2025-01-03

We are hiking in the Tortolita Mountains. The first part of the story it here:
…We explore several minor wash canyons that cross the trail.


We are hiking in the Tortolita Mountains. The first part of the story it here:
…We explore several minor wash canyons that cross the trail.

We’re taking a back road off of a dirt road that travels along the Pima County line’s north side. It should lead us to a mountain bike trail that heads into the Tortolita Mountain County Park.

It is familiar, it used to be in what I considered my back yard, a big backyard. I have taken this trail from the south many times, it is easy to find, a shot just past the windmill landmark.
See “Naked to the County Line”:
This time we’re coming in from the north, through a foothills of misleading dry flood washes. It is not clearly marked. The last time, I misread the landmarks and ended up in an entirely different area.

During that hike, we looked and looked for possibilities for the trailhead, or the correct wash as seen from a satellite photo. We thought that we found it as the sun set. Now, I hope to find it again.
To continue, you’ll probably have to go down to the button labeled page #2, until I can get “Classic Editor to work again.
During the summer of 2023, we spent a month in retreat, glamping in the bell tent in a wilderness area of the Arizona White Mountains. We hiked or walked each day. This was one….

We have been out in this forest by ourselves for long enough to feel very comfortable nude. Nude is our norm. However, each evening we’ve bundled up, or lit the wood burning stove in our glamping bell tent. Often we’ll just cuddle in the luxury of a cozy bed. The need for clothing has been caused by an onslaught of determined mosquitoes just before each sunset, which necessitate textile armor from head to toe. Generally, things have been lovely enough that most of our time has had no consideration of coverings, save the shade of a friendly tree.
During our stay, we might have only seen a quad, or an ATV passing during the day, enabling us to roam freely and unconcerned. However, the Fourth of July weekend crowds are upon us. This day, we will find ourselves heading out into the more populated areas, but still determined to stay nude. We’re not here to have hassles, which are unlikely; we’re not here to be seen. We may use stealth tactics to stay out of sight. We just want to explore in the pleasant natural state that we have become accustomed to.
We took a hike and sat in a meditative session in a canyon in the Huachuca Mountains, this day. That story can be found here and in Part2:
Oversite Canyon Day I
After the day’s wandering, we ponder about the mysteriously weird behavior of those two intrusive guys. They had parked down the road at the base of the turnoff to our camp, but we aren’t sure what drew them to park there. Perhaps they left clues.
The day still feels young, even though it is winding down. We can see that the sun is nearer to setting, as we look through the tree’s canopy. We decide to take a stroll in this idyllic weather. It will be a short walk before eating. We won’t need anything, just shoes to glide over the loose sticks and stones…and a camera.
The two track road rambles through the taller trees. It gently waves up and down to the dictates of the contours of the little ravines that head toward the creek bottom at the center of the canyon.
It is not long before we are at the intersection, and then soon there is a turn off heading downhill, or downstream toward a wood stack rail fence. It looks rustic and authentic. Long pieces of mesquite have been stacked in between two posts of similar material. It has been a corral. It is still together. The tire tracks of the two guy’s SUV lie in a patch of dust.

We begin to explore, to see if the ranching still functions. It is capable, but not being used today. We mosey across the tall grass fields to see what is there. From here, we can see in the distance from the base of this pair of canyons confluence. For miles, the easy slope of the bajada fans out before us.
We are up a favorite canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. We just explored an old homestead in ruins, speculating about life here a long time ago. Now, we’ll learn a little more about those days.
Just a bit further, there is a water source in the creek bed.

It is now thick in reeds, a lovely riparian spot.

We’re heading down to the Huachuca Mountains again. This time not up high on the spine, but nestled down below in the foothills of scrub oak forests. We’re looking for a short retreat away from it all in a remote canyon.

Near the turnoff, the Border Patrol has a couple of fellows in custody as we drive by. This has always been a smuggling corridor. Lots of propaganda has been created in recent years about bands of thieving murdering alien people along the border. Contrary to the media ingrained fear, smugglers are busy with their own business, wishing to be in stealth and those whom they guide are focused on a better life and getting out of the border region as soon as possible. They avoid everybody. I’d suppose that our desire for minding our own naked business with stealth corresponds in some ways. A better life is many things to many people.
The old two track road into the hills is looking very ragged.

It has been a while and I don’t feel familiar with it. I decide to turn around and try a quiet spot that I know. It will be a longer walk, but seems just right today.
