Ventana Canyon to Maiden Falls

After a couple of weeks of the Return of the Bulging Disk, I took my first foray out yesterday. Ventana Canyon is not one I had done before and I was surprised that the trail starts in the parking lot of the Loew's Ventana Canyon.

Yes, the first mile is all on easement, and as I trudged past the condos and barbed wire, it was somewhat depressing, but at the same time, it is beautiful from start to finish and it was nice to see several people who lived adjacent, either in condo or compound, out on the trail. Also, while it stinks to have to walk across private property, or see the best part of a stream blocked with a "No Trespassing" sign, I have to appreciate that at least we live in a city that recognizes that growth will happen, but some things need to be preserved, even if somewhat awkwardly. In Vegas it would already be a strip mall. I'm looking at you, growth around Red Rock Canyon.

The Sierra Club ranks this as a C in difficulty, or thereabout, and while it isn't long and doesn't have a huge elevation change, it is a narrow canyon and there's still quite a bit of climbing in and out of the river bed; I'd rate it slightly more difficult. Unlike a lot of other canyons, this one had water at nearly every crossing. There's extensive algae bloom because it's a slow flow and warm, so it was better to stay up on the rocks. So--harder on the ankles and the hamstrings than a once-over of a crappy map might convey, but well worth it. It's about 2.4 up to the falls and you can keep going until you hit the trail that links across the Catalinas if you want.


There were loads of birds, nests, butterflies, and early poppies. As usual, I was amazed by people walking in running shorts and tennis socks. Everything here will stab you--everything. It's all lovely riparian woodland from the second you walk out of the parking lot, but the scrub oak, mesquite and palo verde (no cottonwoods up here, possibly too narrow?) will tear you up before you even fall into the cacti, or more likely on this trail, take a misstep and fall down a steep uneven wall of rock. Wear some pants people, and try taking some water. Seriously.