Finger Rock Trail

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

Hiking Trails:
Finger Rock Trail

Total Time: 1:55 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.3 miles

Pros: Scenic Canyon and great views
Cons: Houses at trailhead take away from the natural feel

While out in the Tucson area in Arizona, I had decided to visit the area that I was in on the previous day and hike another trail in that area. I did another beautiful hike starting off in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, and took the Finger Rock Trail northward through the steep canyon, flowing stream, and up the side of the ridge. Finger Rock is a prominent geological feature that looks like a finger sticking up, rising up from the steep floor of the canyon. I hike on the trail a little over a mile and a half, near the Finger Rock, and then turned around and headed back the same route.

Map of the Route

At the Beginning of the Hike, Entering Finger Rock Canyon

Laerge Saguaro before Finger Rock

Flowing Brook in Finger Rock Canyon

Rock Formations and Saguaro

Trail in the Canyon

Beautiful Cactus Grove in the Desert Canyon

Me with the Canctus

Dense Lush Greenery

Finger Rock in the Distance

Looking Back Through the Entrance of the Canyon

Looking into the Distance into Tucson

Me at the Above View

Cactus and Finger Rock

Finger Rock from Above the Canyon Wall

High Up in the Canyon

Beautiful Yellow Wildflowers.

Finger Rock 

Me in front of Finger Rock

Mt. Bigelow, Coronado National Forest

Santa Catalina Mountains,
Pima Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Mt. Bigelow Trail
Kellogg Trail
Butterfly Trail

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Amazing drive to trailhead, great views and nice forest
Cons: Towers on top take away from the natural setting

I was in Tucson, Arizona, and decided to take a hike near Mount Lemmon high in the Santa Catalina Mountains. I had been to the Catalina Highway many years ago, and wanted to make a return trip with a hike in the area. (I think the Catalina Highway is one of the most scenic roads in the country.) Since I was busy with work, I could not do a long hike, so this was the perfect size for something short, yet with a good climb, and including a drive up Catalina Highway.

I parked at the Mt. Bigelow trailhead, and took the trail up to the Kellogg Trail, and then to the summit. The climb is about 600 feet in elevation gain to the summit by the towers. There are great views as you ascend, and the area is nicely forested with pine. At the summit I used a shortcut trail to cut down around the loop and back to the junction with the Butterfly Trail, and took the Butterfly Trail down a short distance past the norther ridge to the area where there was still some snow. I then turned around and took the Bigelow Trail back down to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Plaque About the Forest at the Trailhead 

Pine Trees at the Beginning of the Hike

Interesting Rock Formation

Pine Forest

Butterfly Trail Marker

Mt. Lemmon Summit from Mt. Bigelow

Nice View Facing North

View of the Desert Blue

Trail Marker at the Mt. Bigelow Summit

Me at the Trail Marker at Bigelow Summit 

Butterfly Trail Descending the Northern Slope of Bigelow Mountain

Forested Area and Desert. Note the Snow on the Trail in the Distance

Panning East from the Bigelow View

View from Mt. Bigelow, Facing Southeast

View from Mt. Bigelow, Facing South

Forested Area Below Bigelow Summit, Facing South

Zoomed South Towards Thimble Peak

Forest Below Mount Bigelow

Desert on the Northern Flank of the Catalinas

Snow on the Butterfly Trail

Northern Flank of Bigelow Mountain 

Me on the Snowy Bigelow Trail, in Short Sleeves

Mt. Bigelow Summit and Towers in the Distance

Pontatoc Canyon Trail

Pontatoc Canyon Trail
Pusch Ridge Wilderness,
Santa Catalina Mountains,
Pima Co., Arizona

Hiking Trails: Pontatoc Canyon Trail

Total Time: 1:15 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points of Interest: Mountains, Desert, and Cactus
Pros: Beautiful Desert Hike
Cons: Houses at trailhead take away from the natural feel

I had traveled out West to Arizona and California during February, and I took some time at the end of the day to take a nice but short hike in the Santa Catalina Mountains. These mountains are large and full of large saguaro cactus. The sun set at the end of the hike, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

I parked at the  trailhead on Alvernon Way, and took the Pontatoc Canyon Trail about 2/3 of the way, a little bit after where it crosses the stream. (I wanted to take it further to the end, but ran out of time as I was racing against the sunset.) The stream was mostly dry but had sporadic trickles and pools. Upon realizing how dark it was getting I turned around and headed back the same way.

Map of the Route

At the Trailhead

Santa Catalina Mountains Desert Scene.
Note the Sharp Blue Sky in this Picture and the One Below

Large Saguaro Cacti

A Pool of Water in the Stream

This is a Fascinating Picture:
There is a Hummingbird Atop the Bush.
I had to Block the Sun with a Cactus to get this Shot

Looking in the Direction Of Finger Rock

Sunset Between Two Sagauro Cacti

Sonoran Desert Sunset

The Sun Setting Drenching the Mountains with Warm Color.
The Color is Natural and not Enhanced.

Saguaro Cactus in a Desert Sunset

I Love this Moon Show with the Full Moon Rising 

Another Moon Shot Over the Desert