Spring ARA - Gardner Canyon

The Arizona Regional Association (ARA) is composed of cavers in Arizona. The ARA meets three times per year.

Finger Rock Trail and Pontatoc Trail Loop - Santa Catalina Mountains

This hike starts in saguaros and climbs through the Upper Sonoran Zone into a habitat of yucca, live oak, juniper, Mexican pinyon pine, and agave.

I began my hike on the Finger Rock Trail at 11:21 AM, and I reached Linda Vista Saddle at 2:06 PM. It had taken me 2 hours and 44 minutes. The elevation at the saddle is approximately 5,700 feet. I started back down the Pontatoc Trail at 2:20 PM. It took me 2 hours and 6 minutes to get down and back to my car. 

Miller Peak - Huachuca Mountains

I started my hike at 7:56 AM, at Montezuma Pass, and it took me 4 hours and 47 minutes to hike to the 9,466-foot summit of Miller Peak. First, it took me 3 hours and 35 minutes to reach the junction of the Lutz Canyon Trail. That was 3.8 miles from the trailhead at an elevation of 8,618 feet. Next, was the Miller Peak Trail junction. That was 0.8 miles. It took me 46 minutes to get there. The elevation was 9,081 feet. From there it was 0.4 miles to the summit. Then after 32 minutes of hiking I stood on the summit at 12:46 PM. It took me 4 hours and 47 minutes to reach the top. Then I headed back to Montezuma Pass at 1:25 PM. I got back to my car at 3:55 PM. My hike was 9.9 miles round-trip, and it took me 7 hours and 59 minutes. The elevation gain was 2,995 feet.

Greater short-horned lizard