Rattlesnakes and Julian Wash

Julian Wash greenway
looking toward the Rincon Mountains.

Yesterday, Keith and I visited Julian Wash, a multi-use biking, hiking, and walking greenway that stretches for about 3 miles between Houghton and Kolb Roads in Tucson (Houghton is a major road we use to commute between our home in Corona de Tucson and the city proper).  The City of Tucson, Pima County, and the University of Arizona partnered to design and fund the project.   The greenway opened in the summer of 2011, and just one completed segment of what will be a 55-mile long Urban Loop Trail.  Tucson offers many such recreational areas and is known as one of America's most "bike friendly" cities. 

Prickley Poppy along the Julian Wash greenway.

The ocotillo are almost in full bloom.



Wildflowers line the Julian Wash greenway.

Keith and his brother, Dean, have bicycled Julian Wash, which offers both a paved bike trail and hardpan walking trail.  The greenway parallels the Union Pacific right-of-way. Two trains carrying freight and automobiles passed us during our short visit. 

I was impressed with the park; wildflowers in full bloom lined the pathways and small exhibits discussing aspects of the Tucson Basin provided diversions along the way.  The park follows a natural channel for rain runoff called a "wash."   Washes criss cross the Sonoran Desert as a result of natural landforms, such as mountains, hills, plains, and valleys.  During a rainstorm, washes churn with fast flowing water draining from impermeable soil.  This makes them ideal areas for flash flooding.  All that water also makes washes lush hosts of diverse plant and animal life.

In addition to information nodes, ramadas, and art, Julian Wash is home to bout 200 artificial burrowing owl dens installed along the greenway natural area as part of the project plan.  We didn't see any owls, but we did encounter a rattlesnake crossing the parkway.  We stopped a few feet from the reptile, watching its progress without crowding it.  I knew that unless the snake was an angry mutant, it would be just as happy to stay away from us as we were to keep our distance from it.  Keith and I have come across a rattlesnake once before while out hiking.  It was fascinating to watch the creature undulate across the clearing, stretching itself out, as if this would expedite its travel through vulnerable open area to protective brush.  Rattlesnakes do not like to be out in the open where predators can easily pick them off. 

The sighting reminded us that rattlesnakes abound in the Sonoran Desert.  In fact, this region "is blessed" (according to the Sonoran Desert Museum) with more species of rattlesnakes than any other in the world!  These vipers are actually important citizens of the desert. They control rodent populations which, left to their own, might overrun and destroy desert evironments.  Rattlesnakes are dangerous and like any wild creature will attack if threatened.  But learning about rattlesnakes and the way they live can help humans coexist with them, and replace fear with respect.     



The rattlesnakes are out!
This one crossed the bike path several feet away from us.