Tucson Mts: Starr Valley Meander

5.5 Miles

RT 700' El gain

Rating: Intermediate

RESTRICTIONS **No dogs, firearms or tobacco

PLEASE consider car pooling with someone so we do not take up the entire parking lot as we did the last time.

NOTE: Links are in BOLD

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/1/4/f/600_455952623.jpeg

Click here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Starr%20Pass%20Meader.jpg) for a larger map. Click here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Starr%20Pass%20Meader%20elevation%20profile.jpg) for an elevation profile.

This will be a leisurely paced hike so we can enjoy the plants, scenery and history of the area.

This hike starts at the western terminus of 36th street where there is a trail head parking lot.The hike starts out by heading due south from the parking area on the 36th Street Trail and shortly thereafter it jogs due west and hugs the hillside above a wash in a steep sided ravine.Immediately we will be in a beautiful cactus forest with large saguaro, barrel, cholla cacti and Palo Verde.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/7/a/f/600_445187023.jpeg

The trail narrows briefly as it squeezes through a tight corridor of park property where we will briefly be in a mesquite forest with lots of young cacti enjoying the shade and protection.

We then pop out of the mesquite and the Starr Valley begins to open up before us. We are now on the northern segment of the Starr Pass Trail.To the south Big Cat mountain looms before us and along with its buddy Little Cat they open the way to Starr Valley via the historic wagon road known as Starr Pass. This was named after a toll road built in 1884 by Richard Starr (http://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-oddity-starr-pass-is-homage-to-stage-driver-not/article_bc7e9d7d-dacd-59a2-8432-d88cfdde28d6.html). The road was originally built for the construction of a telegraph line which was to run to the Quijotoa mines (http://tucson.com/news/local/minetales/mine-tales-quijotoa-boom-years-short-lived/article_38a58c12-b762-5ed9-b7b8-1ba005a10fed.html) 70 miles to the west.The contract for building and equipping the telegraph line, complete and ready for operation, was let to J.A. Browder and Richard Starr at $210 a mile.The historic standard of living value of $210 is an astronomical $5,020.00!

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/7/b/e/600_445187038.jpeg

As we we drop in and out of washes and climb the banks we will have commanding views of the Starr Valley's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ridges. Later on we will get glimpses of Golden Gate Mountain as well as Bren's and Bushmaster peak. All the while we will be hiking through a forest of Saguaros consisting of specimens of all shapes, sizes and ages.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/7/c/f/600_445187055.jpeg

When we get to the Rock Wren trail we will start to climb. Not much, just enough to get your heart rate up a bit and make it interesting.When we reach the high point of our hike near the juncture of the Yetman trail we will stop a while at the Barney Rubble picnic area for a rest break, a bite to eat and take in the scenery.

After the break we will pick up the Yetman Trail and head south to the Valley floor. After descending a section of rocky and rutted road bed we will pick up the Starr Pass Trail for our return to the 36th Street Trail. This last section will allow us more inspiring views of the mountains and ridges both surrounding and in the Starr Valley. The towering Saguaros will now be viewed in the late afternoon sun and the cholla will light up nicely.

Please Bring: 2+ liters of water, food for a snacks/lunch, sun protection.

If you are new to the group please read these:

About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/)
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (http://files.meetup.com/372195/No%20Show%20Policy.pdf)
Hike Rating Scale (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)

Hike at your own risk

If you have questions email me or call me at 304.290.8066 (NO TEXTING)

WV-Mike