That photo is some buried treasure Bill. I wasn't sure how much I was going to like mountain biking but since I've become more comfortable out there it's a gas.

Thanks Bill, I'm really glad to know what these are.

I really love mtb trail riding in AZ. Here is a link to a shot of my brother riding on a trail at Lost Dutchman State Park, just east of
Apache Jct. back in about 2013.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10200753153327306&set=a.10200730447879684

Yellow flowers are Gordon's bladderpod.

https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=79

Blue ones are some species of Phacelia, probably Pope's Phacelia.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/166604/browse_photos

White ones are Lyre-Leaf Jewelflower... a new one for me!

https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=1162

It's temporary through the end of May, but I imagine there will be something else to see here the next time you're in Tucson.

That looks right, thanks Bill.

We didn't see many people on bikes on or off the path, probably because of the weather. I wouldn't have noticed the path or the underpass going east on Old Spanish Trail. You're right, some of it is in rough shape and I moved to the shoulder for a stretch, should have mentioned that. Much of the path is fine and it's so nice to ride without having to check the rear view mirror all the time.

A bit out of focus, but probably prairie clover.

https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=1482

These are all great. We’ve never seen them though. Is it an permanent exhibit?

I've ridden two loops in East Saguaro Park with pleasure. I could probably do three and still call it fun. A tandem couple here in town are training for Paris-Brest-Paris. They did enough laps to make 100 miles. One, I'm not capable of that. Two, it would be WAY off of my fun meter! That makes my two laps look puny.

The last time I was there, a Backroads Bicycle Tours group was looping around. That's the most riders I've ever seen. I've never seen another recumbent, except the time that AD Carson organized a club ride.

I know nothing about this underpass!

I've bicycled to Saguaro Park twice this week. I always go up Old Spanish Trail, then come back on Valencia. Perhaps if I reverse directions, I would see the underpass? I tried riding on that bike path once. It had horrible heaves, with plants growing in the cracks. The roadway has a good shoulder, so I moved on over and never looked back.

Did you see any other riders on the path or the underpass? I frequently see riders on the road there. Never the path.

I've gone right now to the mapping feature on RWGPS to try and figure it out. I looked at your ride map. I can see it now. How about that.

It's definitely an experience I don't want to repeat Scott.

Indeed, I heard there was more snow and ice just a few weeks ago that made it a tougher go.

I can really relate to your anxiety over losing each other for so long. We’ve done that one more than once ourselves.

Looks like a great hike, if you’re down there late enough in the year.