Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) - Mexico

The maximum depth of the Sea of Cortez is roughly 10,000 feet. Located in the southern portion, particularly in the Guaymas trench, the deepest parts are caused by complex plate tectonics.

Site #193

Site #193

La Rancherita

First Water Creek - Tonto National Forest

My hike

Tom's Thumb - McDowell Mountains

I began my hike up to Tom's Thumb at 3:47 PM. From the trailhead it took me 38 minutes to reach Vulture View Scenic Point. That was 1.2 miles. From there it was 11 minutes to Tom's Thumb Junction, and that was 49 minutes from the trailhead, and 1.6 miles from the trailhead. Then it was a 21 minute hike to Tom's Thumb. It took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to get there from the trailhead. My round-trip hike was 4.4 miles, and it took me 2 hours and 18 minutes.

Tom's Thumb is a prominent 140-foot tall Proterozoic granite monolith, formed roughly 1.4 billion years ago. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this quartz-monzonite intrusion stands out due to differential erosion, showcasing jagged, blocky terrain that contrasts with the smoother surrounding metamorphic rocks.

Mushroom Rock Trail to Sky Island - Sedona

I began my hike on the Boynton Canyon Trail at 8:21 AM. After hiking 1.7 miles in 39 minutes I arrived at the unmaintained trail going to Mushroom Rock and Sky Island. Then it was a 1 mile hike to Mushroom Rock. It took me 1 hour and 25 minutes to get there from the Boynton Canyon Trail. After a short break I continued up to the Sky Island. From there it was 0.4 miles to the far end of the Sky Island. It took me 55 minutes to get there. I was 3.1 miles from the Boynton Canyon Trailhead, and it had taken me 2 hours and 55 minutes to get there. After taking lot of photos I started my hike back down. I reached my mini van at 2:05 PM, and I was hot and exhausted. It was 94 degrees. My hike was 6.3 miles round-trip, and it took me 5 hours and 45 minutes. I also encountered a black-tailed rattlesnake.

"Sky Island" is a local term for the high, isolated sandstone finger or butte between Boynton and Long Canyons.