Meet Me Hike: Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead

The latest in the hiking series from Beyond, this one helped commemorate their founding month.

As I’ve written in another post, Beyond’s mission was defined by the events of January 8, 2011.  Gabe Zimmerman, for whom this trailhead is named, was killed that day. He is one of the 6 lost to the violence at that Safeway store. Today was about remembering Gabe and the others and bring the Beyond family together to hike in the Arizona desert.

And hike we did.  While Sal and I took the shortest and easiest (Level I) version of the hike. Others took a loop out beyond the basic hike.  As it was we were accompanied by at least 30 others.  Daniela, Beyond’s Executive Director, led our part of the hike. A 2-mile out-and-back (OAB) to the creek, it gave us a real appreciation of how quickly one can be in the wilds of the Sonoran Desert.  This trailhead is about 30 miles from Downtown Tucson, putting it well within reach of at least a million people.

Reminded us of the Goat Island Preserve hike I took with the naturalists in Dallas last year.  So wild but so close.

Here’s where I note that a short-legged terrier held her own with the Shelties and other larger dogs on the trail with us. Sal was more interested in the sights, smells and sounds on teh trail than the other dogs.

Thanks again to the Beyond team and participants.  We always feel welcome and we’ve learned so much about my old/new hometown.

Relentless

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