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TUCSON - The Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead was formerly called the Davidson Canyon Trailhead, one of Gabe's favorite hikes.

Now it stands as part trail, part memorial: complete with his namesake, his picture and one of his poems etched in stone.

Pima County Park's Greg Hagen said, "Back in grade school, Gabe had an assignment to describe himself. So Gabe came up with what is here. His mom saved this for years and years and she thought this was an appropriate thing".

"I didn't know him but I know he was an avid hiker from everything I read and I think a beautiful trail like this is a good memorial to him", said hiker Wayne Monroe.

The Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead showcases one of the hiking gems in Pima County, a 32 mile segment of the Arizona Trail. None of the trails here are more than slightly moderate.

"You can take the Arizona Trail up toward Colossal Cave Park or if you go the other way you can go down the Cienega Preserve and follow Cienega Creek", said Monroe.

With the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts converging here, hikers will find a lush mid of the desert and grasslands.

Among the prickly pears and ocotillos is Cienega Creek. It has water in it some portions of the year and makes for a great place to view some of the wildlife.

"Down here we're going to see the vermillion fly catchers, the lesser goldfinch and cooper's hawk", said Hagen.

A bird-watcher's and hiker's heaven, with the Rincon Valley serving as the backdrop for the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead.

For directions and information on the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead, click here.