Friday-Monday, July 3-6, White Mountains Camping Trip
RATING: Fun
LEADERS: Joyce Morningstar and Dave Tutch 602 299-7244
Escape the heat and join us for a holiday weekend of dispersed camping in the White Mountains near Alpine. Or make your own reservations for lodging at a nearby hotel or campground. The area is known for beautiful forests, and mountain lakes for fishing. We'll organize a variety of activities (hiking, biking, and fishing) for Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday, and Monday morning. There will be a bonfire and potluck supper on Saturday, so bring your favorite dish to share with the group. Please contact trip leader for more details.
Saturday, July 4 - Doyle Summit Hike
RATING: A DISTANCE: 8.5 mi ELEV GAIN: 2900 ft
CO-LEADERS: Les Cherow 602 943-3673, 928 779-1982, Don Mowry 480 209-7963
dgmowry@gmail.com
Meet at 6 am (depart at 6:15) at the Park and Ride at the southwest corner of I-17 and Bell Rd. This mostly off-trail hike begins on the Weatherford Trail, at the east end of Freidlein Prairie Rd (8600') and takes us through magnificent forests - good chance to see wildlife - until we reach the summit (11,500'). Spectacular views of the peaks and inner basin, as well as the Painted Desert and Sunset Crater. There is a very old, still-usable cabin at the summit dating from Flagstaff's early days. There are some especially steep sections along the route to the top. Please bring raingear, snacks/lunch, and something warm to put on if necessary. Cost to non-members is $5.
Tuesday, July 7 - Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: <1000 ft
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 7:45 am (depart at 8) at the Loehman's parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to non-members is $5.
Tuesday, July 7 - Derrick-Highline-Horton Creek Loop Hike
RATING: B LENGTH: 10 mi ELEV CHANGE: 1500 ft
LEADER: Ralph Engler 602 996-7312(H) or 480 855-7062(C)
Meet at 8 am (depart at 8:15) at Wendy's, Shea Blvd and the Beeline Hwy. Join us for this "below-the-rim" hike to a flowing natural spring. This "loop" trail is longer and steeper than the hike along the creek!! Please wear appropriate footwear. Walking stick recommended. Bring plenty of fluids/electrolytes and a sack lunch, which we will eat at the spring. Call leader the day before in case hike is canceled due to weather or forest closures. Cost to non-members is $5.
Wednesday, July 8 - West Spruce Mountain Hike
RATING: B LENGTH: 10 mi ELEV CHANGE: 2000 ft
CO-LEADERS: Dave Nelson 480 264-8899 and Grace Chen 480 767-1727
Meet at 7 am (depart 7:15) at McDonald's, NE corner of Carefree Hwy and I-17. Join us for this hike in the northern Sierra Prieta Mountains west of Prescott. We will hike the west half of the West Spruce Mountain Trail. Cool forest country and the 7160-foot West Spruce Mountains are the attractions on this peaceful trail. Other points along the trail feature great views of Granite Mountain, Thumb Butte, and the San Francisco Peaks. Wear sturdy boots, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. Bring a rain jacket, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Cost to non-members is $5.
Saturday, July 11 - Plane Wreck/Humphreys Summit Hike (San Francisco Peaks)
RATING: A LENGTH: 8.8 mi ELEV GAIN: 3240 ft
CO-LEADERS: Les Cherow 602 943-3673 lescherow@yahoo.com and Dan Rothman 480 991-1647(h), 480 773-5197(c)
Meet at 6 am (depart 6:15) at the Park-n-Ride at the SW corner of I-17 and Bell Road. We will start on the Humphreys Summit Trail and bushwhack off the trail to a 1944 B-24 plane wreck. After visiting the site we will return to the summit trail and proceed to Humphreys Summit. This is monsoon season, so we'll hope for the best but have rain gear just in case. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and wear sturdy hiking boots. Cost to non-members is $5.
Saturday July 11 - Oldham and Brookbank Trails Hike
RATING: B+ DISTANCE: 11 mi ELEV GAIN: 2000 ft
LEADER: Joyce 602 299-7244
Meet at 6:30 am (depart at 6:45) at the Park & Ride at Bell Road & I-17; we'll carpool to the trailhead in Buffalo Park in Flagstaff. You may hike as far as you wish on this in-and-out hike, which gradually climbs up the south slope of Mt. Elden, an extinct volcano. From the trailhead at 7000 feet, Oldham Trail climbs 1000 feet in 3 miles to the intersection with FR557. After walking a short distance on the road, we'll follow the Brookbank Trail to the intersection with the Sunset Trail, climbing an additional 1000 feet in 2.5 miles. At lower elevations, the trail winds through a ponderosa pine forest lined with boulder fields. Groves of aspen, spruce and fir are seen at higher elevations. Wear sturdy boots, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. Bring a rain jacket, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Cost to non-members is $5.
