The four of us started our hike through the hills, making our way down the trails and along the river. We made our first crossing of the river at a bridge and proceeded towards our ultimate viewing sight. When we got to our second crossing, things became a little more difficult. There were no more bridges, and the river crossings required us to wade through knee deep water, navigating rocks to reach the other side. This was where we lost Gail, leaving her behind as she opted not to cross the river and instead stay behind and wait for us here.

Tara, Jay and I continued our hike, crossing the river several more times along the way. The hike itself wasn’t too bad, but it was the crossings that were challenging and time consuming. Each time we crossed, we had to take our shoes and socks off before carefully making our way across the river. This usually meant fighting the current while trying to maintain our footing across the rocky lake bottom. Each crossing seemed to get more progressively harder.

By the time we reached the eighth and final crossing, Tara had decided that she had enough and ended her hike at this point, leaving Jayden and I as the last two to soldier on. After the final crossing the trails got a bit more challenging as well, as we quickly climbed up the side of a mountain with little more than a drop-off on one side. Thankfully all our hard work paid off, as the first of the seven waterfalls began to come into sight. With each successive step the falls became more visible and closer. Our hike finally ended with us in the middle of the falls, looking up at the water rushing past us. With our hike to Seven Falls accomplished, it was now time to head back.

We joined back up with Tara after crossing the river once again and resumed our hike back to Gail. Things seemed to be going well, until I lost my balance during one of the river crossings. Thankfully I didn’t completely fall, I just leaned too far to the side, and wound up reaching out to brace myself. When I did, I put my shoes under water, rendering the need to take them on and off at future crossing unnecessary. At least I didn’t reach out with my other hand… the one with my camera in it!

It was getting really late by this point, and we had offered to have Gail go home so that she didn’t spend her whole day waiting for us, but she stayed around in the car (after graciously getting us something to eat and drink). We continued our hike while keeping her informed of our progress. After all of the crossings (16 in total), we finally made it back to the car – 7 hours later!

We finally got home, and made hamburgers for dinner (except for Jayden, who ate a quesadilla). After dinner we packed up all our stuff and headed for bed, in preparation of our flight home in the morning. While we are sad to be heading home, we are looking forward to seeing Samantha, the dogs, and to sleep in our own beds!

Coronado National Forest - Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

A look at the Santa Catalina mountains...

Jayden stopped her hike to stand for a picture.

Water flowing over a bridge during our walk...

...which Jayden, Tara, and Gail (eventually) crossed.

The water flowing down the river.

Tara, Jay, and Gail braving the cold water.

Water flowing over the bridge.

The early part of our hike took place on a nice wide, flat trail.

Help prevent wildfires!

A monarch butterfly in the brush.

A look at the Tucson Mountains from Bear Canyon.

Gail, Jay, and Tara taking a break to get some water.

Another shot of the Tucson Mountains.

Jay sitting on the trail.

The Santa Catalina Mountains.

Rodney taking a selfie.

Another shot of the Santa Catalina's.

Jay stretching during our hike.

Gail and Tara making their way down the trail.

The river flowing...

...along the trail.

Gail, Jay, and Tara making their way towards Seven Falls.

Another look at the mountains.

Although difficult to tell in this photo, the ground was really sparkly.

Saguaro cactus standing tall on the side of the mountain.

Water flowing over the rocks...

A bit of an arch on the side of the mountain.

A slow spot in the river.

An interesting rock formation.

Rodney doing his best...

...to keep the rock from falling!

A lizard enjoying the sunshine.

Some more photos of the mountainside...

Tara and Jayden hiking the trail.

Tara posing for a picture.

Some more shots of the water and the mountains...

Tara and Jay walking along the water.

Tara sitting on the rocks after deciding she wouldn't finish the hike...

...and waving to us as we continued on.

Another look at the mountains.

Jay making her way through the rocks on the trail.

A look down the river.

Our first view of Seven Falls... there are three in this picture.

Some more pictures of the falls...

Jayden posing for a picture in front of the falls.

More pictures of Seven Falls...

Jayden and Rodney posing for a picture in front of the falls.

Jay walking across the rocks as we headed back to meet Tara.

A look at the river flowing down Bear Canyon.

Jayden looking back during our hike.

Some more mountain shots...

A see through sign seen on the mountains.

Tara waiting for our return...

Jay and Tara getting ready to start our hike back.

Some more mountain shots...

Jay and Tara putting their shoes back on after crossing the river.

Jay climbing up a giant rock.

Another mountain photo.

Jay and Tara making their down the trail...

...and after it turns to a pathway.

One more shot of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Tara's photo of the flowing water.

Rodney and Jay talking on the trail.

Tara's selfie.