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Desert Sunset Hike in Ironwood National Monument, Arizona

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

December 06, 2009 02:49 PM

Sunset over Ragged Top Mountain, west of Red Rock, AZ

Hill covered with black-crusted granite 13 miles west of Red Rock AZ is the site of numerous petroglyphs That's Ragged Top Mountain in Pima County, AZ. You can get there by taking Sasco Road, a straight ribbon of dirt that passes through some of the most pristine desert you'll ever see. It starts at Interstate 10's Red Rock exit, just south of another of my favorite places, Picacho Peak.

Desert Bighorn Sheep petroglyph image adorns a rock in Pima County, Arizona Petroglyphs

Yesterday, I spent four enjoyable afternoon hours climbing the hills surrounding Ragged Top Mountain, searching for ancient petroglyphs to add to my photo collection.

This Bighorn Sheep Image on the right graced a rock on that hill pictured on the left. I found two other images, one a scorpion, and the other a lizard (below, left.)

Caution: The area is very remote, and you'll have to ford the flowing Santa Cruz River to get there. Don't do this without a four wheel drive vehicle like my Ford Explorer. The water spashed over the hood!

Lizard image, a petroglyph, on a granite boulder

Ancient Indian Culture

These desert scenes aren't any different that they would have been for the ancient ones who lived here centuries ago, and who created these petroglyph images.

I'm glad to walk in the dust of their footsteps.

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
Call me if I can help you or someone you know with a purchase or refi mortgage in Tucson, or anywhere else in the great state of Arizona.

We're completing and funding purchase loans in as little as two weeks.
(520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson 2009

EDIT: Here are some more posts on Petroglyphs in and around Tucson, AZ

saguaro national park west: Tucson's Signal Hill Petroglyphs - 1,000 Year Old Graffiti

saguaro national park west: Unique Architecture: Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area In Tucson's Saguaro National Park West

saguaro national park west: Ancient Bloggers: More On The Petroglyphs At Saguaro National Park West

saguaro national park west: Tucson Estates II: The Community and the Mountain Views Sold the House! (LOCALISM FEATURED)

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Rob Kelly

RE/MAX Alliance - Louisville, CO

Louisville Colorado Realtor

Cool pix Mike! I would like to take my family to your area this summer and enjoy the scenery!

Dec 07, 2009 02:16 AM

Dynamic Page Solutions

Dynamic Page Solutions - Mesa, AZ

Hi Mike,

I was born and raised in Tucson and miss sights like the ones you posted here. Beautiful sunset... although Phoenix is only 100 miles or so West, the sunsets here just don't compare. I'm guessing you've seen the very accessible petroglyphs that exists at Saguaro National Monument West?

Dec 07, 2009 04:25 AM

James Lyon

Vista Pacific Realty - Sacramento, CA

Mike,

You always have really great pictures, what type of camera do you use?

Dec 07, 2009 04:58 AM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Mike, looks like a great December hike! The sunset photo is stunning!

Dec 07, 2009 05:09 AM

Melina Tomson

Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon - Salem, OR

Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.

Outstanding photo Mike. Ugh...just gorgeous.

Dec 07, 2009 05:42 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Melina,

Thanks for stopping by to comment!

Tony & Darcy,

I'm thinking you need a vacation; come on out and visit!

James,

It's a Panasonic Lumix with a 10X optical zoom by Leica. Costco, $200.

Anita,

I sure have. Thanks for asking; I've edited some links into the post (above.)

Rob,

Winter's the time to come visit. Summer temps get above 105.

Allen,

Come on out; please consider this a personal invitation to come and hike with me.

Bruce,

Thanks for saying so!

Anthony,

I think so; I don't have a GPS.

Ron &
Alexandra,

You're welcome! Come visit.

Morgan,

It sounds like the time is right for you to plan a visit to the Old Pueblo.

Joyce,

Yes, it is! See you on your blog.

Mike in Tucson

Dec 07, 2009 07:20 AM

Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

Mike - wow - that sounds like an adventure. I love off road adventures. Love your photographs.

