7 Falls Hike - Bear Canyon

Today's hiking adventure was great! Headed up Bear Canyon to experience 7 Falls view. The creek beds were all dry - foreshadowing perhaps for no falls at the end? - However, the day was perfect, no wind and sunny with temps in the mid 60's later. Hikers beware as there were lots of rocks and then they became huge boulders to traverse. It was all well worth it though. 7 miles in about 4 hours...I really enjoyed the hot tub later to unwind!





















Old dried cacti - "Weeping arms"












Seven Falls did not have much "falling" as it was too dry but pools of water were below and I saw a mouse scurry to get a drink.






Jim and Jim enjoyed a quick bite after hiking almost 2 hours into our adventure.










All the markingson this cliffside cactus indicate wounds from falling rocks. These are 400 pound cacti that can really withstand a boulder beating.

Helvetia Mining Hike

It turned out to be a blustery day for a hike but well worth the chilly air. We headed up the Santa Rita mountains to a former mining area with lots of rocky trails and animals. Glancing up the mountainside, I spotted 2 deer who then spotted me too!



Cows were also out grazing in the free range.






Beautiful views in Santa Rita mountains






Amazing turquoise shades in rocks




Entrance to a mining cave


Colorful rocks were throughout this area


This is the remains of the corner of the hotel that used to house the miners.


After hiking through the chill, we took another cross route to see the "smelter." This is an area the miners would come to burn off the valuable minerals. As you can see from my pics, the rock is black, black, black and flakes at the smallest touch. A




Grasses


Mining cave entrance at smelter


Straightest monkey cactus seen yet!


Smelter rock designs


Base of smelter area


Posing at the base of the smelter






Remains of cooking/kitchen area of mining operation


Old stove


Grass on smelter rock backdrop




Dry bed


Tree growing through metal bucket


Old car