Marana Discovery Series: Hiked It And I Really Liked It
If you have a passion for hiking and discovering new places, you’ll love Marana. It’s a place where outdoor adventures of all kinds are waiting for you.
From scenic strolls to challenging treks, from wildlife sightings to historical landmarks, Marana has it all. But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself why Marana is the ultimate hiking destination. Join us for our Discovery Series and Mural project, where we showcase the best of Marana through art and storytelling.
![](https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15b9fe7b6a0cbe41c8a289c195153549 320w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8731215fbeb34afb2dfc8038f9fb2cf2 540w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=bd025e4d03d7cd3e6ef50c20202ff3a1 768w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=ba73635cf710c9de4adf5c8d0c5a38d2 1024w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2f17bd78fd3467efc5295ca9bd6e5a33 1200w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=61a18fbe70ab4c4a24e51953d564269b 1440w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=78d09521f6d823c384616a9e736bbdb3 1920w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=0a8595ed68b2e89dc5dc3a4c24c1854f 2560w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/sticker_hiked_it.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=dbac644f41e185b8f46a44220c1a3454 3840w)
Our first theme is: Hiked it and I Really Liked It!
We’ve created stickers and other items to celebrate the amazing hiking trails in Marana. You will be able to pick them up at the Marana Visitor Center soon.Plus, we’ve commissioned a local artist to paint a stunning mural at the Wild Burro Trail. The canvas? The side of the restroom building!
![Colorful mural](https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=bfb19f5cfa999b876ec0d65d249129e0 320w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8eaa11c4f5c7002277e878a7ea452071 540w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=016316fe8e6f778208bf9aa0177d9409 768w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=71d601a68830936e9f9e7c213583a9c5 1024w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9ad13168789c4c3dd922ccb0160fa2d5 1200w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0e648e4f8dbcb9591840b45aabd70380 1440w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1291ba28b8f245fa4a3a213d4c6a90d9 1920w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=fae5d48fd65d4215917996495248a319 2560w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/br-visitor-center.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=d164283d0d15231e52e5bcb51f0feb64 3840w)
The mural was painted by Joshua Woodhall, a talented local artist who was inspired by the beauty and diversity of the trail. He used an Impressionist style to capture the mood and atmosphere of the landscape. Impressionist style was developed in France in the mid-to-late 19th Century. Characteristics include small, visible brushstrokes.
![close up of a saguaro cactus on a mural](https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7aa5dd573933b62109e18002398c23b1 320w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fdef1e638a470833b0838495375eada9 540w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1538b5addeb59a3c19188277fa844823 768w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d4206d6b4e40eb6ece05868aa96ba315 1024w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c591e2be5ca02b3095e58af6e318e6b7 1200w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ccf04048c3016240f0cd0206fde44d6b 1440w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=eff48cec56954694ba9cc81e89e8ef8e 1920w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=32edba90d97ec4c542a909c316ae9305 2560w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/saguaro.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=3b15a8a262a49a2875a4d952896f5da8 3840w)
Woodhall says: “In starting to work on murals I found too often that feeling was omitted for a more graphic appeal. My aim is to put fine art on walls, art that makes you feel. When I saw the extensive texture of the canvas, my mission actually became much easier. There was no way I would be able to make something look like it came straight out of a computer. Instead I used techniques I discovered studying the impressionists, just as though I were working at the easel. The piece captures the inspiration I received hiking the Wild Burro Trail at Tortolita Mountain Park”
![stacked rock formations](https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=850a3ca60462d06a106e8ab8bde8f2de 320w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fe116e517fcfcaf5d426d0242167d3be 540w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7b872f4a9b7a997ea152e472fddcf147 768w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0cb9c9a51b6fc7901931263224ff272b 1024w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ca515948e6ceb4a9b39f969b28b2118d 1200w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c780dfe1f4c894e299391841612866d8 1440w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=038520542b5bb110e7930ce0c3a93362 1920w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d4c25a27a9811b851ad508080cce94bd 2560w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/rocks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=02b0047b09890d5b95f4f9a1e4e53256 3840w)
Additionally, his art was inspired by art. The two stacked rock formations pictured in the mural create the entryway to the trailhead and were installed as part of the improvements to the area many years ago.
![close up of roadrunner and gila monster on a mural](https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3085160b496e026e09485d6b1bcbe4ac 320w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=76063b2376fd98be349f5a84876b529b 540w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=30d9f1daa81c5f16499de8ca2c6d0d17 768w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=195e1f5587b371824e0333c2eb8000f8 1024w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f780a39a895e68a26f42a0756d87f2f1 1200w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8a77cd82829291d073eb79bf12f6b988 1440w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fc9e619b08724f26c972aeba58b66a1b 1920w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=1ddf2278bfdc715aa924843ea55ea3ad 2560w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/gila-monster-mural.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=90f85934f9cc8512bbb995c13eff8b1f 3840w)
Do you see the roadrunner and gila monster? The desert creatures visited Woodhall while he designed and painted this artwork.
We invite you to visit the mural and trailhead to take in the art, and take pictures! Wild Burro is a 6.8-mile loop trail that explores the natural beauty and history of the Tortolita Mountains. Along the way, you can see crested saguaros, ancient petroglyphs, and picturesque ruins of old homesteads. You can pick up a trail map at the Visitor Center or click here to download one!
And don’t forget to share your photos and stories with us on social media using the hashtag #DiscoverMaranaAZ. We’d love to feature your “HIked It and I Really Liked It” story!
![Artist at mural](https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e11e3cf9a599bd644ee9129b16c57ae6 320w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=271177834e5a1c2f17857c2a2d887fe5 540w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a1edaf84140cdb0b86c4237b44ee0cc1 768w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=43a2d5194cb7a4c93494250bd5690836 1024w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d0683445794806ab5c7417525b5d312b 1200w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=548d5f8d1cea59544893d669f502b6a8 1440w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5e41bd96e3f9c2003dac1c1978435c76 1920w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=25f9a865147df0e7254d6de6a7c7937c 2560w, https://marana.imgix.net/images/blog-images/img_3532-Joshua-Woodhall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=ba21aa88f7cbaab67b7fd30cea5afae0 3024w)
Joshua Woodhall is a 43 year old artist living and creating in Tucson, Arizona. He currently has a small sculpture studio in the Pie Allen Neighborhood and paints at home. He recently started a mural/restoration business with his father and is working on his fourth mural.
We're looking for additional artists for future projects! Email us to learn more: maranainfo@marana.com
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