Tuesday, November 23, 2010: Sendero-Esperanza Trail

   

   The Sendero-Esperanza Trail is located in the portion of Saguaro National Park that lies to the west of Tucson (Tuscon Mountain District). From the trailhead on Golden Gate Road it rises 500' to the Hugh Norris Trail, then descends 500' to the Mam-a-Gah picnic area at the intersection of Kings Canyon Trail — a distance of 3.2 miles. We ate lunch at the picnic area before making the return trek. The flora was nearly identical to that of our hike on the David Yetman trail, which is only a few miles away. However, on the drive out, we came across an erect but totally desiccated Saguaro, a perfect scarecrow if the Park Service would let you move it.

Our Traveling Kitchen & Herb Garden

   For dinner we grilled thick, juicy lamb chops and served them over Pat’s white beans seasoned with fresh rosemary and basil (harvested from the herb garden that travels with us). Accompanied by tender grilled asparagus and a dry Rhone red, the chops were perfect. The lamb was preceded by a lively 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Tom and Kathleen Maas’ Pear Valley Winery and succeeded by a crisp garden salad.