Hike Schedule–January, February, March 2011

Here is the hike schedule for the balance of the hiking year. Come out and join us! We meet every Friday at the main mailboxes at 8:00 and leave at 8:15.

January Hikes

January 7 – New Hike – Go John/Overton Trails
Longer hike – This is a hike in the Cave Creek Regional Park, an area that we have not hiked before. It is an easier and enjoyable hike to get you started and into shape for the upcoming harder hikes. ( C+) 6.1 miles
Shorter Hike – The same hike only on a shorter trail for the last 1.3 miles. (C+) – 5.5 miles
January 14 – American Flag Ranch Trail
Longer hike – This is a great hike which is part of the Arizona Trail and was very popular when we did it last year. It is a very scenic climb to a ridge overlooking the Biosphere and the area around Oracle. (B) 7.4 miles
Shorter hike – This is a hike on the same trail but will travel a shorter distance.  (C+) 5 miles
January 21 -
Longer hike – Ventana Canyon – This is a short hike up a canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains to an area with pools and water falls. It crosses a creek numerous times and has a very steep section before getting to the pols area. B -  4.8 miles 
Shorter Hike – Sabino Canyon Valley Loop – This is a hike in the flats of Sabino Canyon that includes a trip to the Sabino Creek Dam. (C) 5 miles.
January 28 – Picket Mountain South Trail
Longer hike – This a scenic hike along the base of Picketpost Mountain near Superior and up a valley to the south. (B ) - 11 miles
Shorter hike – The same hike but for a shorter distance. (C+) 6 miles

February Hikes

February 4 -

Longer hike – Black Mesa Loop – This is a very popular and scenic hike in the Superstition Mountains. It climbs to a flat, then descends to a valley and loops back to the trailhead. (B-) 9 miles

Shorter hike – Hackberry Springs Trail – This is a hike from the same trailhead and on the same trail as the longer hike for a way but then heads west to a spring and then a horse corral. A great hike. (C+) – 5 miles

February 11 -

Longer Hike – Wild Mustang – This is a very interesting hike with some great views of the Tortolita Mountains area. It climbs steeply at first, then more gently before going along a flat area and descending to Wild Burro Canyon. (B) 9 miles

Shorter hike – Thunderbird Loop Trail – This a nice hike in the flat area in the west part of Saguaro National Park West. It travels through an area thick with Saguaro Cactus and has some petroglyphs as well. ( C) 6.8 miles

February 18 -

Longer hike – Bluff Springs Loop – This is a great hike in the Superstition Mountains. It starts off in a valley, climbs to a saddle and past Miner’s Needle, a rock spire with a hole at the top. It then goes up a flat valley to a creek, over to another valley before climbing out to  a series of ridges before descending the the trailhead. (B) 8.5 miles

Shorter hike – Saguaro Lake – This hike goes along the shore of the lake then c;limbs to a ridge and across it to an overlook on the north side. ( C) 4.5 miles

February 25 -

 Longer hike – Hat Top Loop – This is a short but fun hike in the Goldfield Mountains that is not for everyone. It involves climbing off- trail up a draw and then scrambling to the top of a prominent hill, then descending to the valley  floor before picking up the trail back to the trailhead. (B) 5.4 miles

Shorter hike – Packsaddle Road Loop – This is an easier hike that starts from the same trailhead as the longer hike but stays on the valley floor as it circles the hill. (C-) 5.3 miles

March Hikes

March 4 -

Longer hike – Wassen Peak via Gould and Sandero Trails – This is a harder hike with some steep climbs up to and along a ridge to the top of Wassen Peak. We will take the King’s Canyon trail back to the trailhead, passing some petroglyphs on the way. It has some spectacular views. (A-) 7.5 miles

Shorter hike – Golden Gate Loop – This is an interesting hike in  Tucson Mountain Park. It travels along the base of Golden gate Mountain into the desert area before looping back to the trailhead.

March  11 -

Longer hike – Peralta to First Water Trailhead – This is a key-exchange hike and the most difficult hike of the year. A good tune up for those folks doing the Grand Canyon hike. It passes through some very scenic areas including the base of Weaver’s Needle. It has a vertical climb/descent of 1,400 feet to Freemont Saddle. (A-) 11.2 miles

Shorter hike – Parker Pass – This hike will start at the First Water trailhead and head to Parker Pass which overlooks the Boulder Creek Flat area. A scenic hike in the Superstitions. (C+) 4.4 miles

March 18/19 – Sedona Hikes
Mark this on your calendar and come with us to Sedona for some spectacular hikes in the Red Rocks area. We will travel to Sedona in the morning of the 18th, hike in the afternoon before going to our hotel for the night. On the 19th we will hike and then go back home. Skip, Connie, Jim and I scouted out some hikes here for us to enjoy. Some are somewhat weather dependent, as there are creeks to cross, so we will decide which hikes we will do closer to the date. One of the hikes, Brins Mesa/Soldiers  Pass is truly spectacular and we will do this one if at all possible. Bring your camera for these hikes!!
March 24/25 - Grand Canyon Hike

March 25 – Fat man’s Pass

Longer hike – Fat Man’s Pass – East – This is a fun hike and a great way to end the season. It climbs to a ridge and then goes between and under some rock formations before descending to the trailhead.(B-) 6.5 miles.

Shorter hike – Fat Man’s Pass West - This is a shorter version of the hike that approaches it from the opposite direction. It passes through the same area of rock formations and both groups will meet in that area for lunch.

That’s it for this year. Hope you enjoyed the hikes. See you next fall!!