Posts Tagged ‘Animals’

Where is the rain?

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

It’s been a long time since we have seen any rain around here, and it’s starting to take its toll on everything. I feel like I’m drying out just like everything else here in the desert. The leaves have started to turn on the Cat Claw Acacia and Mesquite trees, the Rubber Bush and Ocotillo’s have shed their leaves, the sages and Brittle Bush desintergrate when you touch them and the Saguaros have slimmed down, even the animals look thirsty.

This is a good time of the year though, great temps and plenty of sun. If we could only get a little rain to knock the dust down and firm up the trails then everything would be perfect. We also need some rain for the spring flowers. So lets keep our fingers crossed and do a rain dance.

I would also like to wish Mr. Barker good luck on his new road to ride. See you on the dirt and dusty trails.

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Watch Out For Snakes

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Just a quick reminder that the snakes are coming out to fatten up for winter. This time of the year is really busy as the snakes are starting to prepare for their hibernation. I have already seen 4 rattle snakes this week, and we’re not even to the weekend yet. So if you are hiking or riding, keep your eyes open for the potential snake. Remember that they are cold blooded, and will be trying to stay warm through the cooler nights. So sometimes they’ll be coiled up on rocks or sunny bits of trails. They will also be hiding out in bushes and shrubs, so keep your hands and feet where you can see them. And if you happen to come across a snake, leave it alone! They won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.

Be safe.

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The Morning Hike

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

In an effort to better promote the Sunrise and Sunset Hike offered at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Southwest Trekking has been making an effort to take out the resort staff on the hiking trails in the Tucson Mountain Park. With the Lorane Lee Hidden Canyon and Bowen Trail heads literally 200 yards from the front door, the JW Marriott Resort and Spa has some of the best on site hiking found in Tucson. 

Southwest Trekking offers a complementary one hour Sunrise (departing at 7:00am) and Sunset (departing at 5:00pm) Hike to all guests staying at the resort.  Depending on group size and ability, we will either hike the Bowen or Lorane Lee Hidden Canyon trail.  Both hikes offer stunning views of the amazingly rich Sonoran Desert and a knowledgeable guide to explain the unique fauna and flora found in the region.  The morning hike allows guests the chance to start their day with some fresh air and exercise, while the Sunset Hike offers a chance to view the setting sun in a truly scenic setting.

This morning, I had the opportunity to take Steve, the concierge from the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, out on the morning hike.  Steve was ambitious and I was itching to get in a little walk, so we were able to make it out to the stone house located 1.5 miles in on the Bowen Trail.  It was Steve’s first time seeing the stone house, and I’m quite sure he was as impressed as I was the first time I saw it.  We had a nice morning exchanging interesting facts about the city of Tucson and the Sonoran Desert while strolling through some of the most amazing stands of Saguaro Cactus found in the area.  It was an eye opener for Steve as to how accessible and immense the trail system is out in the Tucson Mountain Park, and how diverse the vegetation is along the entire hike. 

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see any animals this morning, save for a few trail runners and one dog, but it’s not uncommon to spot some Javalina, Mule Deer, and coyote on the trails in the early morning.  Steve mentioned that he could now understand why having a guide was important and beneficial to the guests; not only do we know where we are going, but we can also explain some of the interesting characteristics of the Sonoran Desert.  This was the whole reason for taking the staff out on the trails, so they could actually know how amazing the hiking is located at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa.  I took this as a success.  

As more and more hotel staff start joining us on the morning hikes, I’m sure we’ll see the popularity of the hike go up.  And the reason is simple, once you get to experience this amazing desert, you can’t stop talking about it.  If you are staying at the JW Marriott in Tucson, I encourage you to join us for one of our complementary hikes.  It’s also important to remember that there is amazing mountain biking right out the front door of the hotel as well.  If you ride, or want to ride, talk to a Southwest Trekking guide when you check in for more information.

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Rattlesnake Lookout

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

It’s finally starting to cool off in the Southwest. 105 degree days are now replaced with 90, and the evenings are drying up and cooling off. Soon, we will be in our fourth season, fall (some might not know this, but the Sonoran desert really has five distinct seasons; spring, summer, monsoon, fall and winter).

