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2008 Grand Canyon Chapter Outings CalendarThe Sierra Club is a nationwide organization with an active local outings program for members and nonmembers alike. You're invited to explore the beauty of Arizona while making friends and possibly finding new life enriching interests. Attached is a list of upcoming outings. Find one that appeals to you and phone the leader for more information. For general club information or to receive a complimentary copy of the Arizona newsletter phone the Sierra Club at: (602) 253-8633. Enjoy and Explore ArizonaSierra Service OutingsJUL 5, AUG 2, SEP 6 (SAT) Hopi trail work. Join us on Hopi land to help restore ancient trails and springs in preparation for the annual Hopi Water is Life Run. This is a rare and fantastic opportunity! All you need is a pair of good shoes, water bottle, snacks, and sunblock – we’ll provide the rest. Contact Stacey Hamburg at 928-774-6514 or stacey.hamburg@sierraclub.org for more info. Flagstaff JUL 26–27 (SAT–SUN) Native plant nursery work party. Help Grand Canyon National Park collect, clean, and process native seeds. Our work locations may include the historic Village, Mather Point, or Desert View and collection sites in the ponderosa pine woodland and Great Basin conifer woodland. Food, tools, and campsite provided. Go to http://gcvolunteers.com for more details and to sign up. Contact Stacey Hamburg at 928-774-6514 or stacey.hamburg@sierraclub.org to join the Sierra Club group. Grand Canyon AUG 14–17 (THU–SUN) Grand Canyon Desert View archaeology survey. Help survey for archaeological sites in the backcountry near Cedar Mountain and Desert View. We will be joined in the field by Cameron area elders and youth and ECHOES, a tribal partner organization. This is part of the ongoing work of Grand Canyon National Park to inventory and preserve historic properties within the park. Daily hikes could range from 4–6 miles per day. We will work for three days and depart Sunday morning. Food, camp site, in-park transport, and work tools provided. Cost is approximately $200. Contact Stacey Hamburg at 928-774-6514 or stacey.hamburg@sierraclub.org for more info and to sign up. Grand Canyon AUG 23 (SAT) Mogollon Rim Road Restoration Project. The Mogollon Rim, a breathtakingly beautiful landscape of alpine forests and streams, is home to a variety of threatened wildlife species. The spider web of unauthorized roads in the area is destroying their homes. We will work with the U.S. Forest Service closing roads to repair the natural habitat for these animals, as well as making the area more beautiful. Our day-long project consists of restoring closed dirt roads to a natural condition through revegetation techniques involving hand tools, native seeds, and trail maintenance practices. Meals and snacks provided. Meet at Clint’s Well by 9 a.m. to head out to the work site. Contact Stacey Hamburg at 928-774-6514 for more details. Clint’s Well SEP 20 (SAT) Annual Hopi Paatuwaqatsi (Water is Life) Run. This is a special public event open to anyone interested in running for the cause of water and life. The run will take place in the heart of Hopi country and will pass through the ancient village of Walpi. The Paatuwaqatsi Run was founded by Hopi runner Bucky Preston, who has run thousands of miles in the quest to preserve and protect his people’s water. Go to http://www.waterisliferun.org to register. Polacca Other OutingsJUL 5 (SAT) “C” Horse Lake Day Hike (9.5 mi. RT, 300’ EC). We’ll begin our one-way hike at Marshall Lake Trailhead southeast of Flagstaff. This easy Arizona Trail walk through the patchy forest on Anderson Mesa features plentiful wildlife and great views of the San Francisco Peaks. Finish at Horse Lake Trailhead. Contact Ted Tenny at 480-396-3389 or PotsdamDan@cox.net. Phoenix JUL 5 (SAT) “C” Little Bear Trail (8.6 mi. RT, 1100’ EC). Located 12 mi. north of Flagstaff. A cool summer hike through a fir and aspen forest as we stroll up the north slope of Mt Elden. A great hike to get out of the heat and round out the weekend. Contact Frank Schaffner at 928-556-1564. Flagstaff JUL 12 (SAT) “B” Fossil Springs Swim Hike (7.5 mi. RT, 3800–4240’ EC, moderate pace). Grab your swimming suit and escape the summer heat to a popular hike on the Mogollon Rim. We will hike into beautiful swimming holes with lush grass, flowers, and tall trees. See 30 different species of trees and shrubs. Bring lunch. Hike lead by Donna Butler and Shelly Eberly. Contact Donna at donnatakeahike@yahoo.com. Phoenix JUL 12 (SAT) “C” Upper