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Memorial Day Hike: Mt. Lemmon Summit to Catalina State Park (Part 4)

By Mike Jones

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

June 05, 2008 12:57 PM

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Mesquite highlighted by the setting sun in a canyon on the back side of Mt. Lemmon,Tucson, AZ If I could have paid to have a helicopter pick me up and fly me out, I would have given it serious con-sideration.

The only way out (other than walking) would have been rescue by mules, and that would have made the newspaper!

My legs weren't obeying my mental commands, and the pace slowed considerably as a result.

My compadres rallied to my aid, and I found out what real teamwork is all about. Wade carried my pack above his own. Jim and I found that I could step down without falling if he went before me, and allowed me to steady myself with my left hand on his shoulder before taking that next excruciating step down.

Romero Pools between Mt. Lemmon and Catalina State Park It was downhill, and down again. Always down. By this point, we knew darkness would overtake us hours before we completed the hike. Wade called his college-age son Josh and asked him to hike up to an area called Romero Pools to meet us.

Josh brought head lamps for each of us, more Gator Ade, and burritos. When we arrived at the pools, he had a cheerful fire going, and we rested for more than half an hour before hiking out the last two hours to the parking lot. 17 hours, start to finish--we got to the cars at midnight.

The headlamps were a blessing; this rattlesnake was enjoying the darkness in the middle of the trail near Romero Pools until we surprised him with the flash of the camera.

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.

Think of me as your local expert.

Memorial Day Hike: Mt. Lemmon Summit to Catalina State Park (Part 3)

Memorial Day Hike: Mt. Lemmon Summit to Catalina State Park (Part 2)

Memorial Day Hike Down Mt. Lemmon to Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona (Part 1)

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Kent Simpson

Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ

Real Estate Is About People

But at the end of the whole thing, Mike--the important thing was that you did it...and that it was worth it all! Good going, senhor!

Jun 05, 2008 01:05 PM

Don Rogers

Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO

Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Good evening Mike, Glad you surprised the rattler and him not rattle you. There are only two kinds of snakes IMHO, a good dead one and a dead good one.

Another good post my friend.

Don R.

Jun 05, 2008 01:27 PM

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Hi Mike,
I went back and read from the beginning of you adventure. Have you recovered and what did you learn? The photos are beautiful.

Jun 05, 2008 01:43 PM

Judy Tuscano

Prudential Verani Realty - Nottingham, NH

NH Real Estate Professional

Mike - I'm relieved to read you made it out without the helicopter or mules. It sounds like you had a real bonding opportunity with your buddies and I love you pics especially the rattlesnake.

Jun 05, 2008 02:08 PM

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

I find anytime I try a new experience I am optimistic about my ability to handle the physical part of it but find out later it might have been good to do a preparation for that much exercise. Glad you made it back with out the ride on the rescue mule.

Jun 05, 2008 02:38 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Beautiful photos, Mike! And I always find the trip down a lot harder and slower than the hike up! And did I say, great photos!

Jun 05, 2008 02:38 PM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Mike: As always GREAT photos--except the one of the rattler (I HATE SNAKES!!) What did you find was wrong? Congratulations on completing the hike and hopefully all is well!

Debe in Charlotte

Jun 05, 2008 03:21 PM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Debe,

All IS well. My legs rebelled at that much work with not nearly enough preparation. The hike was Monday. Tuesday I couldn't stand up from a sitting position without my hiking stick to lean on. Wednesday, I was walking, albeit like a ruptured duck. I went to work. A client asked me if I had just had surgery. Thursday I was okay. Friday I was fine, and Saturday I was thinking about my next hike.

Pat,

Going up is hard on the lungs, but you can stop and rest. Going down is hard on the legs, and in this hike, there was no rest for the weary.

Terry,

I bit off more than I could chew, but it turned out allright.

Judy,

Me, too! The snake was one of two that we saw. We left him alone, and he returned the favor.

Cynthia,

See my first comment in this group; I'm eight pounds lighter, and ready for my next hike. The most satisfying thing about hiking in 2008 is being able to shoot 200 pictures without reloading film. (Showing my age.) What's film?

I learned that my legs are older and wiser than my brain.

Don,

I grew up with snakes as long as 22' as a kid. To this day, I have no desire to kill one; I just give them wide berth.

Kent,

I agree. I've joined the Active Rain Fitness group, and intend to keep on keeping on.

Mike in Tucson

Jun 05, 2008 04:21 PM

Joan Mirantz

Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH

Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Hey...you finished, and in one piece! Good for you! Now don't do it again!!

Jun 05, 2008 04:55 PM

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Joan,

Are you kidding? Where do you think I'll find more great photos? Gotta get out there again. LOL

Mike in Tucson

Jun 05, 2008 05:00 PM

Roberta LaRocca

Simply Vegas Real Estate - Las Vegas, NV

REALTOR®, Broker, Salesperson, NV. Lic BS.507

Mike, I read all four posts. Sounds like you had quite a journey! I guess that will be a hike you never forget!

Jun 05, 2008 07:07 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

Mike, Don't tell Susie that spiders can get inside most any place they want... :)

Glad you made it down and are ready to get back on the horse. You're right, no place like the hard to get to places for beautiful photos.

Jun 05, 2008 10:42 PM

Cheryl Johnson

Highland Park, CA

Nothing like a little adventure....... Glad you've recovered!

Are there more photos? ... maybe a whole flickr gallery you could point us at?

Jun 06, 2008 12:56 AM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

Now that is a snake! Sounds like a great trip!

your friend in Charlottesville!

Jun 06, 2008 01:53 AM

Anonymous

Julie Michael Hodge

Wow! What a great trip! I know how you feel about wishing for a rescue helicopter on one of those hikes....been there, done that.....and probably will do it again because I love the great outdoors. That is a great picture of the snake. I hate snakes.....and I live in the swamp....full of water moccasins! Love to you and Ginny!

Jun 06, 2008 07:13 AM

#15

Mike Jones

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

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Julie,

Thanks for commenting! Keep an eye out for those water moccasins! Love to you, Robert and your girls! Uncle Mike

Charles,

Yes it is! thanks for commenting.

Cheryl,

I don't have a Flickr gallery; guess I need to read up and get one, don't I?

Doreen,

Should we tell Susie that tarantulas in AZ get the size of a man's hand and that they migrate en masse? Better not, I guess...

Oh, Hi, Susie!

No, we didn't see any spiders at all! Come on out and visit!

Roberta,

Thank you for taking the time to read the posts. I'm going to go back and do it again.

Mike in Tucson

Jun 06, 2008 07:38 AM

Kevin Wood,

Keller Williams Southern Arizona - Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ Realtor

Great photos, Maybe we should develop a new nickname for you at BNI. I was thinking shutterbug. Thanks again for introducing Ed to me Thursday. Excellent food too, at Bistro Philippe. Bye for now.

Jun 06, 2008 07:14 PM

Susan Davis

Austin, TX

Excellence Advocate

Love the fire pic Mike. Seems like a wonderful time was had by all.

Susan

Jun 08, 2008 04:02 PM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Mike...Super pictures as always.

I often think that I come on the Rain just as much to hunt around for photos as for the text.