Tuesday, July 14 - Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1000 ft
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 7:45 am (depart at 8) at the Loehman's parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to non-members is $5.
Saturday, July 18 - Wilderness of Rocks - Mount Lemmon Loop Hike, Santa Catalina Mountains
RATING: A- LENGTH: 12.5 mi (approx) ELEV. GAIN: 3000+ ft
LEADER: Don 480 209-7963 dgmowry@gmail.com
Meet at 6 am (depart 6:15) at the east end of the Fry's Electronics parking lot, NW of I-10 and Baseline. We start on the Marshall Gulch Trail, shortly connecting with the beautiful Wilderness of Rocks Trail where amazing large granite boulders, water-carved canyons and hoodoos abound. We'll have panoramic views of Tucson, Mt. Lemmon and Sabino Canyon. Once we connect with the Mt. Lemmon Trail, it's a 5-mile uphill climb to the summit. Bring your lungs! We'll hike to 9100 ft. We'll connect with the Aspen Trail that returns us to the Marshall Gulch Trail and we're on our way home. In case of fire or rain conditions, call or email Don about the status of the hike. Cost to non-members is $5. There is also a $5-per-vehicle park entry fee to the Santa Catalina Mountain Preserve.
Tuesday, July 21 - Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: <1000 ft
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 7:45 am (depart at 8) at the Loehman's parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to non-members is $5.
Saturday-Saturday, July 18-25 - Hike Summit County, Colorado!
LEADER: John Nichols 480 860-5758, jnichols13@cox.net
We will be driving to Breckenridge, Colorado on Saturday, July 18, passing through Kayenta, Moab and Grand Junction. Early departure will get us to Costco in Gypsum, Colorado before it closes at 6 pm. We will be staying in two townhouses across the street from each other in Breckenridge, a town with many shops and restaurants, and discount shopping at nearby Silverthorn. Hikes will be from easy to strenuous in the magnificent, cool Rockies. On Saturday, July 25 we'll drive through Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango.
Saturday, July 25 - Camelback-and-Back- at-Sunrise Hike
RATING: B+ LENGTH: 5 mi ELEV. GAIN: 2500 ft
LEADER: Dan Rothman 480 991-1647 (cell: 480 773-5197)
Meet and depart (promptly) at 5:15 am at the Cholla Trailhead, east side of Camelback Mountain on E. Cholla Lane off Invergordon Road in Paradise Valley. This is a tough and sometimes very steep 5-mile hike across Camelback Mountain, from east to west and then back again. Although we'll beat most of the day's heat, sunscreen is still recommended, along with sturdy hiking boots and plenty of water. Hiking poles are useless on the mountain, but hiking gloves are a real help. After we're done, we'll stop for breakfast at the Original Pancake House or Coco's. Cost to non-members is $5.
Saturday-Sunday, July 25-26 - Help "Close the Gap" in the San Francisco Peaks Passage of the AZ Trail
LEADERS: Gay and Gary Hohner at sghohner@cox.net or 480 595-9303
This is an AZ Trail Association event, to which AOTC members are invited. Help build new AZ Trail outside Flagstaff. Reservations please by July 17. Schedule, location, what to bring provided with reservation (contact leaders). Events calendar at aztrail.org.
Sunday, July 26 - Ancient Hohokam Canal Bike Ride
RATING: B
LEADER: TC 602 377-1115 CO-LEADER: Patty 602 620-7406
Meet at 7 am (depart 7:10) at the "Park of the Canals," 1710 N Horne, Mesa. Arrive a little early and view the Desert Botanical Gardens which include visual evidence of ancient Hohokam Indian canal systems dating back to 700 BC. We will be riding 10 miles on graded dirt paths along the ancient canal system to the Granite Reef Diversion Dam. This is a 20-mile total in/out on graded dirt paths, so bring a fat-tire bike, plenty of water, a spare tube or two, and wear your required helmet. We will start and finish as a group. Please call to confirm participation. $5 for non-members.
Tuesday, July 28 - Exercise Hike, Phoenix Mountain Preserve
RATING: B- LENGTH: 5-7 mi ELEV GAIN: < 1000 ft
CO-LEADERS: Gary 623 878-6106 and Tom 602 264-9813
Meet at 7:45 am (depart at 8) at the Loehman's parking lot, SW corner of 32nd St and Lincoln. This is a quick-paced exercise hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which will encompass a variety of trails. Bring water and sunscreen. Cost to non-members is $5.
