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Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Rincons 2021

Finally, October. Best month of the year. With permits acquired, I set off for the trip that was originally planned for June. The same time we had a heat wave.

Thursday morning, Tracy and I hit the road at 6:00 am with what would take just under an hour to get to the trail head. Fifty percent highway, fifty percent dirt road.

Temperatures at the Miller Creek trailhead are in the lows 40’s. Perfect. I was a bit chilled in a t shirt and shorts but knew well enough this was to my advantage. The Miller Creek trail is under 5 five-mile hike to Happy Valley Campground where I would make camp and stay for the night. The hike wasn’t too bad with just around 2000’ of elevation gain in total.  The pack was moderately heavy as I was carrying over 4 liters of water which need to last me today and into the tomorrow. I had a good steady pace for the first hour or so. 

Then I took a step. The unmistakable sound of a rattlesnake made me pause mid stride. The hairs on my neck stand up. Partially spooked because I don’t see it but also somewhat excited to actually come across one after all these years hiking out here. I makes some noise, duh they can’t hear, so I move so stones and sticks to get him (her?) to warn me again. And it obliged. Somewhere in front of me to the left. Scanning, scanning…There it was! Wrapped around and lounging on a chunk of dead wood partially obscured by grass. Threat located, I take some pictures, shoot a bit of video and make a wide berth around the trail to be on my way. 

From here on out I have heightened awareness. All the rain has the trail very overgrown in places and I use my hiking poles to move the vegetation before I step. No more encounters the rest of the way.

I finally reach Happy Valley and see there is no fewer than 8 people in the camp. Crap. I did not expect that many people, I only thought it would sleep 6 or so per permit. I find out they are just day hikers, taking a break as they are going to Rincon Peak. We talk a while and they leave, I assume I would see them again as my plan had me going to Rincon Peak today as well.  

I set up camp, eat some lunch, repack my bag with day hike supplies; water, snacks and the like and head out. 

This hike is a bit tougher than the one to get to the campground. 2300’ of elevation gain in under 4 miles. The weather is great, and since we are now over 6000’ the desert is gone. Pines and alligator junipers. Cool air and nice breezes.  The first mile clicks off and there is very little effort, that means the next 2 miles are even tougher than I thought. The elevation comes on. It is hard, no sugar coating it. I start catching up to the day hikers. Some of them look ragged. 

I get to the top; I am finally on the peak I see from my backyard every day. The day hiker group finally makes it all up. I take some pictures of them and they start heading down. I hang out a bit longer enjoying the view from over 8400’ up.  More than a half hour after the group leaves, I head down. The first half mile was very loose rock and dirt, I slip a few times, once going all the way down on my ass.  

I start to catch up to the day hikers. Eventually passing them all again. As this hike was a bit more strenuous than expected, I drank a bit more water than I had anticipated, it’s a little bit of anxiety. I make dinner, clean myself up and change into warmer clothes for the night. After dinner the day crew finally comes by, wow have they slowed down. They still have 4 miles to go, it’s getting dark out. I make sure they have headlamps. They had mentioned they started the day on the trail at 5:45 AM. This will be over 14 hour hike by the time they get done. That is a long day. 

I retire to the hammock, leaving the tarp off tonight, the night is perfect and clear. I start reading a book I brought when I hear pounding. I stick my head out and it looks like I have a campmate. Setting up a tent in the dark. I get out of my cocoon and grab my headlamp; I want to let them know I am here as they need to use the bear box. I also have to move a lot of my stuff as I took over the entire box and I need to give him some room. He says Hi, his name is Greg, and he expected me as the day hikers mad already made mention of me. We chat a bit, he eats dinner and I watch the full moon for a bit then back to bed.

I sleep great and wake up around 6:30. Make some coffee, eat some breakfast and break camp. Greg is doing much of the same. I hit the trail before 8. Today is about 7 miles to Manning Camp. The trail is called Heartbreak Ridge. Sounds ominous. In reality its about 2700’ up over those 7 miles, easier than either hike yesterday.  

The only concern I have is the lack of water, I have less than a liter to get me to Manning Camp, a known reliable source. I figure I would ration it after certain time or length milestones. A sip here a sip there. The weather again is beautiful. 64 degrees sunny with a slight breeze. Its not a super hard hike but it has its moments. I decide to take a break when I spot a chair height log to sit on. Drop the pack, east some snacks, drink some water. About a half hour goes by and here comes Greg. Greg is a little older than me, (I find out later he’s 61) and we look very similar. Short mixed beard, glasses, similar build. Quite funny now that I reflect on it. We are both low on water and are hoping that Devils Bathtub spring is flowing so we can get some before the last hard mile to the camp. 

