March 28th

Rolling up into the high country this morning, it appeared that this area sees a little more water than the Canelo Hills since things were noticeably greener.  The creek was flowing in Agua Caliente Drainage, pools were seen in other places along the trail, and West Spring Cistern also had a fair amount of water.  Deer must have been attracted by the plentiful grasses because I saw ten of them:  three shortly after setting out from camp, one bounding away up a hillside, and six while I was walking up to the cistern.  After a short break there, as I continued up some switchbacks towards the saddle, I saw a Gila Monster crawling on the path.  Yippee!  I didn't know if I would come across one, but I certainly wanted to, and did!!  It hissed at me and stuck out its tongue as it attempted to scamper away.  Realizing this may be my last chance, I followed it into the vegetation off trail and managed to snap a few more pictures.  I felt extremely lucky to witness the lizard in its natural habitat for I know it's never a given to see such things.  Plenty of people have hiked the AZT and not been so fortunate.
At the saddle there were nice views of Molina Basin, the Catalina Highway, and the campground tucked into a sweeping curve of the road.  Steep switchbacks down the back side made for a fast descent to the shaded picnic tables, where I took off my pack for a bit and went in search of water.  I found a water trailer there.  However, the camp host informed me that the water inside wasn't potable, so he gave me three liters from his own supply.  How kind!  Back at the picnic table, I saw a number of cyclists that passed, some in groups and others solo, legs pumping away as they climbed up the asphalt on what must be a very popular circuit from Tucson.
After an hour had passed, I left the comfort of the shade and got back on the trail, which basically ran along the contour of the hills above the campground, paralleling the Catalina Highway, until it reached Gordon Hirabayashi Trailhead.  From the saddle beyond the trailhead, I had a view into another canyon that would lead to Sycamore Reservoir.
Descending a mile, I entered an area of tall trees and was overcome by a truly horrid smell.  Wrinkling up my nose in disgust, I tried to determine where such a foul odor was coming from.  Arriving at the walled construction of a dam, I looked down and discovered the source of the noxious fumes--- the water at its concrete base.  Covered in a sickly orange slime, nobody was getting any drinkable water out of that stuff no matter how many times they might filter.  Phooey!  Curiosity satisfied, I hurried off in search of fresh air.
Believe it or not, the water just a mile further down trail in Sycamore Canyon was fine.  No sign of whatever had been growing on it at the reservoir and hence nothing malodorous.  The canyon had at one time been accurately named.  However, in its present condition, Fire-Scarred Sycamore Canyon suited it better.  Most of the big trees had been burned, although there were just enough small sycamores around to lend hope that perhaps in the future, it will proudly live up to its original name.
Having climbed up to another saddle, I descended once again into a much more scenic and steeper canyon, wending my way along trail 24A until it linked up with trail 24, which took me into Sabino Canyon.  Half an hour later, I crossed a stream and was keeping an eye out for the side trail to Hutch's Pool.  I ran into a day hiker and asked him if he knew where the pool was.  He replied that he didn't know the exact location, but he was positive that it was close.  Sure enough, a hundred yards further, a faint trail led off to the creek on the right.  A lovely campsite with places to pitch three tents was nestled beneath oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods and a dying pine with Hutch's Pool about ten yards off and ten feet below.  On the other side was an orange, rock cliff that had a few barrel and saguaro cacti growing out of it.  I quickly set up my cowboy camp in the most secluded tent site and then went down to wash off/swim in the refreshing water of the pool.  It was a marvellous soaking and since it was only late afternoon I could leisurely enjoy the benefits of this beautiful camp.


Photo 1:  Toward West Spring Cistern
Photo 2:  Scampering Lizard
Photo 3:  Gila Monster
Photo 4:  Gordon Hirabayashi Trailhead
Photo 5:  Water in Sabino Canyon
Photo 6:  Hutch's Pool

Distance Hiked:  19 Miles