Who could resist hiking a trail through such a magical-sounding place? Not carryoncouple, that’s for sure. With a name like Enchanted Hills, one might hope to find a fairy-tale castle, complete with rainbows and unicorns. Well, no such luck, but we did enjoy a sweeping view from atop Enchanted Peak.
Our Enchanted Hills Hike would take us up to Enchanted Peak, seen in the distance.
This was another hike in Tucson Mountain Park, just a short drive from our RV park. It’s a wonderful resource for day hikers like us. Covering 20,000 acres, the park boasts 62 miles of non-motorized shared-use trails. The trails are well signposted and interconnected, allowing for a “create your own experience.” We occasionally ran into other hikers and mountain bikers, but for the most part, we had these trails to ourselves.
Reg had no idea our trail would lead to the top.We passed by some interesting rock formations.As we wound our way up Enchanted Peak, the trail became a little more challenging.I stopped to take a quick picture of the drop-off.
The last 25 or 30 yards were a scramble, something I conquered on all fours. We both eventually made it to the top and it wasn’t really that bad of a climb…provided one didn’t look down too much. From the peak, an information board pinpointed all the distant peaks beyond the city of Tucson, and a selection of rocks provided us with view seats for our picnic lunch.
We should have known better than to assume our first steep, rocky climb along the Brown Mountain Loop Trail would land us at the high point. The trail is considered moderately challenging with less than 700 feet of elevation gain. We thought we’d nailed the climbing in record time. Until we looked ahead.
A steeper and rockier path lay ahead.
Spring is turning the Sonoran Desert green.Wildflowers are beginning to bloom.A barrel cactus is surrounded.
As it turned out, we reached the trail summit (3,000’ elevation) after our second climb, only to drop down before making two more shorter ascents. The 4.2-mile trail, located in Tucson Mountain Park, offers 360° views of the surrounding desert landscape, a particularly beautiful scene this time of year.
The trail ahead would lead us back to the valley floor.
Despite being described as a “fun hike” by our AllTrails app, we were content to leave the 2,332 foot climb up Thimble Peak outside of Tucson to more determined thrill-seekers. Driving up to Mt. Lemmon along the 27-mile Sky Island Parkway, part of the U.S. National Scenic Byway system, we found plenty of pullouts, and the first one we stopped at provided an excellent view of the distant knoll.
Thimble Peak is one of four peaks along a ridge running through the Catalina Mountains of Arizona.
Mount Lemmon, with its 9,159’ summit, is the highest peak in Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains. Our destination was the village of Summerhaven, population 26 (Arizona-demographics.com) located 8,200’ above the valley floor. Summer temperatures are reported to be 30-40 degrees cooler than Tucson, a tempting escape from blazing heat of lower elevations. In direct contrast, winter cold allows a small ski resort to operate just above town. Setting off on a warm day, we were unclear what to expect at the top so we threw hats and jackets in the backseat…just in case.
Interesting rock formations lined the highway.The top of a weathered stump looks like a llama.Reg posing among the rocks.Huge slabs of rock appear to have been carefully placed.
After several stops on our way to the top, we arrived at Summerhaven, parked and strolled along the town’s main street. Things were a little sleepy, but with all the homes (rentals?) and other lodging options we figured the population often swelled with vacationers. After a quick stretch of our legs, we were back in the truck, curious to see if the ski slope was operating.
A relic from Mt. Lemmon’s past.Private homes are scattered above a handful of tiny home rentals.Downtown Summerhaven.
Although springlike conditions greeted us, the ski slope was surprisingly covered with plenty of snow. The chairlifts (all three of them) were running eager skiers to the top and the atmosphere was festive.
Sure enough, the ski slope was covered and, despite the warm conditions, there were a few skiers flying down the slopes.We couldn’t help but step through the Iron Door. It was lunchtime.Gorgeous presentation and pretty good coffee.
