Hikers Discover "World's Greatest Cactus"

by Walt Shields

On a beautiful Arizona morning, twelve members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club embarked on a pilgrimage to the "World's Greatest Cactus" located in the heart of the Superstition Mountains. After a two hour drive to the Peralta trailhead, the group followed the Bluff Springs trail climbing 800 feet to the intersection with the Dutchman trail. We had beautiful views of Weaver's Needle en route. The cactus, a giant saguaro, is located 4.6 miles from the trailhead and is unmistakable. Rising some 35 feet, it reportedly has over 60 arms rising like flames from a torch and is at least 150 years old. We were pleased to see that this treasure has been carefully protected probably due to its inaccessibility. Following lunch and many photos, we were off again for our loop hike back to the trailhead following the Dutchman trail. We climbed 200 feet to a saddle overlooking Miner's Needle, another picturesque landmark in the western Superstitions. After a steep 800 foot descent around the base of the needle, we had a pleasant hike back to the trailhead across a rich desert basin containing many saguaros, leafing ocotillos, teddy bear chollas and some early blooming wildflowers and grasses. After 7 hours on the trail and nearly 12 miles, a tired but happy crew arrived back to the cars. Those participating were: Walt Shields (guide), Tiggy Shields, Howie and Elaine Fagan, Marleen Olson, Randy Park, Susan Hollis, Jim Wheeler, Dick Krueger, Melissa White and Dave and Katie Krieves.

Mule Ears: A Hike from SaddleBrooke

By Elisabeth Wheeler

Mule Ears, a 7091 ft rock formation in the Santa Catalina Mountains, is barely visible to the east from SaddleBrooke. From Charouleau Gap (the prominent saddle) follow the ridge line south to the three peaks of Samaniego Ridge. Just before Samaniego Ridge there is a rock outcropping that looks like a ski jump. Mule Ears is located here. However, it doesn’t resemble mule ears until viewed up close.

Six adventurous members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club decided to hike 18.4 miles round trip from SaddleBrooke all the way to Mule Ears. The adventurers were Kathy Gish, Cheryl Werstler, Fred Kennedy, Mary Croft, Sharon Simpson and Elisabeth Wheeler. They knew ahead of time that the 2004 fire had obliterated the upper trail and that black brush and its sharp stickers had taken over much of the former trail. Even though hikers dressed defensively several hikers later reported pulling out thorns which went right through their hiking pants. One hiker commented, “even my scratches got scratches.”

The hikers persevered throughout the 4200' elevation gain to Mule Ears and reached their goal in time for lunch there. The photo shows the hikers safely hugging the outcropping under the ears above a thousand foot drop-off. The views were spectacular, including a faint image of Weaver’s Needle in the Superstition Mountains and Picacho Peak. All were proud of their accomplishment and enjoyed the camaraderie of this unique adventure.

To learn more about the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club and less strenuous hikes
offered by the Club call President Michael Reale at 825-8286.

Hiking Club Discovers Petroglyphs
by Lou Powers

Have you ever experienced the thrill of discovering a petroglyph? If not, make sure you partake in one of Dave Hydeman’s hikes to find them. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how close to SaddleBrooke they can be found. I’ve seen pictures of them in books before, but it was quite exciting to be standing next to one in person. As you hike your eyes sweep over the rocks formations surrounding you. If no figures come into sight you learn to not give up but try approaching the rocks from a different angle. It helps to look at the darker rocks along the hike because they seem to have the most visible figures. Soon a cry of, “I see one”, rings out and everyone’s eyes zero in on the location. There are some tight spots to contend with but everyone patiently waits their turn while balancing on the rocks. Dave is quite experienced in spotting these treasures, so it made our quest that much easier. The above photo speaks for itself in trying to describe this unique Indian art of the Sonoran desert. If you ever come upon a petroglyph on one of your hikes, please remember not to touch or walk on it because we want them to last as long as possible. Pick up a Hiking Club newsletter at the Mountainview Clubhouse, or check the hiking schedule on the HOA #1 web site www.saddlebrooke.org ( look under Clubs) to arrange your own trip to see the petroglyphs. You can reach Dave at 825-7816. These hikes fill up fast so call early to reserve your spot.

