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Basecamp Tips: Mountain Map Bighorn renaissance T h e m a j e s t i c ungulate disap p e a r e d f r o m t h i s r a n g e in t h e late '90s, b u t last November, s t a t e officials relocated 3 0 s h e e p from southwest A r i z o n a t o t h e Pusch Ridge W i l d e r n e s s . The p i l o t s h e e p w e a r s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t GPS collars that t r a n s m i t t h e i r locations i n real-time. Arizona: Santa Catalina Mountai ns The Catalinas tower 6,500 feet above Tucson, providing a cool escape in the summer a n d unlikely snow in the winter. Target these high-desert peaks and canyons to explore a maze of contrasting environments . • Pusch Peak The summit may be rela tively low (5,361 feet) and the hike short (3.9 miles round-trip), but don't let that fool you into thinking this jaunt will be easy. You'll climb 2,700 feet, most of it in a quad-searing 1.5 miles, to horizon-to-horizon views of rumpled ridges. From the trailhead near Oro Valley, take the Linda Vista Trail to the Pusch Peak Trail. Scramble up a 14-foot rock chute, home to brown moun tain patch-nosed snakes (non-venomous), and top out to views of the Santa Rita and Picacho Mountains. • Buttery Tail Calling a l l naturalists: This route travels through a medley of ecosystems with a huge variety of trees and flowers-not to mention big views and, yes, butterflies. D o it as an easy-plan shuttle for a hilly 5.3-miler. From the upper trailhead of Catalina Highway, follow the Butterfly T a i l 2.3 miles as it meanders down a ravine lined in white pine, bracken fern, orange-flowered but terfly weed, and f l y agaric mushrooms with bright red caps and white spots. Near mile 2.5, look for Novio Spring, a shallow crevice lined with round stones and yellow monkey flower. From here, ascend nearly 1,500 feet toward 8,540-foot Mt. Bigelow, then descend .5 mile t o your shuttle car near the Palisade ranger station. • Hutch's Pool Cannonball into a rare oasis, deep and low enough for year-round swimming. It's a popular spot, but enjoy a solitary hike there via the less-used, 6.4-mile (one way) route through East Fork Sabino Canyon. From Hirabiyashi Campground, fol low the Sycamore Reservoir Trail past the remnants of Sycamore Reservoir, now filled with sand. Around mile 5.4, use stepping stones t o c r o s s 20-foot-wide Sabino Creek, then look right for unmarked side trails lead ing.5 mile t o 125-foot-long Hutch's gorge. A waterfall feeds the 15-foot-deep pool ringed by jump-worthy cliffs with a sandy beach at the opposite end. Option: Camp at a small site nearby (no permit needed). • Blackett's Ridge This hike is practically made f o r sunset, with a small climb (2.8 miles) for a big southwest view. Walk .8 mile from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center t o the Phoneline Trail, then head north through a slice o f Sonoran Desert cov ered in lavender, Mexican gold poppy, and 20-foot saguaros. Turn right onto Blackett's Ridge Trail, and gain 1,100 feet in the next mile o n rocky switchbacks adorned with spiky agave shin diggers. The last, steep .4 mile t o the 4,400-foot ridgeline parallels a sheer drop. Watch the sun bathe the 5,323-foot thumb of Thimble Peak to the norh in cotton candy light. Bring a head lamp f o r the hike down. • Lemmon Rock Loop Feel the f u l l effect of a sky island as you drop from the top o f the Catalinas's high e s t peak to a jumble o f mas sive granite boulders o n this 8.3-mile loop. Start at the 9,093-foot trailhead on Mt. Lemmon's flat and forested summit. Descend 1,700 feet in 3.1 miles through ponderosa and Arizona pine t o house-size hoodoos and towering granite piles known as the Wilderness of Rocks (see left). Wander 2 . 3 miles past boulders shaped like giant cairns to Lemmon Rock Trail. The last leg, straight up the side o f Mt. L e m m o n (1,850 feet in 2 miles), brings you back to a forested alpine zone. Detour . 1 mile west to Lemmon Rock Lookout for unob structed drop-off views. Perfec timing Sprmg weather here lasts from late February through April, With little ram and h i g h s around 70°F at the range's b a s e 3 0 B A C K P A C K E R 03.2014