We've had some wild monsoon storms the last few days in Arizona. We desperately needed the rain, but not the damaging winds, which toppled big trees in downtown Tucson last week. Here's the view of rain falling over the Tucson Mountains from my front courtyard. The last few nights we've all been waking up to thunder, lightning and steady rain.
But the monsoon really hit the Grand Canyon (five hours north of me) hard over the weekend, with a raging flash flood tearing through some of the most popular hiking areas, ripping out bridges and buildings. Dozens of hikers had to be evacuated by helicopter, about 15 are still missing, and there have been two confirmed deaths so far. The water pipeline that supplies the tourist hotels and restaurants on the South Rim was destroyed, so those people also had to leave. It's not know how long they will be closed.
Meanwhile, it was over 100 degrees all last week in Tucson, so four of us went up to Mt. Lemmon to hike where it's about 20 degrees cooler at almost 9,000 feet.
It's a whole different world! So green and cool with massive evergreens instead of the desert's giant saguaros. This is a Douglas fir below. I couldn't get the whole tree in one picture.
Little berries and mountain wildflowers added spots of color to the green. The red berries are on a mountain ash and the white ones are snow berries (if my iPhone is correct).
Delicate yellow columbine was plentiful, as were the daisy-like fleabane flowers.
The orange one is a blanket flower, in the sunflower family.
This tiny white flower with delicate purple lines is a Richardson's geranium. The yellow one is a golden columbine.
This stump was also a work of art! Hikers have decorated it with sticks, pinecones, moss, rocks, and even a penny deep inside the hollow area. I wonder if any little forest creatures seek shelter there.
It was a very short hike, but the elevation made it a little tiring so we were glad to get to the Iron Door for cold drinks and lunch. Then the short hike back to the car was all downhill!
Have a colorful day
3 comments:
I wondered if the flash flooding in the Grand Canyon was the same storm that passed over your area. Love that hiking in cooler woods with all those beautiful wildflowers. I'm guessing the altitude would do me in.
So glad you could do this hike and enjoy the contrast with your home landscape. A cance to appreciate the differences. We have had a very hot summer, although Placentia has not topped 99F. How I long for Oregon's lush green environs. If I saw a Douglas fir I would hug it!! Be safe. 🤪🐕❤️
They predicted we would have a wetter than normal monsoon season, and I think it's hit you down south harder than us in the north. I think the flooding in the Grand Canyon is worse since they had the fire - was it last year or the year before? All the burn debris and damage to the soil plus heavy rains is a recipe for disaster. I'm glad you were able to get in a nice hike with cooler temps after such a hot summer!
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