cress.

New Mexican Groundsel

We reach a spot where we evaluate whether or not we want to get our boots wet on this cold morning.  

"The Bathtub" is a fine terminus to this trail.  

The hike back out is just as pretty.  Take your time and listen to the bird calls.  You may even meet a few birders on the way!

You've met friends Kathi and Dean in other hikes.  We're going to tackle Maiden Pools today.  The first part is fairly level, then the "fun" begins.

From the overflow parking lot, a spur trail takes us to the main trail.

I would love to know what happened to this little saguaro.

Early morning sun lights up the blossoms of a fairy duster.

Blackett's Ridge looms in the distance.

Merri and I are always intrigued with wildflowers.  This tiny lavender blossom caught our eye.  It's an Arizona Foldwing.

The trail takes a short dip into a wash.  It's particularly fragrant with that "desert smell" in this case, it is big-leaf bursage.  

The sun starts to peek over the ridge.

And the trail starts to climb

Merri is accustomed to the flatland of Florida, so this is a bit of a push.

And we're at the top with a great view into Sabino Canyon.

Good job!

And now a return to the lot with just a little surprise ahead.

Motion off to the right revealed two deer moving fast through the brush.  I had just enough time to get my cellphone out for this rather blurry pic.  

See you back at the car!

Not long after starting out on the trail, we cross under an overpass.  This will be a very welcome sight when we return!

Nice, cool morning--let's do a short hike in a beautiful canyon!

This hike requires two vehicles.  We drop our friend's truck at Lakeview Campground six miles away at the end of our hike.  Then we'll drive my Forester to Marshall Lake where we will get on the AZT. 

On this chilly morning, the sun is just coming up over Anderson Mesa.  Jackets and gloves are in order, however, we start out with a climb and they'll soon come off and get stored in your pack.

The oaks are putting on a beautiful golden display and  are even prettier backlit with morning sun.

You gotta wonder what happened to this one!

One of the highlights of this hike are all the gates we encounter.  Otherwise, it's pretty flat and just a little mundane.

This gate and fence protect a wildlife area.

Prime Lake (dry lake right now) is one of many that dot the top of Anderson Mesa providing important bird and wildlife habitat.

We pass by the observatories.

And encounter Michael who is out for a  ride to Mormon Lake--quite a distance away!

A little farther on, the trail turns southward, traveling along the edge of the Mesa and where we get some fine views of Upper Lake Mary.

Another mile and time for a snack and a map-check.

Onward.  The Mesa is criss-crossed with wildlife and ATV trails, so it is always reassuring to encounter the AZT signs,

And another few miles, we come upon our turn for the Lakeview Campground where we left our friend's truck.  On our last foray onto Anderson Mesa, we hiked up from the campground and turned right at this sign.  This time we'll turn and head down the Mesa.

Love this sign!  I will need to check, but I believe we have already finished at least 70 of the 243 miles to Utah.  This 5.5 mile segment completes 55 miles of the trail from Mormon Lake to FR 514 just north of the Peaks and White Horse Hills.  Having finished the trek across Grand Canyon that leaves only 167 miles to go to Utah!

Time for lunch in the warm autumn sunlight.

We will descend about 1000 feet off the Mesa to our awaiting truck.  It's almost the prettiest portion of our trail today with the glow of colorful oaks and the scent of pine needles underfoot.

And one last little surprise-a pretty paintbrush beside the trail!

Here's the map with our route.

The warnings are a little off-putting, but let's get started and see what lies ahead.

Unless you want to hike an "out-and-back" which in this case would total 11 miles, you take two cars for a shuttle.  We drop Stan's car off at Mormon Lake Lodge, our terminus, then drive back up the road to Double Springs campground and leave mine there.  Check on all your gear and let's go!

The trail is clearly marked and almost so all the way.  There was one instance where we couldn't find where the trail went for a few moments.

That was fun and it'll be the only water we see for the next 5.5 miles.

Work crews on the AZT place these cool little "Roll-overs"  for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Gates are arranged  for equestrians when a property fence is reached.

And for quite some distance, it's all uphill.

We find most of the trail to be rather rocky, so just watch your footing.

The trail is well marked.  Here's where the Lakeview trail meets the AZT.  The day is getting pretty warm, so a good time to chug some water and have a snack.

