Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Pontatoc Ridge Trail

Pusch Ridge Wilderness,
Santa Catalina Mountains,
Pima Co., Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Pontatoc Canyon Trail
Pontatoc Ridge Trail

Total Time: 1:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.4 miles

Pros: Scenic Hike with Excellent Views
Cons: Houses at trailhead take away from the natural feel

Hiking Partners:
Yehudah Koblick

On our trip to Arizona, we found some time at the end of the day for this beautiful hike. The Santa Catalina Mountains are north of Tucson and the foothills are at the end of the urban area of Tucson. These mountains are very scenic, and full of large saguaro cactus.

We parked at the trailhead at the end on Alvernon Way, and took the Pontatoc Canyon Trail passed where it crosses the flowing desert stream. We then took the Pontatoc Ridge Trail up from the canyon to the view facing over Tucson. We then turned around and headed back along the same route.

Map of the Route

Plaque at Hiking Trailhead

Single Point Saguaro Cactus

Looking Down at the Road from the Beginning of the Hike

Large Saguaro Cactus with the Mountains in the Background

Sonoran Desert Flora

Me on the Trailhead

Posing with some Cactus

Yehudah Posing with some Cactus

Passing the Flowing Brook

Yehudah at the Brook

Hummingbird Atop a Ocotillo 

Finger Rock in the Distance

Ascending Pontatoc Ridge

Santa Catalina Mountains

Looking Down Towards Tucson with the Sun Going Down

At the Pontatoc Ridge First View

Looking Towards Finger Rock at the Pontatoc Ridge

Me on the Pontatoc Ridge

Yehudah on the Pontatoc Ridge

Me Overlooking the Ridge

Me Above the Tucson Overlook

The Curve at Pontatoc Ridge

Yehudah with a Large Cactus

Strange Looking Saguaro Cactus

Cactus and Sunset

Dusk at Pontatoc Ridge

An Arizona Sunset Scene

Me on the Trail

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