I head out and eventually get to the spring. Its running! Not a lot but enough no be clear and not a stagnant pool. I filter 2 liters, drinking one right on the spot. Man, that is so good. Devils Bathtub is a very interesting. A smooth faced cliff side. I imagine it is awesome when the water is really flowing creating an 80’ waterfall to the pool below. 

Greg shows up, he also takes the opportunity to fill up and relax again. This time I wait for him to finish and we hike the last mile and a half together. 

We reach Manning camp and it’s lovely. Sitting at 8,000’ it was originally built in 1905 by Levi Manning the then current mayor of Tucson, as his summer retreat. Eventually the US Forest Service took it over when they designated the Rincons as US Forest land and eventually National Park. To this day it’s still a working site. The best outhouses, horse corrals, ‘shower’ stalls, weather station and pumphouse for water. There are several forest service workers doing some post-burn fire research. All of these mountains have been touched by lightning or stupid people at one time or another. 

First order of business was to set up camp and get water. The campsites are large. Greg and I share one, yet we are a hundred feet apart.

We head to the area to get water. They suggest to get it out of the pool at the bottom, but that’s full of leaves and such so I go right for the running water. It’s what Mike and I did last time we were up here. Here is where the adventure begins.

We are perched on a rocky slope, not super sloped but enough. I finished one liter through the filter and go to get the other empty bottle and bump it just right that it rolls down the slope and into the water flow. No big deal right, it will end up in the large pool 75 feet downstream. Nope. The stream up here has multiple pools with little waterfalls. It gets stuck floating behind one. Greg gets me a stick and I knock it out of there. It floats to the next ledge, where it gets stuck again. Except this time there is no easy way to get it. Its 8 foot down, at the top of a large pool. I climb up to the edge of this cauldron and think, “no big deal”, I will just take my shoes and socks off to wade to the next level. I test the depth with the stick I have. The stick is a good three foot long and I cannot touch the bottom (or see it). No good. I climb back down, out of this pool, which is also a challenge as its wet, slippery and I have to get hand holds to let myself down.  I try to get the bottle from the top, take my shoes off and go in, way too slippery, I may not get out of here. I struggle to get back out, cutting my back on the log that is also stuck down there. I must have caused enough disruption to the water flow when I tried to get down as now the bottle has popped out and is floating in the pool I just came from. However, the flow is not strong enough to float it toward me. In fact, the wind was pushing it back. Greg tossed rocks from above trying to knock it to me and I keep reaching for it with my stick. Eventually I am able to get it as I climbed back up the slippery pool face. What an ordeal. First, I don’t want to be that guy that leaves his plastic trash to be lost in the wilderness for some one else to find and take care of. Second, that was a fourth of my water carrying capacity. I needed it.  The water chore that should have taken 10 minutes took an hour. 

Back at camp, I set up a mini pack as there is still plenty of daylight and I wanted to do a 5-mile loop to see a few more spots on this section of the mountain. First was Spud Rock. An outcropping and bald on the mountain. I approach and it looks pretty cool. I get closer and see there is a tree on top and the rockface looks scalable. Going up is always the easy part, coming down is always harder. I get to that next level and see to my right another section to ascend. I get up that. A flat spot but I can go higher. I finally get to the top. The view is stunning, better than that of Rincon Peak view. I take a bunch of photos and soak it all in. 

I work my way down without much trouble. On to the next ‘waypoint’. Mica Mountain. The highest part of the Rincons. It’s underwhelming. It was a former fire tower and al that’s left is the concrete bases with no views. Just trees. I did find a geocache! Signed the log. Time to head back. I have about an hour before it starts to get dark, I did not pack a headlamp. Got back to the trail junction where the loop doubles back on the Arizona Trail. I look at the sign. Mike and I were here a few years ago. This is where we began the log decent down to Reddington Pass, where we slept on the side of the mountain. Where the trip began to unravel. Good memories.

I get back to camp with about a half hour before sunset. I change, start dinner and go up to a little bald that I thought was a old building. The forest service people up there correct me and let me know it’s a helipad! They also have beers?! They admit they have mules that carry their food and supplies. Lucky!

The sunset is gorgeous. I head back, eat my dinner and Greg starts a small fire. We hang out and talk. A few hours later we both head to bed. I don’t sleep as good as the previous night, but it was a great night. Perfect sleeping temperature with only occasional breezes.

Saturday morning, I eat breakfast make some coffee, filter a bit more water and break camp. Greg and I exchange contact info so we can share pictures and keep in touch. He goes one way as he has a permit for one more night and I am headed back down. 