Looking Ahead:
Sunday, August 9 to Monday, August 17th – Climb Mount St. Helens and Mt. Adams
(Interest Only)
RATING: A+
LEADER: Duane Ray (experienced mountaineer; Mazama Hiking Club, Portland Oregon) CO-LEADER: John Nichols 480 860-5758
jnichols13@cox.net
Join Duane and John on climbs of Mt St Helens and Adams in Washington. The Monitor Ridge Route from Climber’s Bivouac to ascend Mt St Helens gains 4500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8365 feet elevation. Although strenuous, this non-technical climb is suitable for people in excellent physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. Most climbers complete the round trip in seven to twelve hours. The south climb of Mt Adams is not technically challenging, but it involves a climb of 6700 vertical feet across snow and rock to reach the 12276-foot summit of Mt Adams. We will overnight at the 'Lunch Counter', spend the night and summit the next day. Call or email John Nichols for more info or to express interest.
Friday-Sunday, August 14-16 - Greer Camping & Fishing Trip
LEADER: Ralph Engler 480 855-7062 bpiralph@juno.com
Join us for a campout at the Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground - 82 sites from tent to RV in size. You might also "dry camp," or sleep in one of the many accommodations in Greer (~1 mile). We will have trout fishing opportunities in the three Greer lakes or the streams, all close by. Campsites are $14-16 per night and fishing licenses range from $25-40 for an individual. A special family license for about $75 is available at Fish & Game offices). Call or email me to add your name to the preliminary list; I plan to call all the people who express an interest and will have a "firm" plan by the August newsletter!
Lazy Days of Summer Campout (Interest Only)- During either the first or second week of August - depending on your responses.
LEADERS: Don Mahr 602 339-8835 and Jan C. Ladyhawk@code411.com
We're going camping...want to come along? Bring your trailers and tents, sticks and boots, canoes and kayaks, 4X4's and mountain bikes, fishing rods and swim suits - plenty of activities to pick from. To avoid weekend crowds, we'll head up to the Blue Ridge/Moqui area mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) to a small Forest Service campground perched well above the Rim at 7000 ft. Camp sites are limited in number, first-come, first-served, and usually full by Thursday night or Friday morning. There's also some dispersed tent camping in the area. Where and when you camp is up to you! We'll be doing leisurely forest hikes along creeks to visit historic cabins, scenic springs, and monsoon wildflower displays. There's even a swimming hole on our hike list, plus possible back-road 4x4 drives, depending on weather and interest. Optional afternoon happy hours to share the day's adventures. You're welcome to join us for any or all of these, or do your own thing. Totally laid back - no set plans, no pressure, just fun and relaxation. Let us know by July 4th if you'd like to come!
Saturday-Saturday, October 24-31 – Carlsbad Caverns National Park Caving and Hiking (Note Date Change!)
LEADER: Dave Richardson 480 451-8808 daver@richspeaking.com CO-LEADER: John Nichols
If you have ever wanted to do little spelunking or cave exploring as well as some hiking then of this trip is for you. We will spend a couple of days touring the commercial sections of Carlsbad caverns. Some of these tours will be guided by park rangers, others will be guided by your leader (member National Speleological Society 45 years). Additional tours will give us some real caving experience using hard hats and headlamps. For those interested in spending a few (or more) days hiking, we'll check out over 100 great hikes in Carlsbad as well as Guadalupe Mountains National Park in nearby west Texas. We will spend one evening watching as nearly 400,000 bats exit Carlsbad Caverns in search of smorgasbord of insects for dinner. Cost for the trip is $325 which includes lodging and entry fees for the two main cave tours. Meals, transportation, and some cave tours not included. Call or e-mail the leader for more information.
October - North Rim Backroads Trip (Interest Only)
LEADERS: Joyce Morningstar and Dave Tutch 602 299-7244
This remote area of the Grand Canyon North Rim lies between Kanab Canyon and the Uinkaret Mountains. Toroweap provides awesome canyon views from sheer cliffs 3000 feet above the Colorado River. Total trip length is 6 days and includes hikes along the canyon rim and in the Mt. Trumbull Wilderness and the Mt. Logan Wilderness areas, a slot canyon hike near Marble Canyon, the Nampaweap petrogylphs, and visiting historic buildings at Pipe Spring National Monument and Lee's Ferry. Accommodations include 2 nights in hotels and 3 nights of backcountry camping. Backcountry camping gear and a high-clearance 4WD vehicle are required for participation.
January 30-February 6, 2010 - FWSA Keystone Ski Trip
The Far West Ski Association's annual ski week will be held at Keystone, Colorado in 2010. Price includes lodging, 5-day lift ticket (inter-changeable with Beaver Creek, Vail and Breckenridge), welcome party, pub crawl, mountain picnic, après-ski party, farewell banquet, Council Night dinner and racing. A price for air transportation is TBD. This drip draws 300-400 skiers from all the western states and gets rave reviews! Package price is from $1103-$1229, depending on lodging. Air is not included. For more information, contact Lee Lambie at lee.lambie@cox.net or 602 468-2429.