Verde River Issues – Stillman Lake and Verde Springs. (4 mi. RT, 200' EC). The Verde River is one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the U.S. We will review several conservation issues on this educational hike: endangered species, pollution by sludge disposal, cement kiln, and water resources. We will hike down to Granite Creek on a trail, then downstream to the Verde River, then upstream along the shore of Stillman Lake. We should see lots of birds and hundreds of petroglyphs. Then we will hike down the Verde into the new Nature Conservancy property to view beaver dams and Verde Springs. Easy, pretty, and cool hike, lots of fun and info! Reservation required. Contact Gary Beverly at 928-636-2638 or gbverde@cableone.net. Prescott JUL 13 (SUN) “C” Kachina Trail, San Francisco Peaks. Carpool from Carefree Hwy. Lunch after in Flagstaff at Beaver Street Brewery. Contact Louis Lantz at louis85331@msn.com. Phoenix JUL 15 (TUE) “C” Tonto Natural Bridge Hike. Carpool to park 10 miles north of Payson. Stop at the visitor’s center to learn how this natural wonder was created and find out about its recent history. Bring low carbon footprint item (locally grown or produced with minimum use of energy) for potluck lunch in picnic area. Leader is Richard Hand. Contact Bev Full at bfull@cox.net. Phoenix JUL 18–20 (FRI–SUN) “B” Overnight Backpack in the Blue Range Primitive Area. We will be on alert for any signs of the reintroduced Mexican gray wolf, which is an endangered species. Carpool to Hannagan’s Meadow Friday. Backpack to Mud Spring Saturday, and return on Sunday. Contact Bev Full at bfull@cox.net. Phoenix JUL 19 (SAT) “B” West Fork of Oak Creek (Sedona) Water Hike (12 mi. RT, 400’ EC). This is NOT the traditional West Fork hike. We will go well beyond where the trail and crowds end, wading and scrambling deeper into this magnificent canyon. We’ll start at the Call O’ the Canyon trailhead (5300’) north of Sedona, following the trail for a few miles before continuing on beyond its end. The pools and red sandstone (Supai Formation) throughout the canyon, along with abundant greenery, are a photographer’s dream. Strong, agile hikers will enjoy this water-hiking adventure. Limit of 15. Contact Darrell Foster at AZ- Outdoorsman@cox.net (preferred) or 602-569-5549. Phoenix JUL 19 (SAT) Dreamy Draw Early Evening Mountain Bike Ride (10 mi., 1.5 hrs.). Meet at Dreamy Draw Park at the parking lot at 5:30 p.m. Technical skill required is beginning to intermediate, stamina above average. This will be a late afternoon/evening ride going east on Trail 100. At this time of day we will be able to observe much Sonoran Desert life. There will be coyotes, owls, bats, and other creatures of the early evening. No lights will be necessary as we will return on a lighted bike path. Bring plenty of water, a spare tube, helmet, and your bike in good working condition. Call Ron Harris at 602-955-8927 or ronlh@qwest.net. Phoenix AUG 2 (SAT) “B” Sunset Trail (9.4 mi. RT, 1170’ EC). Up the north face of Mt. Elden and out of the heat. A splendid forested trail with a great vista at the top. Think cool and moist. Contact Frank Schaffner at 928-556-1564. Flagstaff AUG 2 (SAT) "C" Drew Canyon Hike Six miles return, 1478 EC, Five Hours, Moderate Pace You will enjoy seeing and discovering this beautiful trail through ponderosa pine, oak, juniper and aspen. We will make a small crossing over Christopher Creek before climbing to the highlands overlooking the majestic Mogollon Rim. It's a gradual ascent that will require some lung power. This is monsoon season, so bring a poncho in case of rain. For more information, contact Chris Tesner at tesolight@yahoo.com or 480-614-1799. Co-leader Bruce Arter. Phoenix AUG 9 (SAT) Abandoned Highway Mountain Bike Ride. Meet at the REI parking lot at 3 p.m. This ride is on a portion of the old US 60 between Superior and Miami. The ride duration is about 2 hrs. When we leave Phoenix the temperature is 100 degrees plus. When we arrive at our starting place the temp will have dropped to mid 80s, and we will be at an altitude of about 5000’. The road has not been used for 50 years and is overgrown in many places. This ride is a blast to the past history of Arizona. Bring plenty of water, a spare tube, helmet, and your bike in good working condition. Call Ron Harris at 602-955-8927 or ronlh@qwest.net. Phoenix AUG 9 (SAT) Abineau Bearjaw Day Hike (10 mi. RT, 2000’ EC, moderate pace). This loop trip on the north side of the San Francisco Peaks within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area