12/6-8 Catalina Mountains and state park

December 12, 2024

What a Gem of a State Park, but I guess we find that often, the State Parks are in beautiful places, and are well put together.

We were ready for a shower, and these were just great! Spacious, clean, and hot. No waiting :)

I managed a bike ride to explore and set out on the "fifty year" trail- great fun!!

Big rocks, check

Small rocks, check

Sand traps, check

Big rocks on steep climbs, check

Plenty of cactus to catch your fall, check, check!

Great sunset, check!

This is going to be a good camp.

Susan want on a birding walk, we found some hikes, learned of the desert big horn in the area, saw a reptile display, even went to an evening concert (Karaoke covers), I dialed in our plan for the California coast, and made a dozen reservations for that part of the trip home. I guess it felt good to get some of the housekeeping things done.

Watching others is very entertaining, and there are different types of campers in different places. Catalina SP had the RV crowd. There were various trailers from micro teardrop trailers to monstrous fifth-wheel homes with multiple pop-outs the size of our van. Few van campers. Susan noted that the "sprinter crowd" seems to be in the national parks/ monuments more than the RVs. RV-ers seem to have a community, and like to camp together. I would not be surprised if they did pot-lucks together. And they have a lot of outside lights!, in this case Christmas lights.

12/5, Picket post Mountain

December 12, 2024

We took a great hike today, more level than normal, on the north side of Picket post Mt. close to where we wild camped last night. The posts on all trails were all about "be careful of the snakes" and "encountered a territorial diamondback" We didn't see any snakes, nor did we see the skunk that one fellow hiker said he saw- I guess both of those things are good!

I really enjoyed Picket post Mt. I think that it has the similar feeling that Mt. Hood does at home- it's a standout feature, rather than one of many. The nearby Superstition Mountains are incredible, but are a range of peaks, so don't have the same affinity for me.

12/4, The Superstition Mountains

December 12, 2024

The Superstition Mountains, Superstition wilderness. And the story of the lost Dutchman……… who was really German? Peralta Trail, Freemont Saddle, Tortilla Flats.

Some trails just seem to keep climbing! The route to Freemont Saddle was like that. Superb temperature, but the sun is intense, and the bouldering made the climb a workout. Views along the way were great, and from the top better! Lots of cactus and other plants, but the Saguaro stole the show for me, especially with the rocky spires as a backdrop.

We had to stop in to the saloon in Tortilla Flats. It's wallpapered with dollar bills, and has saddles to sit at the bar. The museum just 3 doors down has a jail cell out front where Ginger was talked into entering.

Evening was wonderful under the stars and Saguaro cactus, even a campfire! It's really nice not to be cold or wet.