It’s a pretty trail with a ton of switchbacks. I make a stop at Spud Rock campground to see what it looks like for future camping opportunities. It has a big canvas tent for forest service gear and water. 

Back on trail, I finally catch the Turkey Creek trail. I now have a nearly 7-mile hike with about 3300’ of elevation loss. Its brutal. Steep, rocky and loose. I nearly fall several times. My feet are taking a beating. I finally get to the Saguaro National Park border and sign the registry. Which, mind you, is a single metal post in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Cattle are here and there. I scare up a few, which run away from me constantly looking back to see it I am still there. Yep, still here.

I am hiking pretty fast now that most of the elevation is done. Cruising along, I almost step on a snake just laying across the trail. Not a rattler this time, but he isn’t moving. I toss a twig at it. He decides to move off. Very slowly. 

I finally get to the Turkey Creek trailhead. Now I only have another 2 miles of dirt access road to get back to the Miller Creek trailhead. The scenery is striking and the hike goes quick. 

Back where I started. 2 nights, 34 miles total and 8800 feet of elevation gain. Great weather, great scenery a great challenge. What’s next?

 


Tuesday, November 2, 2021

1 Year

 Tracy and I just celebrated Halloween and our 29th wedding anniversary. We also are celebrating an brand new anniversary. We have officially lived in Arizona for 1 year now. 

Seems like only a few months that we had packed up the truck, er,  two trucks and left our old house of almost 25 years to try something new.

So much has happened. We lived in that tiny little casita, we built and moved into the new house. We have had quite a few visitors already and look forward to hosting more.  We even went back to Wisconsin for a visit.

The house we now call home has morphed in the last 6 months as we continue to put our own personal touches on it. Still have quite a bit to do but are these type of projects ever done? Much like life, always changing.



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

13 years of this Plus House updates

 Last week marked the Blog's 13th year in existence.  Its a teenager!


Yeah, I have let it wilt a bit. 

The good news is I have some house updates.  They painted the outside, did the roof, tiled and grouted, installed cabinets, carpet is in. appliances are in, garage door is in, drive way and sidewalk, countertops, front stone work is in, full fence is almost done.










We have a initial walkthrough tomorrow (3/25) and are n pace to close 3/31. This long journey is almost complete.


Sunday, March 7, 2021

Update 2/28-3/7/21

Wow, I had not realized that I had not made updates for an entire month. 

First the house stuff. The drywall sat for over 2 weeks before getting hung. The house had nothing done to it during that time so we were a bit bummed. Now it seems to be back in high gear. Drywall is up, mudded and textured. Doors hung, baseboards and case molding in. Initial primer/paint coat is on. Cabinets are delivered. House is stuccoed and ready for exterior paint.  




We also have a closing date of 3/31/21. With an initial walkthrough of 3/25.  They have a lot to do in 2-3 weeks. Waiting for the loan finalization as well.  Then we have a lot to do from our side. All the utilities, buy a fridge, get a water softener,  just to name a few.  We decided to stay in the casita into April so we can make a slow move into the house. To get the keys for the house and move out of here in the same day seems crazy. We can live in the Casita until we do things like seal the tile, maybe paint some rooms and slowly bring things over to the new house. All without having to deal with the dogs and the mess they make as well. 

We have also had several pool companies provide estimates for pool and backyard landscape. What I thought might be fun, has turned stressful. Just don't want to screw it up and regret what we have later. 

Other than that we have been keeping busy. Still doing some mountain bike rides. Still walking the dogs nightly. There is an owl that sits on the top of a utility pole and hoots at us almost nightly. We have broken the seal on the Arizona Brewers Guild coupon book. Hitting at least 6 places in the last few weeks. That's kind of our Saturday thing. See the house, run some errands, get lunch and hit a pub. The weather is great so afternoons in a beer garden are enjoyable. We usually get something to take home, then have a fire to end the night.  All the animals enjoy hanging out as well







Monday, February 8, 2021

Weekly Update 2/1-2/7/21

 Welcome to February!

House updates. We had our pre drywall walk through at the house this week. We review all the things that we have ask for any updates or last minute changes and then sign off. That was Wednesday. Then they did the insulation and delivered drywall.  If all goes well that will be in next week. We are also thinking the stucco will be put on. Once that is completed then they will paint and then the rook goes on. They don't roof until after paint because the spray the paint. 

The house next door is painted, roofed, drywalled, textured and they even started doing trim and doors. We are a only about 2 weeks behind them, so that is exciting. We are still shooting for the end of March to close. Fingers crossed.



