I had a very different hiking experience today from yesterday. I headed for the Ventana Canyon Trail, which is about a 30 minute drive from the house. The trailhead starts behind the Ventana Canyon Resort, which Bob and I enjoy visiting while in Tucson. However, he and I have never hiked this trail, so I wanted to give it a shot.
I started earlier today, about 7:50, as it was a non-running day. In looking at the trail map as I started, I noticed that you couldn’t make the different trails into a loop, as I did yesterday. I would need to come back the way I went out. I decided I’d try to go an hour out and then see if I wanted to continue or turn back. I’m sad to say, I only made it 50 minutes out before I turned back. I ended up losing the trail at that point at the 9th water crossing!
I guess the good news is that this hike clarified for me what I most enjoy about hiking — moving my body in beautiful scenery that I am able to enjoy. I was able to do some of that, but it was a slow slog with having to watch my footing on all of the water crossings. My water bottle fell out of my backpack at one point (recovered), and a prickly branch grabbed the hat off my head (also recovered), so it was definitely not my finest hour, but it was still nice to be out (though likely won’t be heading back to that trail soon).
More hikes to come, I hope.
Peckish Travels 