Since Sonora was injured, I decided to go trail running in Saguaro National Park. The Eastern District is only a few miles from my house, and yet I had never been there because they don’t allow dogs. Well, this was the perfect opportunity to go check it out.
I got a late start on the first outing, but checked the sunset and twilight times and figured I’d be fine. I decided to run a loop which started at the Broadway Trailhead and included Shantz, Pink Hill, Loma Verde, Cholla, and Cactus Forest Trails. The total mileage, according to the map, is 3.3 miles. I figured I could easily finish under 45 minutes and be done before dark. Well, the trail winds around trees and cactus, goes up & down washes, and is very sandy due to the horses that have come before me (and apparently horses are okay and dogs aren’t). I also kept stopping to take pictures of the mountains, cactus, sunset, and giant jackrabbits. So my progress was a little slower than I thought and by the time I got to the Loma Verde Mine it was twilight.
Fortunately, this Eagle Scout is always prepared, and I had brought my headlamp (as well as a map, compass, matches, and plenty of water). I ended up doubling back along the Pink Hill Trail since completing the loop would have been a longer distance. Of course, hiking out in the dark slowed me down even more, and I heard a pack of coyotes howling like crazy between me and the car. Note to self: if I’m not eaten, get an earlier start next time.
Obviously I made it back safely, so the next time out I followed my own advice and started 45 minutes earlier. This time I ran a complete loop heading south from the Broadway Trailhead on the Cactus Forest Trail and returning north on the Mica View Trail. This loop was a little shorter than the last one at only 2.1 miles. Once again, I was snapping pictures of all the beautiful flora & fauna of the Sonoran desert. I came across another jackrabbit who is probably used to all the hikers and didn’t mind me getting within 10 feet of him.
There’s a really nice trail system through the park with a lot of interconnecting trails, all well-worn and properly signed, i.e. slim chance of getting lost. I think I’ll be occasionally heading back even after Sonora heals… just don’t tell her. 
Enjoy the pictures!