And more uphill.  

We cross a small dirt road and usually the trail is well-marked.  I missed the trail sign which hidden by this downed tree, which also obscured the trail.  Good thing Stan spotted it.

Start looking for a place in the shade to have lunch. Most of the big logs are in the sun, but here's a pile of rocks that look possible.  Find a comfortable one and take a break.

What did you bring along?

We could hear the roar of an ATV for some time, so we knew there must be another road to cross--and there he was. After that anachronistic thing passes, let's take a look at the small things.

A little sulphur nectarine on some Mules Ears

A fritillary enjoying lunch.  

Just about the only wildflower we encountered along the trail was Scarlet Bugler--a treat for hummingbirds!

Finally we reach the side trail that will take us down to Mormon Lake.  

Not too far to go and we are ready for something cold and wet.

Mormon Lake where the population sign reads "Population: 50-500".  We head for the Lodge where--

We make our way to the bar,  We must have looked pretty hot and bedraggled.  We asked for lemonade and the bartender said it was on the house.  Left him a sweet tip, cooled off with that lemonade, then wobbled back to Stan's car, drove back to pick up mine, then drove back home.

Meet Junie, short for Juniper.  She is ready to start her hike!  The air temperature is a cool 60 degrees, and the first portion of this hike is uphill, so it should be nice and comfortable.

Through the gate and an immediate turn to the right.

The trail leads uphill through mixed forest.

Remnant or a chunk that tumbled down from above?  

Every turn is an invitation to hike on further.

Robyn knows the way to some pictographs.

Recent high winds have knocked down tree limbs and old trunks.

Rock faces make a fine surface for ancient writing.

This seems to be the best-preserved one,

Hiking on a little farther, we come to evidence of ranching from long ago.  Spring houses stored water for cattle as well as humans.  This one is built into the rock wall.

And here's another spring house.

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The trail starts to bend back through a field of ferns.

Some old, venerable ponderosas still remain in the area.

Time to head back.  Just follow the trail back to the gate and parking area.

Heading east, there is a one-car parking area.  It's best to over-shoot it, make a turn a little farther down the road, then head back and slide into it  It is, indeed, right on the edge.

You've met Kathi and Dean on a few other hikes.  Dean is our tactician.

On the edge of the Tucson Mountains lies the Yetman Trailhead.  We'll take this on a 6-mile loop.

Here's the route.

The Freeman Family moved to the land on the northwest side of the Rincon Mountains in 1933, taking advantage of The Homestead Act which allotted 640 acres for farming, ranching, or mining.  A three-room adobe home was built to house the large Freeman family.  We'll hike this loop trail and find the site where the home once stood.  For now, enjoy walking along this easy trail and observing the very thirsty desert plants.

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Colors of the desert are subtle.  This scene may well become a painting.

Just a few miles down 89A, watch for FR 237 making an acute angle to the left.  Follow along until you reach the creek bed.

Schultz Pass Rd to Schultz Tank.  Pick up the Weatherford Trail and about 50 yards up the trail one can turn left on the AZT.  Not that easy however!  There was a huge running event/competition being held in the foothills and nearly every space in the dirt parking area was taken.  I managed to squeeze into a little spot and we were on our way!

At this point, the trail seems to be unnamed, but there is a Coconino County Parks sticker on the post.

Here's the trailhead and it's all downhill from here--and all uphill on the way back. We're hiking 3/4 mile to the Coconino Overlook.

It's a beautiful cool morning and the trail is nicely shaded.

Right away, we'll see wildflowers.  Here's one known as Scarlet Bugler.

From time to time, the forest opens up to reveal a peep into the Canyon.  We are actually in Roaring Springs Canyon, which will feed into Bright Angel Canyon.

Plenty of switchbacks which ease the steep drop/gain in elevation.  Hikers heading uphill have right-of-way.

Just stopping to take another look at a lovely scarlet bugler when--

A two-tailed swallowtail floats in for a sip of nectar.

If you look carefully, you'll spot another butterfly on the oak leaves.  This is a California Sister.

And the Trail goes ever on.

You can see now that we're almost into the Coconino layer; compressed sand dunes from eons ago.

