Saturday January 2nd we decided to take a hike with the kids in the Tortolita Mountains near our home. The forecast called for 70 degrees and plenty of sunshine so we called the Hooblers and the Derricks to see if they wanted to join us. We left about 9:45 AM to pick up the Derricks and carpool with the Hooblers. We made it to the trail about 10:30 after stopping for gas and a bathroom break. The kids found some perfect walking sticks their size that were ribs from a Saguaro cactus. Tortolita means little white dove in spanish.
The trail started at the Ritz Carlton that just opened last month. We chose the family friendly purple Wild Burro trail that went up the wash into the canyon just passed the resort. The trail is marked very well and was perfect for the younger kids. We came back down on the blue on the left called the Lower Javelina Trail that had more of a climb and view.
A Petroglyph of a Deer and Cactus we discovered near a large Saguaro cactus.
We took turns carrying Joshua the whole way. We estimated that we hiked between 3 and four miles round trip.
The Petroglyph is in the shadow of this picture.
Joshua,Tia, Abby, Anna, Jonathan and Collin.
Ruth looking up the canyon after we left the Wild Burro Trail and heading back down on the Lower Javelina Trail after a short climb.
There were many cactus that seemed to grow right out of the rock. Ritz Carlton in the background looking West.
We also discovered this large, flat rock that was used to grind various things. We couldn't find the grinding stone but did see some pottery pieces down below near the end of the trail.
Jonathan and Anna had fun throwing rocks and were real troopers. We carried Anna on our shoulders the last little while because those little legs take about twice as many steps to travel the same distance. It was fun to watch them hike and discover things along the way. Each one of them brought a treasure bag that they filled with rocks. Some of them had too many treasures and we had to leave some "gold" behind.
We put Dad's hat on Joshua because we forgot the sunscreen.
Teddy Bear Cholla. Nasty hidden barbs on the spines. Use a stick to get them off your shoes and clothes.
No falls, skinned knees, stickers, crying or complaints. Wow. Just sore muscles the next day.
The cactus forest was amazing.
1 comment:
Ruth, thank you for sharing this hike info with me! That looks amazing and beautiful! I love that you saw hieroglyphics and pottery and stuff. However, 3 to 4 miles is a little bit more that our family could probably handle. I guess if we took lots of breaks we could do it. Way to go!
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