December 18, 2020 hike: Finger Rock Canyon to the top of Mount Kimball.
Such a hard hike - endless tough climbing and scary cliff side sections for this somewhat vertigo-inclined hiker. However, so worth it, as the views from the trail and the top are great in many places. And, it is an incredible workout.
There were fairly significant burnt out areas, especially near the top, per the fourth slide from the end. Still, the trees are recovering fast, especially the oaks, as can be seen from the foliage at the base of the burnt trees. The oaks and other plants seem to have several ways to deal with fire including tough bark and an ability to regenerate from below the soil surface.
I got a surprise at the top. A very large black bird was on a ledge at the top of Mount Kimball and it took off, soared and did roller coaster dives and climbs. I think it might have been a golden eagle (they can look black) given the huge body size and wings and the fact that it was high in the mountains (a favoured habitat, apparently). It appeared to be part of a pair, as another one was soaring nearby.
Photo 1 shows the lower trail early in the day looking up at Finger Rock. This is typical lower desert vegetation at aboutn 3,000 feet altitude.
Photo 2 was taken inside the canyon fairly low down. Desert vegetation still dominates (note the Saguaros studded up the mountainside). This also shows the typical very steep canyon walls seen in much of Finger Rock Canyon.
Photo 3 was taken about half way up the canyon, looking down the canyon just after noon on a beautiful winter day. You can see some fire damage in the foreground, but also regrowth. The rock formations that make up the canyon walls are also spectacular. Tucson lies just beyond the canyon, bounded by the the Tucson Mountains in the background to the west.
Photo 4 was taken from the Mount Kimball summit (altitude 7,258 feet) looking east across the front side of the Catalina mountains. The nearby canyon to the east is Ventana Canyon and the peaks beyond are the sub-peak and the main peak of Window Peak. There is a trail linking the Finger Rock Canyon trail to the Ventana Canyon trail and another trail linking the Ventana Canyon trail to the Esperero Canyon trail further to the east.
Photo 5 shows the significant fire damage near the top of the ridge separating the front and back sides of the front range of the Catalinas near the eastern flank of Mt. Kimball. You can see that the forest is completely burned, but also that many of the burned trees have sprouted new growth from below the soil level. This appears to be a fairly common survival technique of the Sonoran desert plants, and especially the Arizona Oak. I encountered severe burn areas near the mountain ridges throughout the Catalinas. It appears that the fire swept over these ridges and destroyed much of the vegetation, temporarily, whereas fire damage was much more sporadic lower down.
Photo 6 was taken about one-quarter to one-third down from the top. This is still very high country, where one rarely encounters other hikers. This is looking at the mountain-top rock structure on the east side of the high canyon. It is quite steep here with very dramatic views. Notice the mixed burned, recovering and untouched trees in this area.
Photo 7 was taken around three-quarters of the way down, near where the trail leaves the steep mountain side climb and enters the relatively flat lower-canyon creek section. The picture looks east with the setting sun reflecting on the eastern side of the canyon showing the beautiful saguaros and other vegetation. The orange cast of the light is typical for the late afternoon at this time of year.
Photo 8 was taken at the end of the hike, near the mouth of the canyon in the setting sun. This shows the spectactular rock formations and cacti. The sun was warm, despite night nearing and the fact that it was close to the winter solstice, making for a perfect end to the hike.
Once again, a great day, with excellent weather and beautiful mountains.
Hike stats: 10.2 miles with over 4,100 feet of vertical to a peak of 7,258 feet in 6.5 hours.
