Summer “Sunsations”

Colossal Cave Mountain Park incorporates more than just a cave, including trail rides and much more.
Photo courtesy Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Summer is a state of mind. Tucsonans’ reactions to the annual temperature spike vary widely, from predictable “Ugh! My air conditioning bill!” complaints and the planning of road trips to a staycationer’s “Yes! No students or snowbirds!” exultation. Seeking ways to chill out this season other than burning rubber towards San Diego? Look no further. Cool off (without taking off) by studying this townie’s guide to day tripping.

When the tiny shallow backyard kiddie pool just isn’t cutting it anymore, a journey to Breakers Water Park at 8555 W. Tangerine Rd. in Marana is in order. No “no splashing” admonishments will be heard here. Between the 52-foot high Riptide and Bonzai Pipeline slides plus Splash Canyon, the Wave Pool and Captain Kidd’s Surfari, a thorough soaking is virtually guaranteed. Breakers Water Park is open to the public Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Purchase a one-day or season pass online at BreakersWaterPark.com or call (520) 682-2530. Bring sunscreen!

In fact, why not pack the tent? Bucolic Catalina State Park, only fourteen miles away at 11570 N. Oracle Rd., offers overnight camping in 120 sites with picnic tables and BBQ grills. Friends of Catalina State Park invites all to a First Saturdays Concert Series presenting 60s folk band Fried Squirrel on Saturday, July 5 at 6:30 p.m. and Western vocalist Carol Markstrom on Saturday, August 2 at 7 p.m. See FriendsCSP.org to learn more and AZStateParks.com to reserve campsites 24/7 online.

But wait! First things first. Before roughing it, a bit of indulgence is in order. Celebratory scoops from Allegro Gelato, 446 N. Campbell Ave., are as important to the hyperlocal camping trip as are the flashlights and sleeping bags. Say farewell to civilization by filling up on this delicacy, made using authentic Italian recipes and natural ingredients, while you still can. Flavors such as custard, hazelnut, pistachio and fruit sorbets are dished out Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. GelatoAllegro.com and (520) 207-1991 have the mouthwatering details needed to plan ahead.

Not a happy camper?
For those who prefer sleeping inside in comfort, Triangle L Ranch Bed & Breakfast at 2805 Triangle L Ranch Rd. in Oracle welcomes wanderers of the West to enjoy nature without going au natural. Longtime ranch hand/owner Sharon Holnback gushes over the “great, great stars,” which twinkle over the property’s sculpture path at night and touts Triangle L as “a good place to relax and recharge.”

Triangle L Ranch Bed & Breakfast is a close-by respite from Tucson’s summer heat.
photo: A.T. Willett/courtesy Triangle L Ranch

After you unwind in the Guest House with its sleeping porch and claw-foot tub, the three-bedroom Hill House, or the romantic Trowbridge Suite, you can also explore; Holnback has made art-related activities part of ranch culture. The historic adobe barn is an exhibition space for photographs and paintings. Metalworkers and musicians mingle freely, allowing ideas to incubate on the courtyard. What a getaway! For more information or reservations, visit TriangleLRanch.com or call (520) 623-6732.

Trail loops and wildlife encounters abound at Oracle State Park, just a quick jaunt up the road at 3820 Wildlife Dr. in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Guided hikes of the Windmill and Cherry Valley Wash Loops, available with advance reservation by calling Gaston Meloche directly at (520) 638-5404, are scheduled for 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 5 and Saturday, July 19. A morning walk with the Tucson Audubon Society at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, August 10 promises sightings of Ash-Throated Flycatcher and Lucy’s Warbler, among others; online registration at TucsonAudubon.org is required. Support efforts to grant Oracle State Park “international dark sky park” protected status by visiting DarkSky.org. Astronomers and stargazers thank you!

Karchner Caverns State Park, 2980 Arizona 90 in Benson, also offers educational and fun diversions including Discovery Center geology exhibits and even paleontology displays. Picnic areas, hiking trails and wildlife viewing are available for RV and tent campers. Summer gate hours are 7 a.m.-10 p.m., park hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and discovery center hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (520) 586-2283 for information on a moonlight hike at Karchner Caverns on Saturday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m. Visit Friends of Karchner Caverns State Park at ExploreTheCaverns.com and make campsite reservations at AZStateParks.com.

Formations inside Colossal Cave, where the temperature is always a cool 70°F. Photo: Rick Machle/MTCVB, courtesy Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Options for exploring Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail in Vail, are plentiful and splendiferous. Something for everyone? With birding, trail rides out of La Posta Quemada Ranch, an analemmatic sundial, a pair of desert tortoises, a butterfly garden and yes, camping, it may just be true. Enjoy Yaqui Deer Dancers, flintknapping and more at this year’s Ha:San Bak Saguaro Harvest Festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 5; learn about “Jaguars of the Borderlands” at Sunday in The Park with Sky Island Alliance’s Sergio Avila on Sunday, August 3 from 2-4 p.m.

For more information call (520) 647-7121. Exceptionally spry adventurers may choose to book Colossal Cave’s ladder tour, available after park hours on Saturday evenings, which takes visitors scampering along cave side routes for ninety minutes (hard hats and lights provided) before a buffet dinner and bonfire on the ramada. Purchase tickets online at ColossalCave.com or call (800) 979-3370.

Keep your travel dollars in state this summer! The California freeways won’t mind less traffic.

Category: RECREATION