Eight trailblazers started the 4^th of July holiday early by meeting south of Tucson in the Green Valley/ Sahurarita area on the 3rd. Most of us enjoyed a delicious meal at Manuel’s, complete with mariachis and margaritas and a tear inducing salsa. We then settled in for an early night.

The next day at 5:30 AM, shortly after sunrise, we assembled at the Old Baldy/Super Trailhead and got ready for a long, warm day. The drive on the Old Nogales Highway and then Continental Road into Madera Canyon took 30 minutes from Green Valley, 40 from Sahuarita and was quite pleasant. Two deer ignored us on the slope above the road as they ate their breakfasts. The hike began on the Old Baldy Trail with a 1700 foot climb in 2.3 miles. We had decided to get the shorter, steeper and older trail out of the way first. We were rewarded with shade and breathtaking views of the mine and Green Valley and even Tucson below.

Michelle, Mark, Tamar, Bill, Li, Tom, Kelly, Janet

We then passed turn offs for the Super Trail as well as a trail to Patagonia (16 miles) and began the steeper and seemingly never-ending climb to the Baldy Saddle. Switchback after switchback awaited us and as we climbed above 8000 ft. Lungs were heaving and heart rates rising. Finally, the saddle was in view and we rested in the brisk winds before making the final 0.9 mile, 1000' push to the summit.

A more gradual ascent through a fire-damaged hillside awaited us. Although that fire happened in 2005, the trees had not yet recovered from the damage. Soon after, more switchbacks through the rocky area above the tree line started. Finally, we reached the rocky summit, with 360 degree views, even into Mexico. We had snacks, took a few photos, and even found Trailblazer Carolyn, who had started later than us, ran up the longer trail, and was there with a smile and lots of energy to hike down with us.

The remaining 6 of us relaxed a bit, and then avoided the area of Sahuarita that was preparing for a Fourth of July fireworks celebration by dining at the nearby casino. Food was mostly tasty and satisfying at our early dinner, we saw an Uncle Sam on stilts and then fireworks from our front lawn and none of us had trouble falling asleep that night.

We met at 6:45 at the Bog Springs Campground, across from the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, a mile before and 400 feet of elevation less than the trailhead of the day before. We easily found the trail across from campsite 13 and began our Bog Springs/ Kent Springs balloon loop hike.

After a quick down through a wash, we began our up to the junction of the two trails. We went clockwise onto the Bog Springs Trail with a steady climb up until we reached a small spur trail to Bog Springs. Unlike the springs on Mt. Wrightson, there was actual water here in an oasis of lush trees. We posed for a couple photos and then rejoined the trail for more climbing. We were mostly shaded and a cool breeze welcomed us as we completed the 1600 ft of elevation gain over 2.5 miles After a flatter segment of trail in the trees, we found Kent Spring, which had even more water with a stream flowing down. Here we rested and snacked.

We found the Kent Spring Trail along the stream and began a steep descent past Sylvester Spring and back to the trail junction. The last mile was warm and rocky and dusty, a change from the greenery of the early morning. After 3 hours and 5 miles, we reached the campground again.

From here, Mark and Michelle continued their Southern Arizona adventure, getting ready to explore the Arizona Trail and more, and the rest of us headed for showers, grub, and then back to the valley. It was an exhausting and exhilarating few days of hiking in Madera Canyon and a great way to celebrate the birthday of America.