Our timing was perfect as we caught the last ten minutes of breakfast service at the Iron Door. Despite having had a morning meal prior to starting the drive, Reg and I quickly ordered our second breakfast. Soon after ordering, the menu switched to lunch items, crowds converged and tables filled up. As we left, it was standing room only in the lobby, the parking lot was full and cars kept on coming.
We enjoyed an easy start along the trail to Bridal Wreath Falls.
The trail to Bridal Wreath Falls was a bit of a challenge, but the idea of seeing a waterfall in the desert was a novelty for us. Located in the eastern side of Saguaro National Park, the 7.75-mile trek rises 1,200 feet above the valley floor, eventually leading to the base of the small waterfall. We found a perfect lunch spot tucked beneath the shade of a giant boulder.
The climb was unforgiving, but seeing the falls (top right) was the reward…along with the expansive views of the downhill trip (left top and center).
Catalina State Park
The Santa Catalina Mountains form a backdrop for our hike on the Dead Horse Canyon Trail.
With one wrong turn, we managed to make this 4.6-mile Catalina State Park trail into just under six miles. The gorgeous Mountain views (almost) made up for the extra mileage, half of which was uphill. We reached the end, 900 feet above our starting point, and after a quick lunch started back down.
The no-name waterfall was not much more than a trickle (top right), but it provided a pleasant lunch spot view.
What do you get when you combine the spirit of the Old West with a little movie magic history? The answer, we discovered, is Old Tucson, a film set and family theme park set against a backdrop of rugged Arizona mountains and saguaro cactus. Definitely cowboy country.
The Old West came alive as we entered the park.
To be honest, we weren’t sure this was the best entertainment choice for us, but by the end of the day, we were true believers. The logical place to begin is with the recently opened history display housed just to the right of the entrance. Watch the short film showing clips from an impressive number of movies shot on location at the park. Wander through years of historical photos and newspaper clippings. Don’t miss costume displays designed for and worn by your favorite big-name stars.
Michael Landon’s Little House on the Prairie costume was easy to spot.Fans of The Big Valley might recognize Barbara Stanwyck’s costumes.Frank Sinatra’s autographed long John’s.Hoss Cartwright’s (Dan Blocker) iconic oversized shirt.
Who doesn’t love a good John Wayne western?
We wandered up the dusty Main Street to The Grand Palace Saloon to check out The Annie Can-Can Show. Billed as a “knee-slapping comedy,” the silliness did not disappoint. Live entertainment and shows take place throughout the day. Most are scheduled for multiple times and feature many of the old western legends; Jesse James, Belle Starr, Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickock and more. Perfect for those who don’t want to miss a thing.
By far the best show of the day was the movie stunt demonstration. Scheduled just once at 4:00 pm, we almost didn’t stick around. Filled with humor, stunts and some audience participation, it was the perfect ending to a surprisingly enjoyable day.
There was only one way down…In the blink of an eye, it was over.
We are one month into our first-time snowbird experience, having ditched the cold, gray Oregon sky in exchange for brighter, warmer winter days in Tucson, Arizona. We spent three nights here last March, which is when we decided to reserve the same site for our 2-month stay this year. We liked the lemon tree – the roots give us a sense of permanence, while the bushy green shrub semi-hides our neighbors nasty plumbing hoses.
We’ve called this little spot of Tucson real estate home since January 9th.
The park is well taken care of and the staff is helpful, but watch your speed when coming and going. Trash pickup is a breeze. We simply put out bags out in front of our trailer and the golf cart men quickly scoop it up and take it away!
It’s fun to walk through the park and see how others stake their claim. A herd of donkeys, a dog fence along perceived property lines or perhaps you’d prefer what I call the “skybox sites.” It’s all in good fun!
We quickly discovered the Saturday morning golf tournament. Organized by one of the longtime regular snowbirds, the 2-hour challenge includes cash prizes for top scores. With putting greens scattered about the property and 30-plus holes, it’s much harder than it looks…although one of us (ahem) got six holes-in-one last time we played.
