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                                                 APRIL 2004    HIKE  SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 3^rd                                                                                                        Level: C, 5.0 miles, <500ft

Baby Jesus Trail , (short version)                                                                              Depart: 8:00am

Hike Leader: Dewey Fitch, 579-5337                                                                          Est. time of return: 2:00pm

We’ll return to the Oracle area at the base of the Catalina Mountains for this leisurely  hike over rolling hills.  After the spring rains this area should be lush green with flowers and ocotillo in bloom.   The Baby Jesus trail is made up of cow paths and mountain bike routes making it interesting to follow.  We’ll be in search of ‘ Harvey ’, the largest know jackrabbit in southern Arizona , often seen in these parts.  Or maybe ‘ Harvey ’ is only the product of an overactive hike leader’s mind.  Bring at least a liter of water, snacks and a light lunch.

Monday, April 5^th                                                                                                          Level: A+, 13.8 miles, 3,000ft

Tanque Verde Ridge Trail                                                                                            Depart: 6:30am

Hike Leader: Dave Rogers, 579-2585                                                                          Est. time of return: 6:00pm

This foray will take us to Saguaro National Park in the southeast corner of the Rincon Mountains .  Leaving the trailhead located at he Javelina picnic area, we’ll follow the ridge gaining 3,000ft to the Juniper Basin Camp.  The trail encounters at least seven peaks along the way;  bypassing some while climbing over others.  It’s all in upper desert terrain with views of the entire Tucson basin to the north.  With few trees along the way, our destination will be a welcome site nestled among Juniper pines.  Bring at least three liters of water, power bars and a hearty lunch for this long hike.   

Tuesday, April 6^th                                                                                                        Level: D, 2.8 miles, 400ft

Linda Vista, Orientation                                                                                             Depart: 8:00am

Hike Leader: George Hammond, 579-3296                                                               Est. time of return: 11:00am

All prospective members of the hiking club are required to partake in an orientation hike though anyone can sign up.  This easy trail is ideal to introduce you to desert trail conditions.  A short drive takes us to the base of Pusch Ridge off Linda Vista Blvd.   We’ll encounter flat sandy areas, gradual elevation gains, steeper switch-back sections, and some rocky spots while covering 2.8 miles and a gain of 400ft.  The hike leader will talk about aspects of hiking with the Club.  Bring some water and trail snacks.

Wednesday, April 7^th                                                                                                     Level: B, 5.4 miles, 1,980ft

Bog Spring / Kent Spring Loop Trail                                                                          Depart: 8:00am

Hike Leader: Frank Price, 579-8013                                                                            Est. time of return: 4:00pm

We’ll travel to Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mts. for this aggressive B level hike.  In the past, we have hiked to Bog Spring; now we’ll continue to Kent Spring gaining 1,980 feet over the first 3.8 miles of this 5.4 mile loop.  After leaving Kent Spring , the fun begins as we come down a challengingly steep old mine road.  Hold on!  This is an excellent trail that’s entirely in forested areas with some great views from several ridge tops.  Bring 1.5 – 2 liters of water, power bars, and lunch.  Sabino Canyon pass or Golden Age Passport required for Madera Canyon .

Tuesday, April 13^th                                                                                                        Level: B-, 8.0 miles, 300ft

Kentucky Camp via Arizona Trail                                                                              Depart: 7:00am

Hike Leader: George Hammond, 579-3296                                                                 Est. time of return: 4:30pm

We’ll enter the Santa Rita Mtn. Range from the east following the dirt Gardner Canyon Road to a parking area where it meets the Arizona Trail.  From here we’ll head north on the Arizona Trail that parallels an old pipeline that supplied water to the gold mines in the Greaterville Mining District.  The trail covers grassy rolling hills where the deer and antelope really do roam.  Our turn around point will be at Kentucky Camp, a staging area during the mining heydays. We’ll have lunch and check out some of the buildings being restored.  Bring at least 1.5 lts of water, snacks, camera and lunch.