goes through a beautiful fir and aspen forest. A few years ago a large portion of the Abineau Trail was completely destroyed by an avalanche coming off of the north slope of Humphrey's Peak. From the top of the Abineau Trail, one can see the path of destruction the avalanche took as it crashed down Abineau Canyon. The trail is now getting back into useable condition. Contact Jim Vaaler at 602-553-8208 or jimvaaler@msn.com. Phoenix AUG 16 (SAT) “A” Indian Maiden Falls/West Clear Creek Water-Hike (9 mi. RT, 1600’ EC, MUCH harder than it sounds). Join us for a nontechnical canyoneering adventure as we explore West Clear Creek (WCC). Our destination is the middle section of WCC Wilderness just outside of Camp Verde. After a 1.5 mi. walk in on a 4x4 road, we will scramble 1600’ down the side of the canyon on Trail 17 until we hit the cool waters of WCC. We then head upstream (no trail), in and out of the creek, until reaching Indian Maiden Falls, my favorite Arizona water-hike feature. Here in the Supai Formation, we will enjoy our lunch and take in all of the wondrous geology of this red-rocked riparian paradise. You must be a fast, strong, experienced water-hiker. Dinner afterward. Limit 15. Contact Darrell Foster at AZ-Outdoorsman@cox.net (preferred) or 602-569-5549. Phoenix AUG 16 (SAT) “C” Ash Creek Falls, Pinaleno Mountains. Hike 5–7 mi. along Ash Creek and observe beautiful Ash Creek Falls, which should be spectacular this time of year. We will enjoy the lush and cool alpine forest of the Pinaleno Mtns. as monsoon moisture works its magic on the sky islands. We will discuss ecological and environmental issues relevant to these precious sanctuaries rising high above Arizona’s hot climate. Contact Mitch Stevens 520-991-1199 or mitchstevens@qwestoffice.net. Tucson AUG 23 (SAT) “B+” Hell Point to Bull Basin along Upper Verde River (10 mi., 600' EC). After shuttling vehicles (4WD, 7 mi), we'll bushwhack up the Verde River 10 mi. through the most isolated and beautiful section of the river. There is no trail: be prepared to push through the brush, wade the river, and climb around cliffs. This will be a long day, but there is outstanding scenery and photography, including a cliff dwelling, a ruin, and wildlife. The Verde River is one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the U.S, so we'll learn about the conservation issues threatening this wonderful river. Ask for photos of the area. Reservation required. Contact Gary Beverly at 928-636-2638 or gbverde@cableone.net. Flagstaff AUG 26 (TUE) “C” Bev’s Weekday Hike to Waterfall, Tonto National Forest. Stop at the Ranger Office and get information about management plans being considered for the Tonto National Forest. Talk to the rangers about controlling the off-road vehicle use. Contact Bev Full at bfull@cox.net. Phoenix AUG 30–SEP 1 (SAT–MON) “C” Camping and Hiking in Chaco Canyon National Monument, New Mexico. Learn how and why this amazing complex was constructed by Native Americans. Contact Bev Full at bfull@cox.net. Phoenix SEP 28 (SUN) “C” Upper Verde River Issues – Stillman Lake and Verde Springs. (4 mi., 200' EC). Entering through private property (with permission), we will hike down to the Verde River, then upstream along the shore of Stillman Lake. We should see lots of birds and petroglyphs. Then we will hike down the Verde into the new Nature Conservancy property to view beaver dams and Verde Springs. Easy, pretty, and cool hike, lots of fun and info! The Verde River is one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the U.S. We will review several conservation issues on this educational hike: endangered species, pollution by sludge disposal, cement kiln, and water resources. Reservation required. Contact Gary Beverly at 928-636-2638 or gbverde@cableone.net. Flagstaff National Sierra OutingsAmerica's public lands and wilderness need your support, and hands-on teamwork is a great way to give something back. For more information about Sierra Club's National Outings, please visit http://whistler.sierraclub.org/TripSearch. LegalismsOutings are rated for degree of difficulty and risk by the leader. As a guideline, outings are classified as follows: "A" More than 16 miles or more than 3,000 feet elevation change. "B" 8 to 16 miles and between 1,500- 3,000 feet elevation change "C" 3 to 8 miles, 500 to 1,500 feet. "D" Less than 3 miles and 500 feet. RT means round trip; OW means one way; EC means total elevation change; Name of city after the date means city of origin of the group hiking.
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