We have been to Madera Canyon a number of times and each time is a new experience. The first time we went - a couple of years ago - we were struck by the beauty of being in a forest in Arizona. Once we were there in the middle of summer and the difference in elevation proved a blessing, a difference of 20 degrees, and shade. And once we were there early March and ran into quite a bit of snow heading on the trail to Mt. Wrightson, a 9,456 feet tall mountain south of Tucson, nearing the Mexican border, and it is part of the Sky Islands (southern part of the Rocky Mountains.) This area is in the Santa Rita Mountains. Very family friendly, hiking, picnicking, camping.
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| Heading to Santa Rita Mnts |
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| Trail cleaned and smoothed out |
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| Turn off to Mt. Wrightson |
As we started our climb (we would eventually go up 3,000 feet) we noticed from the last time we were there that someone (Boy Scouts? Rangers? Friends of Madera Canyon?) had greatly improved the trail to the fork where you continue to the saddle, or go on up to Mt. Wrightson. We had tried to go as high as we could on that trail prior time, to us pretty challenging, but really didn't enjoy that trail as much as the one to Agua Caliente spring (saddle), which is still a pretty steep and rugged trail. We went so far, taking lots of pictures and enjoying the snow even though the temperature was in the low 50s.
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| Very impressed with trail's improvement |
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| Started to see snow |
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| Arizona Sycamore |
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| Lovely hike, and the smells of forest |
Mt. Wrightson, 65 years ago, had a tragedy. Six Boy Scouts began to hike up the trail to the top of the mountain and an unexpected snow storm came in. Three of the 6 turned back while the other 3 continued on and 19 days later, their bodies were retrieved. We have always thought to hike to the spot where the memorial is, but never got that high on the trail. And it gets pretty rocky at the point we stop, but every year family and friends of the deceased hike up to the spot and pay their respects. Sad.
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| At this point we went 2500 feet up |
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| Our lunch spot |
Madera Canyon has become one of our favorite places to visit. We always pack a lunch before and find a nice spot to enjoy nature.
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| Photo of photographer |
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Doesn't look bad, but was dicy here
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Was surprised at how, relatively, easy the hike up was. Coming back down, stepping down over rocks and man-made steps of stone, a bit more dicy. All in all very pleasant. Wanted to see water flowing down from the mountain but there still was quite bit of snow the farther we moved up. Still lovely. And we keep coming back.