We're dropping out of the conifers of higher elevation and getting into more deciduous forest.  Looking across, you can clearly see not only the Coconino layer, but the one that lies beneath, the rusty red Hermit Layer.

We'll need to step aside to let these guys by in just a while.

Definitely into the Coconino layer now.  See those striations?  This is a nice example of cross-bedding indicating the prevailing wind direction at the time these old dunes were laid down.

There's an inviting side trail that I just couldn't resist.  It was a nice little balcony walk that revealed a good view into Bright Angel Canyon with a glimpse of the South Rim way beyond.

A fissure in the Redwall below is where the North Kaibab Trail descends to the first campground on your way to the bottom of the Canyon--Cottonwood Campground.  We won't be going THAT far today, however.

And here we are at the Coconino Overlook.

Find a comfortable rock and enjoy a little lunch!

If you look carefully, you'll see the North Kaibab Trail snaking its way into the Canyon.  Enjoy the cool shade because the sun has traveled higher in the sky and our shady trail is now going to be in direct sunlight.

Take your time, drink plenty of water, and stop to rest whenever you need to.  It's a bit harder work heading up the trail, but the scenery makes it worth it.  See you in the parking lot!

For this hike, we'll do a two-car shuttle, leaving one car at the end of the trail and dropping our other car at Ashhurst Lake road, where we'll get on the trail.

Northern Arizona received a lot of snow in January.  On the 18th, I drove up to Grand Canyon from Tucson to pick up paintings at the close of the 2022 Celebration of Art show.  I made a stop at our home in Flagstaff to pick up my XC skis--just in case I had a chance to take them out along the Rim.  Come along with me on this wintery experience!

We arrive at the Canyon mid-afternoon and take a walk along the Rim Trail.  The snow on the North Rim down to the top of the Supai layer!

The snow is so deep--don't get too close to the edge!

The next morning, we put on our skis and head out westward along the Rim.  Here's a view of the Bright Angel Trail as it winds through the top layer of the Canyon.  It's a little difficult navigating the narrow icy footpath with these long skis. 

Finally, fresh, unplowed snow.  This little side road is a place where we can ski with only the sound of piñon jays calling through the forest.

The trail along the rim is packed down by walkers and was really too narrow and twisty for skis, let's take them off, plant them behind a bush, and walk westward along the Rim trail.

Enjoy the views!

This was fun, but not much real skiing, Let's try Shoshone Point tomorrow.

Friends Kori and Chad have already packed down a nice trail with their snowshoes.  

The trail takes us exactly one mile to the rim.

Having Shoshone Point all to oneself is pure pleasure.

A little peek through the trees at the Canyon.  Normally one would want to trek out to the very end of the point, but it looks a little too icey and dicey for that.

Kori and Chad's tracks lead to a great overlook.  After a little rest, some water and a granola bar, we'll ski the mile back to the car, then head to the El Tovar pub for some hot chocolate. 

Before we leave the Canyon the next morning, one more look seems like a good idea.  This time it's filled with clouds with faint rays of sunlight piercing through.   The Canyon never looks quite the same way twice.  January is an excellent time to visit this place.  If you don't mind the cold and snow, you'll find you have it nearly all to yourself!

Our trail starts at the corner of the Sabino Canyon parking lot.  We'll be hiking to the top of what appears to be that mound ahead.

This is a two-car shuttle. We dropped one car at the end of the trail at Sandy Seep trailhead, then drove to Schultz Pass Road, through the forest and left the second car at Schultz Tank.  That saves a hiker from having to do an "out and back" doubling one's mileage.  We'll be hiking seven miles on this segment of the AZ Trail.

And here's where we'll start.

We'll immediately ramble through the ponderosa forest.  

There are a lot of trail junctions along the way.  Just watch for the AZ Trail signage.

Colossal Cave Park, located at the southern end of the Rincon Mountains, is about a 45 minute drive from our home in Tucson.   Historic ranch La Posta Quemada is part of that park and this is where we'll get on the trail.

We'll find our way to the connecting trail in this mesquite-shaded picnic spot.

Always take a photo of the trailhead maps--just in case there's any confusion over the route along the way.  Today we'll Hike an "out-and-back" to the La Selvilla trailhead.

Here's the connector trail.  In about 1/4 mile we'll be on the AZT.