For further Hiking Club information please contact Michael Reale 825-8286

Saddlebrooke Hikers Summit Mt. Wrightson

On Sept. 14, 2009, with sunny skies and no threat of monsoons, six club members from Saddlebrooke hiked the Old Baldy Trail to the top of Mt. Wrightson, the highest point around Tucson at 9,453 ft. Trip leader Michael Reale choose the Old Baldy route to the summit-the shortest and steepest alternative-climbing steadily for 4,000+ feet in over 5 miles. It is possible to reach the top via another trail, the Super Trail, which is not quite as steep but longer. The hikers took a moment to look at a memorial along the way which is dedicated to three boy scouts who perished on the mountain on Nov.15, 1958. The last .9 mile of the trail is gradual at first but then one must negotiate a series of rocky switchbacks. Upon reaching the top, the group examined the remains of an old fire lookout tower which was abandoned and dismantled in the 1950’s. They also enjoyed spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding area including Mt. Hopkins, Kitt Peak, Baboquivari , the sacred mountain of the Tohono O’odham Tribe and Mexico. The fall flower colors along the route were brilliant. Pictured left to right are participants Frank Brier, Michael Reale, Larry Allen, Jeanne Reale and Richard Ganzel. Mary Ganzel took the photograph.

Hikers Scale Finger Rock Guard

by Roy Carter

Six Hiking Club members spent a beautiful December 13th climbing Finger Rock Guard in the southern Santa Catalinas. The Guard is the 6475' rock formation immediately east of Finger Rock, which is accessible from the Finger Rock Canyon Trail #42 that connects the trailhead at the north end of Alvernon Way and Mt. Kimball. The insanely steep, slippery, and just plain ornery trail to the Guard is fairly well marked with cairns, but is still elusive at several points, as evidenced by the three U.of A. students in front of us that climbed well out of their way before seeing us above them and closer to the Guard. To reach the Guard, one must exit the trail to Mt. Kimball at about the 5280 feet level and descend 300 feet into the canyon before resuming the upward climb. The final portion of the trail actually approaches the Guard from the north. As a result of the canyon descent and other elevation losses along the way, the 3375 foot net elevation change becomes a 4000 feet accumulated gain over the course of the 7.2 mile round trip.

Finger Rock itself is not climbable without ropes. However, the last several hundred feet to the top of the Guard can be traversed by some tricky boulder hopping and four point (meaning feet and hands) climbing. The views at the top are stunning in nearly every direction; the only obstruction is the 6628 foot Prominent Point located to the west of Finger Rock. Oddly enough, Finger Rock is very difficult to distinguish, from the vantage point of the Guard, because the Prominent Point backdrop has the identical rock types and strata order. The intrepid hike participants will not soon forget this magnificent hike, especially the scrambling necessary to ascend the last several hundred feet to the top and the spectacular views.

Please contact Michael Reale at 825-8268 for more information about the Hiking Club.

Hiking Club Revisits the Trail to Hutch’s Pool

On Friday, February 27^th, a fun-loving group of Saddlebrooke hikers, led by Laura Ruxer, ventured to the newly reopened trail to Hutch’s Pool. They took the Sabino Canyon tram to Stop #9 and started up the trail. After a moderately steep but brief climb out of the canyon, the trail headed to the northwest. This lovely hike took them across several stream crossings, a small amount of bushwacking and finally to a permanent pool surrounded by giant Arizona Cypress trees.

Hikers from back row to front ~ left to right:

Pam Frame, Tom Frame’s knees (taking a nap), Barbara Mautner, Bertie Litchfield, Sharon Redmann, Sandra Sowell, Marjorie Herrmann, Linda vonFeldon (guest), Kathy and Paul Volpe, Duane Roggow, Martha Hackworth, Laura Ruxer and Roy Carter. Elisabeth Wheeler took the photo.