Finger Rock

Saturday January 23, 2010 5.10 miles round trip.

The Trail starts at the end of Alvernon Way in a parking lot. I wanted to go to Romero Pools but when I called the Catalina State Park they were closed because the water was too high in the CDO wash and you couldn't get to the trail head. I heard it is a great hike after the rains. Joel Gurvine suggested we try Finger Rock so we met at the Basha's parking lot with the Dillards and off we went.
When we started out at the trail head there was a 40% chance of rain and it was snowing still in the mountains so we made sure we had our rain jackets. We were hoping to get up to the snow so we could have a snowball fight.

I carried JT most of the way up the steep part and about 1/2 of the way down. He was a trooper and Tia did awesome too without a complaint. At one point coming back down the trail Jonathan said, "my hands are cold, I don't want to be here." After that I put him on my shoulders and he put his hands down my neck and back to get warm and was much happier. This is where we crossed the wash to the steep part of the trail.

This was an interesting Saguaro shape that caught my eye. It made a good frame of Finger rock.

The views of the snow were amazing going up and the views of the valley were incredible coming back down. The canyon was very steep on both sides and we climbed the east canyon wall after we crossed the wash.

Mike and Trey Dillard.

Trey Dillard and Jeremy Gurvine.

We shed our jackets as we climbed the mountain. JT and I were the caboose most of the way.

We stopped a few times to yell and listen for our echos. It was pretty clear and loud.

We stopped at a good viewpoint of finger rock about 2.55 miles up. Here is a link that describes where we stopped to eat our snacks. http://www.localhikes.com/hikes/fingerrock_8520.asp Can you tell my two little hiking buddies were tired?

Joel, Mike and Joel's friend couldn't leave their technology in the car. I prefer not to think about the world below when I am in God's Country! Wouldn't you rather look at the views?

Tia was the only girl on the hike and kept up with the boys.

Someone thought the way down was going to be easy and fun. About the fourth scary rock pile next to the drop off edges he seemed to wait for his Dad. After about 7 or 8 of those he ended up on my shoulders the rest of the way. My lower back, neck and knees were very sore the next day to say the least. Jt is 4 years old and weighs about 40 pounds. It felt like I was back packing with a moving pack on my back.

The side walls of the trail had some interesting wild life on it.

Tia and mini me Jonathan. It looks like his legs are chopped off in this shot.

We could see kit peak and beyond. Perfect day for hiking.

Leaning against a giant rock in the trail.

Looking back behind the big rock towards finger rock.