No resort would be complete without an official corn hole court. Two pickleball courts are kept clean and dry for those who brought their rackets. Above is one of two pools, both with a jacuzzi…very popular with the snowbird crowd.
We also have the BBQ Rush Restaurant on site. I haven’t tried all the food, but they have some of the best BBQ’d chicken I’ve ever had. It was the perfect spot to reserve a table and watch the Super Bowl. I’d guess about half the crowd went home happy.
Camping cabins, an exercise room, washers and dryers, several dog parks and wash stations for pets provide guests with most comforts of home. The property also offers a pretty good morning walk. With 400 sites, I’ve discovered takes awhile to cover the entire property.
Even with all this, plus a bike trail, right out our front door, the best part is still the incredible hiking available within a short drive. Will we come back next year? It looks that way, but we’ll see.
Historic Tombstone was named a National Historic Landmark District in 1961, and work continues to retain the old west flavor and historical designation. Visiting is a bit like walking onto the set of your favorite western, complete with dusty streets and questionable-looking cowboys.
Home to the O.K. Corral and nearby Boot Hill, there’s plenty to see and do in Tombstone. Mine tours, entertaining, family-friendly gunfights, stagecoach rides and gift shops with everything from cowboy boots to silver jewelry. Since we had visited several years ago, we skipped the tourist things and simply wandered around, enjoying the atmosphere until lunchtime. We knew where to find good food and the rowdiest lunch crowd.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon Good food and good times.
Mick entertains the crowds every Friday through Sunday from Noon -4:00 pm.
After eating our fill and tipping Mick we moved on to a little dress-up fun. The restaurant provides costumes and an extremely personable gentleman whose job it is to work the crowd, encouraging free-of-charge photo opportunities. How could we resist? I handed him my phone for photos and as diners watched, he dressed us, handed us rifles and posed us throughout the restaurant. All-in-all he took nearly 30 photos. Of course Reg tipped him well so I guess it wasn’t really free. But it was a whole lot of fun. If you visit Tombstone, don’t miss lunch at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon!
The view across Saguaro National Park East, with Mt. Lemon in the distance.
We’ve enjoyed a week-long visit with friends Chris and Judy. Before they hitched up their trailer for the drive home, we had one last adventure in Saguaro National Park East. There’s a beautiful loop drive through the park with ample pull-outs for an up-close look at the desert vegetation. Our first stop allowed Chris, who in his younger days spent seven years in Tucson, to point out some local landmarks.
Quite a few hiking trails cross-cross the park. For us, a short hike along the Mica View Trail got us out of the car, stretching our legs and working up an appetite for a picnic lunch.
The sun put on another spectacular show, signaling our last evening with Chris and Judy.
The trail description warned there would be no “warmup” when starting the Hugh Norris Trail, one of the many trails found in Saguaro National Park West. One grumpy AllTrails reviewer complained the “1,000 horse steps were senseless for hiking trails.” I’ve never heard of horse steps and I’m pretty sure 1,000 was an exaggeration, although I didn’t count them. We stopped to read the information board then immediately began the climb up all those steps. The trail leads to 4,639’ Wasson Peak, a climb we chose not to do. Instead, our plan would lead us up to an elevation just over 3,600’, an elevation gain of 1,260’ before heading back down along a section of the Sendero Esperanza Trail, then joining the Dobbie Wash which would lead us back to our starting point.
It wasn’t long before our uphill trek revealed astounding views.
The steps continued.What felt like a summit offered just a short respite.
The best view (and favorite photo) of the day.
Still climbing, searching for the perfect lunch spot.Not so comfortable for sitting, but a pretty good view.
After lunch, it was all downhill. We quickly reached the parking lot after cheating (just a little) and walking the last bit along the road.
Our feet enjoyed the Sandy soil of the final Dobbie Wash section.
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