Dec 07, 2009 08:01 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Mike that sounds like my kind of arizona afternoon. Gorgeous sunset - it's amazing how many beautiful ones we have here, isn't it. Thanks for sharing your road trip. Did you post it to the Road Trip group?

Dec 07, 2009 09:04 AM

Michael Bergin

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA

Northern Virginia Real Estate

Mike -

Several year ago we spent a wonder week after Thanksgiving at the Tanque Verde Ranch just east of Tucson and loved every minute of our stay. Your part of the world is very special.

Michael in Alexandria - Northern Virginia's Best Small City

Dec 07, 2009 09:27 AM

Patricia Aulson

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH

Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Nice photo ....thanks for getting it out to us today. I can't immage living in AZ and not having the ocean in my back yard!

I think I'd feel locked in, so to speak.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Dec 07, 2009 10:50 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Fabulous pictures, glad you got to take some time off. Those stick pictures look like I drew them :-)

Dec 07, 2009 11:06 AM

Marian Goetzinger

Pine Knoll Shores Realty 252-422-9000 - Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Crystal Coast Real Estate NC

Mike, living on an island, I sometimes forget how beautiful the desert can be. Thanks for inspiring me to get out my camera and see if I can find a "matching" beauty.

Dec 07, 2009 11:21 AM

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

WOW what a picture. I would walk through some dust for that view. Thanks for sharing you walk

Dec 07, 2009 02:27 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

Like usual, just beautiful. I would also add, don't go out there by yourself, take a friend to share it with!

Dec 07, 2009 02:52 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Mike,That first photo is absolutely stunning. Perhaps a computer wallpaper or greeeting cards to mail out to your clients. Whatever you do, you should do something important with it. I enjoyed reading this post and imagining I was taking that hike with you. Excellent post.

Dec 07, 2009 02:55 PM

Megan Izdebska & Hanna Manoufar Chandler, Scottsdale Real Estate Agent

United Brokers Group - Chandler, AZ

Double Commitment. Double Results.

Great photos Mike. We love climbing too and we have a lot of great trails here as well.

Dec 07, 2009 03:28 PM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Mike I always look forward to you taking me on a tour and I am never disappointed. What a lovely sunset.

Still looking for a photo from the 80's....

Dec 07, 2009 11:03 PM

Mike Hendren

Mike Hendren Photography - Cloudcroft, NM

Awesome sunset, MIke! I'm glad to see that the scavengers (human type) haven't made off with those ancient petroglyphs - that's great that you can just go find those things out there.

Mike

Dec 09, 2009 01:51 AM

Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Mike,

It's really remote, and the folks that enjoy the trek keep an eye out. (Plus, it's a felony to remove cultural stuff from the Monument.)

Jennifer,

I always look forward to your comments, so that works pretty well for both of us. I'm still expecting you to find an 80's photo for my post.

Megan & Hanna,

Blog about it, and I'll come check out your favorite hikes.

William,

You're welcome any time! Plan a trip east to Tucson, and we'll go hiking together. Bring a friend.

Doreen,

Get a few folks together and come on down. We'll go exploring.

Terry & Bonnie,

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Marian,

I'll be by to check out your blog.

Lyn,

They look good for being 800 years old, don't they?

Patricia,

We do miss the water...

Michael,

The Tanque Verde Ranch is a great destination. Call me next time you're in town.

Anna Banana,

Thanks for telling me about the Road Trip group. I'll find it and join up.

Sharon,

Thanks for saying so. Come back soon.

Mike in Tucson

Dec 10, 2009 08:54 AM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Mike, Jay Lieberman sent me over with his entry about you and your localism posts about your spot in AZ for my Virtual Traveller contest. I have to say that I'm SO glad to have found you! How very cool on so many levels...what you experienced and shared, the actual trip (through your eyes) and the PHOTOS!

I have visited Arizona, especially Sedona and fell in love. Such a different climate than my Fishhawk Lake and Oregon areas. I have snowbirds that end up down there then come here for the spring/summer/fall months.

Sep 21, 2013 04:52 AM