Have I mentioned too many times that I don't like change. I am a creature of habit. I like what I like. But constantly I am bombarded by change. Life is change. So when I came across a new one this week, I was not pleased.
For many years, we have enjoyed Golden Gate Road that goes through Saguaro National Monument West. Where there are many trails through the park, there are very few roads. This one was dirt, often quite rough, not recommended for low slung vehicles. And we loved it. It let us get up close and personal with stretches of the desert where there aren't many people. We took tons of photos there over
This week, driving up to the road, we saw a rather unpleasant sign-- road closed with chains across it. We hoped it was temporary due to road damage from storms. We had brought a lunch out to eat there and ate it at a moderately wide spot in the road-- traffic noise notwithstanding.
We then turned back onto the highway, driving more miles to get to the Saguaro National Monument Visitor Center, hoping to find out for how long Golden Gate would be closed. On the way, we passed the other end of it and saw something that was definitely bad news-- road closed ahead...
At the visitor center we were told the closure was due to lack of money to keep it open with the damage weather regularly did to it. First, it was the sequester of a few years back but concern there would be less money in the future. Besides, not many people cared about it or used it. Or so they said.
That was disappointing. We had come out there to see one of the best hills for wildflowers. We drove off to try some other loops, got some photos, before heading home to check out the internet.
Well, one woman, who is a painter, was quoted in the hearing as being very disappointed. She used to take her truck out there, paint from the tailgate and didn't see how she could drag her paints as far as would be required for her favorite spots. I think also of the elderly (like us) who are not capable of long hikes anymore. Add to that the handicapped. Actually, there are lots of trails in the Tucson Mountains, there are very few roads. Sad but that's progress... or change...
A few of the trails south of the road we have long enjoyed.
10 comments:
Sorry for this loss.
I am reconciling that we can probably walk to the spot we like best for wildflowers as it shouldn't be too far from the Esperenza trailhead-- if they make the parking lot bigger. What gets me though is there are many, like the artist, who can't drag their supplies that far or can't walk at all. It was such a special drive with a way to access the desert for less mobile people.
Well, accessibility is a thing now. They’re supposed to provide access to all, maybe point that out? “The public” sounds like code for “the able-bodied”. But it’s probably really a money thing. Too bad, sounds like a lovely little road.
All it takes is money to keep what you want. If there were some millionaire roadsters, they would probably fight for it. Money is scarce for many things these days.
Sorry, that this beautiful area has become so difficult to access. But if it is beautiful enough, do not underestimate an artist's injinuity to get there.
I think, Tabor that more money is in mountain bikes these days. Being a dirt road with some rocks, I would guess fancy roadsters already didn't want it. They did have the other end maintained better. It's also though more miles for us to go to get to it. I've seen a lot of dirt roads closed down in my time-- many in ranching country where the ranchers want it closed to the BLM land so that they can charge hunters for game farms of sorts. It is alas the nature of life with humankind lol
Diane, she's the one who was protesting in the article I found. i don't think they left this up for debate. They were telling people how it'd be. Not a democracy. She'll probably find other places, but I know why she wanted this one. It was special but such a rough road that not all would take it even with vehicles with high enough clearance.
Years back, I was upset with a trail in Catalina State Park that I had dearly loved. You had to wind between boulders and cross the stream several times when it was in flow. I've waded that stream when it was hip high (not in flash flood though or I'd not have done it but just high water). They moved it from the side with boulders and widened it substantially. It was progress, but it wasn't the same trail any more. :(
Enjoyed seeing some of the wildflowers beginning to bloom from all the moisture the desert has received. I would think there would be a preponderance of older people in the Tucson area most likely to visit that Park who would not welcome that change either. Recall visiting the Park many years ago but not sure now the various roads we would have been on as we usually went off the beaten track in areas when we could. I wonder if bike usage of various kinds is becoming more prevalent?
I hope the rouge off-roaders never get in there. Our Joshua Tree Nat'l Park area incurred serious damage during the govt budget shutdown when Rangers could no longer provide supervision. Recovery is reported to possibly take up to a few hundred years for the damage that was done to the natural habitat.
I read that about Joshua Tree where I've never been but have seen photos. Just shocking how some people abuse any freedom or lack of supervision :(. It makes no sense at all.
I just wish they had kept all of Golden Gate open for the many who cannot ride horses, bike or hike. It was so pretty. I think we'll be able to walk far enough to get to the area I most wanted to see again but the whole 2.6 miles was like stepping back in time for the peaceful chance to see and feel the desert. Not everybody is physically able to do it without a vehicle.
We hope to get more pictures of the flowers this week but we have a problem with getting a permit for the carport that we had to tear down due to damage.Hopefully we can get that resolved.
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