HERITAGE
HIGHLANDS
HIKERS
INFORMATION GUIDE
This is the sixth edition of the INFORMATION GUIDE. The purpose of the Heritage Highlands Hikers is to promote and provide an easy way to facilitate safe and enjoyable hiking. This Guide will be updated when organizational changes are adapted and pertinent information is added
October, 2004
INTRODUCTION:
In January 2000, after receiving numerous inquiries regarding hiking in the area, Activity Director Liz Nedrow sought a volunteer to conduct guided hikes. Resident George Hammond, who had hiked the surrounding area extensively in 1992 while on a temporary work assignment in Tucson, accepted the task. From February to May of 2000, thirteen easy and moderate hikes were scheduled. Participation was fair with fifty or so folks taking at least one hike and a core group of about fifteen taking most of the hikes. The schedule was posted in the HIGHLANDER with detailed hike description available in the Club House.
During the 2000-2001 hiking season, October thru May, twenty-eight hikes were scheduled, including several more difficult trails like Picacho Peak and Pusch Ridge. The group, as it begun to be called, was still loosely organized; phone George and sign up. Over one hundred folks took at least one hike and the core group grew to over thirty. Gary and Carol Borax, Judy Wilson, Linda Wetherhold, and others organized several picnics and a potluck supper, which were well-attended successes. The highlight of the season was an all day adventure to hike in the Chiricahua Mountains, and then stop in Benson for steaks on the way home.
The number of hikers was growing and requests for more hikes on different days was increasing. Something had to be done… Organize! Several meetings were held during the summer months to discuss how and what should be done to provide more hikes of varying degrees of difficulty. We realized some folks enjoy easy hikes and aren’t interested in more difficult trails; while others want to start out easy and work their way up to more challenging levels. To accomplish this goal, we needed additional volunteers. Gary Borax and Judy Wilson stepped forward to become Hike Leaders. Rather than using easy and moderate to rate trails, a more specific scale will be incorporated which will enable folks to decide what hikes to take. All ‘first time’ hikers will be required to take an orientation hike. This will be an easy D level hike where the Hike Leader will discuss all aspects of hiking in the desert and what Heritage Highlands Hikers are all about.
In October 2002, an annual membership fee was initiated along with formal application requirements. During 2004, an Administration Committee was formed to handle the non-hiking aspects of Club and enable Hike Leader to focus on hiking activities.
It’s hoped that this Guide will encourage those who might be interested to join us for ‘SAFE AND ENOYABLE HIKING’. Remember, when in doubt, take a hike!
ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
It is understood that during the outings you may participate in under the arrangement of the Heritage Highlands Hikers (HHH) group and it’s agents, certain risks and dangers may arise, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling to/from and in the wilderness, wild animals, the forces of nature, accident, and illness. In consideration of the right to participate in such outings and service provided for you by the HHH group and it’s agents, you will be required to assume the risks associated with such outings. You will affirm this by signing the membership application and waiver form and the hike sign-up sheet prior to departure.