April 13^th through April 16^th                                                                                                Level: Various

Hiking in Sedona                                                                                                           

Hike Leaders: Barb and John Farr, 572-7174

Contact the Farrs for details    

Saturday, April 17^th                                                                                                     Level: B+, 7.8 miles, 1,800ft

Wasson Peak , via loop trails                                                                                      Depart: 8:00am

Hike Leader: Dewey Fitch, 579-5337                                                                         Est. time of return: 2:30pm

This will be our last trek to the peak until the cooler weather arrives again this fall.  Dewey will lead us up King Canyon to check out petroglyphs then follow King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak .  Instead of returning via King Canyon Trail, we’ll  use the old mine road which starts at the saddle where Sweetwater joins King Canyon Trail.  I think he’s still looking for ‘ Harvey ’.  This is the quickest way to the top with some steep areas along the way.  Bring at least 2.0 liters of water, snacks and lunch.

Monday, April 19^th                                                                                                        Level: C, 4-5 miles, < 300ft

Wild Burro Canyon, trail clean-up                                                                             Depart: 8:00am

Hike Leader: Tom Feldsein, 744-0887                                                                       Est. Time of return: 2:00pm

At the time of posting this schedule, all details have not been worked out for this interesting venture.  Tom’s intent is to drive up into Wild Burro Canyon , do a little hiking and do a lot of picking up trash.  We’re hoping the town of Marana can pick up the collected bags of trash, but we may have to haul it out ourselves.  We thank Tom for coming up with this way of contributing to enjoyable hiking for us and others.  Bring a light lunch and plenty of water.  Don’t forget to wear your Heritage Highlands Hikers T-shirt.

Wednesday, April 21^st                                                                                       Level: B, 6 or 9.5 miles, 1,100 ft

Cochise Stronghold, Dragoon Mts.                                                                  Depart: 7:00am

Hike Leader: Jan Flory, 572-8851                                                                   Est. time of return: 7:00pm

It’s a hundred mile drive to the trailhead located at the East Cochise Stronghold Campground.  This is a very scenic hike with lush vegetation and huge rock formations.  The hike turnaround is three miles.  The stronger faster hikers may want to continue another 1.75 miles to the West Stronghold.  We will gather back at the campground.  Those who have not toured the American Foundation Museum of Indian Artifacts on Dragoon Rd. ; it’s a must see.  Some may want to stop in Benson for dinner.  Please mention if you want to make either of these stops when signing up.  For non-hikers, there is an 18 hole golf course, Shadow Mountain , at Sunsites.  There’s a $3.00 parking fee at the campground.  Bring water and a light lunch and perhaps pack a cooler for the trunk.

Monday, April 26^th                                                                                                        Level: B +, 10-12 miles

Adventure Hike, Aravaipa Canyon                                                                            Depart: 6:00am

Hike Leader: Tom Feldsein, 744-0887                                                                       Est. time of return: 6:00pm

An email has been sent to members prior to posting this schedule.

We’ll drive 60 miles North on Highway 77 past the town of Mammoth and start the hike in the foothills of the Galiuro Mts.  This is an unusual/adventurous hike.  With little elevation gain, this is not a difficult hike.  However, the trail is not well defined and for most of it, we will be wading in a stream, sometimes up to our knees.  Nine major side canyons feed into Aravaipa Canyon and has been described as ‘A Gem of the Southwest Desert’, with it’s 1000 ft remarkably colored walls.   We’ll try to venture 5-6 miles up this 11 mile canyon.  Bring old hiking boots (if you have them), dry socks, towel and of course, 2 lts of water, lunch and snacks.  Access to the canyon is by permit only.  We have obtained a limited number of permits.  Signup list may be full so, check on standby.  Cost of the permits is $5.00 per person.

Wednesday, April 28^th                                                                                                     Level: C, 4.5 miles, <100ft

Tubac/Tumacacori                                                                                                           Depart: 7:30am

Hike Leader: Deb Sesow , 572-2381                                                                             Est. time of return: 1-3 pm

This hike had been scheduled in February but was cancelled due to snow.

Jaun Bautista de Anza left Cullacan, Mexico in 1775 to establish a colony in California.  We’ll retrace a short portion of his route between Tubac and Tumacacori along the Rio de Santa Cruz.  This 4.5 mile trek is fairly flat as we meander through this riparian area.  Half the group will depart from Tubac while the others depart from Tumacacori, depending where you want to end up.  Some may want to end up in Tubac for lunch and shopping.  Bring snacks and water.