As our temps start to fall and the rain stops falling, certain animals will start preparing to hibernate. One such creature is the Rattlesnake. They will be trying desperatly to fill their bellies to capacity, and prepare for their long hibernation. These reptiles will be especially active during the evening and into the night as they hunt rabbits, rodents and small antelope squirles. So watch out!

Rattlesnakes can only strike if coiled up, and can usually strike about 2/3 of their body length, which means an adult snake about 5 ft. long will be able to strike just under 3 ft.. Most of the time the snake will be trying to ‘flee’ from you as they percive us as a threat, but they do sometimes coil and rattle their tails as a warning. If they do this, and you still can’t stay a few feet away from the snake, then I question who is to blame?

A few things you can do to avoid any unpleasent encounters are rather easy: 1. Don’t try and handle any snakes you see, 2. Don’t stick your hands where you can’t see then like in bushes or holes, 3. Look where you feet are going and see whats on the other side of a rock or tree before you blindly place your foot there, and 4. Don’t try and handle any snake you see. 

Just be on the lookout and you’ll be fine.  Let the snakes be.

Happy Trails.

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Weather

Friday, August 27th, 2010

It was raining this morning, and that was a real treat. I even got to use my windshield wipers!

As these monsoon storms roll into town, animals break their nocturnal cycle, insects and mosquitoes start to emerge, and washes begin to flood. Here in the desert, flash flooding and cloud to ground lightning are common occurrences during our intense summer storms. There are a couple things you can do to stay safe during the monsoon season.

  • Watch the weather, and keep an eye on the sky.  These monsoon storms build quickly, and often with little warning.  Always better to see it coming then being caught by surprise.
  • If it’s raining, or looks like it may be raining somewhere in the distance, stay out of washes or dry riverbeds.  As water sheds off of hills and collects in canyons and riverbeds, it will move down hill at rather fast speeds.  There sometimes can be a literal wall of water that contains debris such as stones and vegetation which can cause serious damage.  It doesn’t need to be raining on you, often times it’s when a localized thunder storm up hill from you that will cause a wash to fill. 
  • Lightning is probably the most dangerous element to you.  Our summer monsoons are often very busy with electrical activity.  I’m sure you have seen what happens when a tree or cactus is struck by lightning, and we wouldn’t want that to happening to us.  If you hear thunder, than you are at risk of lightning strikes and it doesn’t even need to be raining.  If you are caught in a storm, try and seek shelter in a low laying place.  Avoid tall objects such as buildings, trees, and Saguaro’s.  If you have any metal objects on you like a water bottle, watch, or jewelry, you should remove those items and store them somewhere away from where you’ll be seeking shelter as the metal can conduct electricity. 

The monsoon season is a wonderful time of the year, with vegitation and animals both taking a much needed drink in this very dry desert.  It is a great time to get out and expierience the natural world, just be wise and carful when it comes to our storms.  Happy trails.

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Heating UP

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

As you may have noticed, summer has crept into the desert. Southwest Trekking is a hearty group though, and we still offer guides through these hot months. There are a few options for us to help keep temperatures reasonable. One option is to go really early in the morning, as it can be as much as 40 degrees cooler in the early hours than in the afternoon.   The mornings provide excellent lighting for photography, and a small chance at spotting wild life still up from their nocturnal adventures.

Another option is to go up. By gaining elevation we can enter different ecosystem which provide much cooler temperatures, terrain, and vegetation. Depending on your location, accessing trails off the Mt. Lemmon Highway can be a very rewarding choice.

Finally, we can avoid the sun altogether and do guided trip at night. Not only is the night time cooler, but it is also when our animals start to come out. So not only do you get the amazing experience of zipping around the desert at night in wonderful temperatures, but you also have the chance of seeing some of our relatively elusive wild life. Don’t worry, Southwest Trekking has all the necessary equipment and lights to keep these trip safe and fun.

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