Went for another night bike ride. Short but intense. Didn't crash so that's a plus! Took a ride to Oracle on the motorcycle, interesting to see the mountains form the other side. Finally we were invited to a Super bowl party. One of the guys I ride with invited us over for an outside, socially distanced mask wearing affair.  Game as kinda boring but the food was really good. Tri Tip, Carne Asada, Chicken fresh tortillas and more. Look at us making friends! 

Also saw our first snake on the walk with the dogs. Baby rattlesnake.





Monday, February 1, 2021

Bi-Weekly Update? 1/18/2021-1/31/21

Wow. ok, two weeks again.

Lets get the boring out of the way.  House stuff.  Nothing really new. They delivered the material to the roof but nothing more has been done. Still waiting for our pre drywall walk through.  We started looking for a fridge. Man that is crazy. So many style and features and prices.  Waiting for presidents day for some sales. We also had one company come out for a pool estimate. That's kind of exciting. Still hoping for a March closing. We have been here over 90 days now. The adventure of living here has worn off. Although we realize we could probably live in a tiny house after this experience.



Since last post we had a few fun things happen. Kiki turned 21! We had a low key party. Dinner and a few drinks with her old roomies. Old as she is now living in Scottsdale for the time being do to her nursing school. From here on out we need to rock paper scissors for a designated....

I had off of work on MLK day so I decided to try my hand at off road riding. Took the motorcycle up Reddington Pass for a 34 mile round trip in mostly dirt, sand and rocks. Fun and exahusting.




You Tube video 



Finally the last interesting thing that happened was the weather. We had rain for several days, which then turned to snow! Enough snow they opened Mt Lemmon Ski hill. I guess we can't get away from it. 
That's fine with me, I rather enjoyed it. I had a better video but it wont let me attach it here. Where you an see it falling and sticking to the ground. 


Until next week or the week after......


Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Whoops - Weekly update 1/17/2021

 Sorry I forgot to get the update out last week. Not too much was happening.  Well that's not entirely true. Mackenzie moved up to Scottsdale, to start the next few semesters in nursing. Cruelly,  of course she is selected for the Gilbert campus not the Tucson. It's just an added expense we could have avoided for rent in a more expensive part of the state.  Sucks, but she is on her way. 

Weather has been great. Did another night mountain bike ride, did a hike with Tracy ran my fastest 5k yet at 27:29. (under 9 minute miles). Tracy and I also did a house and grocery run, stopping for some outdoor live music and beers at Borderlands Brewing. That was nice.



These reports kind of bleed over as yesterday was MLK day. Tracy and I both had the day off.  I took the motorcycle up Reddington pass. A Dirt road for 4x4 and who ever feels adventurous. 36 miles and it was fun but exhausting. My legs feel it today. You don't just sit in the seat, its a stand almost the entire way taking the bumps and jumps with your legs. I will try to put a video together on that in the coming week. Felt pretty good and will do it again, as there are many many roads like this out here.

As far as the house goes, they added roof sheathing and the patio door the previous week and this last week they did the electrical, the exterior lathe and the roof tiles have been delivered. The super says we might have a pre drywall walkthrough this week. The house next door has insulation and drywall delivered. It's only a week or two from possibly being drywalled. Exciting. We are still hoping for March move in. Today is the 80th day in the Casita. 






Monday, January 4, 2021

Weekly Update 12/27-01/02/2021

 Well we made it through Christmas and into 2021.

What a year it was. Largest amount of change in one year in probably my lifetime.

Covid, restricted work and leisure travel, social distancing, both Tracy and I are now offcial full time remote employees. We sold our first house, moved across the country. I got my license and have a motorcycle, I section hiked the Appalachian Trail. Living in a the smallest house ever. Building a new house....

I can't complain though, a lot of people are having large changes too, all not as lucky as we are.

This week  there were no late night bike rides this week either.  We did have Kiki for New Years Eve had some take out BBQ, played cribbage and Yahtzee. Had drinks round the fire.  We even stayed up to make it to real new years day in our time zone! 

In the morning I got up and went to the park for a long trail run. More than 7 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain. I did a trail run last new years day as well,  slightly different environments. I do miss the snow.

                                            2020

                                            2021

After that we went to look at the house. The HVAC is almost done, the rough plumbing is in, the tub and shower surrounds are in. We also have windows! It's starting to really look like a house now. I assume they will finish up the duct work and plumbing this week. Maybe put our patio door in and then work on electrical? 

We are starting to get excited and have started looking for items like fans, pendant lights, and certain appliances. (I have also looked ate water softeners, filters, Wi-Fi stuff) The house comes with a range dishwasher and microwave. Man when did refrigerators get so expensive? If we can't find one right away we do have the basement fridge we brought with us in storage, if it comes to that. 


HVAC OCTOPUS


Master Bedroom Window


Kitchen Island Plumbing


Front Window