TA Tidbits #64 Trail Stormwater Damage & Repair-A Wildflower-Marana Meeting
- Mark L. Johnson
- Sep 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Tortolita Trails-Stormwater Damage & Repair
The monsoon storms referenced in Water Woes XL caused some damage to the Tortolita Preserve and Tortolita Mountain Trails. Marana Parks & Recreation (MPR) crews are working diligently to repair the damage and are currently concentrating on the Wild Burro Trail and Lower Javelina Trail.
Upper Javelina Trail-Erosion
Hiked the Upper Javelina Trail on 9/22/25 and found the constructed trail stormwater diversions worked well in many locations but there are still some erosion issues on the steeper sections on the backside (south) of the trail. See photos below.
Of greater concern is the section of the Upper Javelina Trail where it was relocated around the new house that was built at the intersection of the Boulder Bridge Pass and Boulder Draw Drive. There is some serious erosion at the unfinished stormwater channel where the Upper Javelina Trail connects to the Pedestrian Trail. See photos below. Seems like this connection could be simplified and improved.
All of this has been reported to MPR and they will get to the trail erosion repairs as soon as they finish the other priority areas. Also, they have contacted the developer (Cottonwood Properties) to make repairs/improvements at the intersection of the Upper Javelina Trail and the Pedestrian Trail.
Thanks to MPR for cutting the large saguaro that fell on the Upper Javelina Trail near the connection with the Pedestrian Trail. Note the bacterial necrosis (black smelly goop) in the photo below. This is what weakens the older saguaros and they finally give way in stormy/windy conditions.
One Wildflower Observation
This has not been a very good year for wildflowers in the Tortolitas. Very few wildflowers were observed this spring and summer. However, one new species was observed along the Upper Javelina Trail (9/22/25). See photos below of the Longflower Tube Tongue (Justicia longii). The white flowers bloom at night and only last one night and will drop to the ground the next morning. The sun had not come up over the mountains when these photos were taken and therefore the flowers would be dropping soon thereafter.
This wildflower will be added to the Wildflowers of The Tortilitas as part of the annual update at the end of this year.
Marana Meeting (10/8/25 5:30 PM) Dove Mountain CSTEM School
Town of Marana is holding a community meeting at the Dove Mountain C STEM School on Wednesday, October 8 at 5:30 PM. The topics are:
Marana's Growth
Transportation (RTA Next)
Data Centers (1)
You can learn more about this public meeting and other times/locations by clicking on the button below:
(1) Recommend listening to a very good Marana Real Talk With The Town Podcast-Data Centers