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Sunday Hike in Madera Canyon: Tucson Will Surprise You!

By
Mortgage and Lending with SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) NMLS 223495

Picture perfect cottage in Madera Canyon

Elephant Head, a granite upthrust south of Green Valley, AZ

You wouldn't think to find this cottage near Tucson. 

It looks more like something you would find in the European Alps.

The city of Tucson has a program called "Tucson Will Surprise You!"  It's true.  There are hidden gems in and around this 1,000,000 plus population that you just wouldn't expect.  But I digress...

I hiked in Madera Canyon yesterday afternoon, driving out from the trailhead at sunset.  The cottage in the photo is halfway up the canyon toward the trailhead, and although it's usually open, this July 4th weekend must have been an owner's holiday.

There are more than twenty miles of trails up, over and around Mt. Wrightson (Old Baldy) and the surrounding peaks.  South of Madera Canyon road, the setting sun painted Elephant Head in shades of blue, while the northerly part of the Santa Rita range featured the rising full moon.

Moonrise over the Santa Rita Mountains just south of Tucson, AZ

It was a magical hike, one I'm sure you would enjoy.  Call me for directions if you're planning a vacation in greater Tucson.  The trailhead is at elevation 5,000, so it's a cool hike for summertime.  If you go all the way to the top, you'll gain nearly another mile in elevation.

 ___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Call me
if I can help you with a purchase or refi mortgage;
(520) 349-9090

Photos copyright Mike in Tucson

Comments (24)

Ann Heitland
Retired from RE/MAX Peak Properties - Flagstaff, AZ
Retired from Flagstaff Real Estate Sales

Beautiful pictures.

Jul 06, 2009 02:17 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I love that cottage nestled in the mountains...who would have known!

Jul 06, 2009 02:25 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Sally,

Isn't that unusual?  I love that place!

Ann,

Thanks for commenting, and for the link this morning about rainwater harvesting.

Mike in Tucson

Jul 06, 2009 03:10 PM
Brian Lee Burke
Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO
Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Mike - you just get some amazing colors (and gems) around there - so beautiful. ~Rita

Jul 06, 2009 04:24 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Rita,

We're blessed.

Mike in Tucson

Jul 06, 2009 07:35 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Mike,

You sohow off your little corner of the world very well in both pictures and words.  Thank you for sharing AZ. with us.

Jul 06, 2009 10:50 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

More beautiful and inspiring photos!  You are quite the photographer.  It takes a special eye for the photos you take!

Jul 06, 2009 11:45 PM
Stanton Homes
Stanton Homes - New Home Builder - Raleigh, NC
Design/Build Custom Home Builder in North Carolina

I love early morning hikes!  And I think you must know where all the best AZ walks are - you've got a great eye for natural splendor.

Jul 07, 2009 12:03 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

ToulaRosebrock,comHi Mike:

Tucson looks beautiful...

What unbelieveable sunsets!

Jul 07, 2009 12:18 AM
Susie Blackmon
Ocala, FL
Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

Love that little cottage! It would make a cute horses and Cowboy Christmas shoppe! Thanks Mike.

Jul 07, 2009 02:47 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

What an enchanting and intriguing cottage!  Are you sure you weren't a travel writer/illustrator in another life? :)

Jul 07, 2009 04:28 AM
Darin Osenberg
Funky Quail Vintage - Nashville, TN

I now bring a camera EVERYWHERE I go thanks to you Mike!

In fact, on my way into work this morning...I took pictures that will be in my upcoming blog!

Thanks for the motivation!

D

Jul 07, 2009 05:16 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Darin,

That makes me smile!  I guess I'm the Johnny Appleseed of visual blogging!

Carol,

I don't know that I ever had another life.  I do expect to continue this one beyond my earthly existence, however.  Thanks for commenting!

Susie,

I'm thinking you'd want to be the shop-keeper.  It would be a good fit!

Toula,

It certainly is!  You'll just have to come visit.

Penny,

"Natural Splendor."  That's a good way to put it!  Thanks for stopping by; I haven't seen you here for awhile.

Sharon,

Thanks for the encouragement.

Don,

You're most welcome!  Come visit any time.

Mike in Tucson

Jul 07, 2009 05:49 AM
Michael and Cheron Lange
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
Associate Broker, GRI

By the pictures Mike, you were not kidding, Tucson looks magical.  Some day...I know I keep saying it, but I need to take a road trip to Tucson!

Cheron Lange

Jul 07, 2009 05:51 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Cheron,

When you and Michael head this way, please let me know in advance.  We'll show you the town.

Mike in Tucson

Jul 07, 2009 08:20 AM
AZ Mortgage Broker: Michael George
Arizona Wholesale Mortgage Inc. - Phoenix, AZ
AZ Mortgage Rates

Thanks for showing the rest of the world just how gorgeous our state really is.  Also Mike, thanks for always supporting Karen.  I never thanked you for that.

Jul 07, 2009 11:17 AM
Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

How many rattlers do you see on a hike in Tucson? I would have to guess that proper boots are required for your safety.

Jul 07, 2009 01:10 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Larry,

The biggest rattler I've seen wasn't in Arizona.  It was in New Jersey.  I haven't seen my first rattler yet this year, unless you count the one that lives in my back yard under the boulder.

Michael,

You're most welcome.  I'm glad you keep up the blog.  I'm still a subscriber.  And congratulations for hitting the 100K milestone!

Mike in Tucson

Jul 07, 2009 02:08 PM
Paula Swayne
Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA
Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Mike!
Those are spectacular photos...but I have to say, it looks like you were hiking in the dark! That would scare the pants off me!

Jul 07, 2009 05:14 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Paula,

I wasn't hiking in the dark, although I do that often.  I left the mountain just at sunset, and that's when I took the evening photos.  Thanks for commenting!

Mike in Tucson

Jul 08, 2009 02:15 AM