Guided Public Hikes...
...in the Proposed Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness
Area
We're organizing public hikes in the Tumacacori Highlands proposed Wilderness area!
Pine Canyon
(photo by Jen Schmidt)
We'll likely be doing hikes again in Fall 2007. Check back then for more information.
Here's the Fall 2006 schedule for background: (download a printable flyer here [780K PDF])
| Day |
Date |
Hike |
| Saturday |
10/14/06 |
Atascosa Lookout |
| Sunday |
10/22/06 |
Bartolo Canyon and Mountain (Sierra Club hike) |
| Sunday |
10/29/06 |
Montana Peak (Sierra Club hike) |
| Saturday |
11/18/06 |
Atascosa Lookout |
| Saturday |
11/25/06 |
Ramanote Canyon |
| Saturday |
12/09/06 |
Bartolo Canyon |
Hikes will have morning carpool meeting locations. It'll work like this:
We'll meet in and depart from Tucson, then, depending on who is going, meet those from areas to the south (Green Valley, Tubac, Arivaca, Nogales), then go to the trailhead. For this to work smoothly, folks have to be at the carpool locations on time so we can keep moving. Yes, we know that means us.
Maps to the carpool locations (please note that these locations may vary depending on who has signed-up for the hike):
In Tucson, Sky Island Alliance offices, 738 N. 5th Ave. (good scones and coffee to be had at Epic Cafe, around the corner)
In Tubac, outside the Tubac Deli, Plaza Road.(Good coffee and breakfasts)
In Rio Rico, the Pilot gas station/truckstop at I-19 Exit 12, east side of highway.
Details about the hikes, including carpool meeting times:
Please reserve a spot for the hikes that interest you. While we welcome late additions, we need to have a count and contact information for folks so we can advise you of any schedule changes, cancellations, and the like.
These hikes vary in difficulty; hikers should be comfortable with backcountry and off-trail hiking at day-hiking pace. If you have any questions about specific hikes, please ask us. And, please note that the estimated return times are very much "estimates" and may vary considerably due to conditions in the field and other factors.
| Hike: Saturday, 10/14/06, Atascosa Lookout |
| Description: A 6-mile roundtrip hike to a restored fire lookout atop Atascosa Ridge. The trail is maintained, mostly smooth, and the elevation gain (about 1500 feet) is easily managed with switchbacks. The views from the top are stunning and panoramic. The classic hike for the area. |
| Carpool Meeting Times: depart Tucson 7:00AM |
| Additional Notes: none. |
|
| Hike: Sunday, 10/22/06, Bartolo Canyon and Mountain (Sierra Club) |
| Description:
"B" Hike Bartolo Canyon, Tumacacori Mountains (aprox. 8 miles RT, w/ 1500 EC). Come and explore Bartolo Canyon, a little known canyon in the proposed Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Area. This canyon offers surprisingly lush vegetation, some narrow sections, seasonal pools and lots of exposed rock. We will have opportunities to explore interesting side canyons and to climb Bartolo Mountain. A representative from the Sky Island Alliance will be with us to talk about the wilderness proposal and to answer questions. Bring plenty of water and lunch/snacks. Contact Drew Milsom at 908-1087 (evenings) or 621-2678 (daytime). |
| Carpool Meeting Times: contact Hike Leader |
| Additional Notes: This is a Sierra Club hike; we will be along to discuss the Wilderness proposal. For more information, and to register for this hike, please see: http://arizona.sierraclub.org/rincon/outings.html and contact the Hike Leader. |
|
| Hike: Sunday, 10/29/06, Montana Peak (Sierra Club) |
| Description:
"B" Hike Montana Peak, Tumacacori Mountains (approx.5 miles round trip and 1500' EC). On this exploration, we will take I-19 to Arivaca Junction and then to Arivaca. From there we will follow the Ruby road almost to Ruby and then down a 4x4 road for about 2 miles. The hike will be a slow paced cross country trip requiring navigation around cactus, brush, over rock, and up steep slopes. High clearance vehicles are necessary, but we will probably not need 4x4s. The total drive will be about 120 miles round trip. Be sure to bring lunch and sufficient water. This peak is within the proposed Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness and a representative from the Sky Island Alliance will be with us to talk about the proposal and answer questions. Contact Peter Bengtson 520-219-3507 days and evenings or Meg Weesner 290-1723 evenings. |
| Carpool Meeting Times: contact Hike Leader. |
| Additional Notes: This is a Sierra Club hike; we will be along to discuss the Wilderness proposal. For more information, and to register for this hike, please see: http://arizona.sierraclub.org/rincon/outings.html and contact the Hike Leader. |
|
| Hike: Saturday, 11/18/06, Atascosa Lookout |
| Description: A 6-mile roundtrip hike to a restored fire lookout atop Atascosa Ridge. The trail is maintained, mostly smooth, and the elevation gain (about 1500 feet) is easily managed with switchbacks. The views from the top are stunning and panoramic. The classic hike for the area. |
| Carpool Meeting Times: depart Tucson 7:00AM |
| Additional Notes: none. |
|
| Hike: Saturday, 11/25/06, Ramanote Canyon |
| Description: This beautiful canyon on the east side of the Tumacacori Highlands can give a rare treat: hiking in shade. We'll hike in-and-out, approximately 6 miles round-trip. |
| Carpool Meeting Times: depart Tucson 7:00AM |
| Additional Notes: none. |
|
| Hike: Saturday, 12/09/06, Bartolo Canyon |
| Description: A rambling hike around Bartolo Mountain following a drainage with explorations of side canyons. |
| Carpool Meeting Times: depart Tucson 7:00AM |
| Additional Notes: none. |
|
Be prepared! Please bring the following on all hikes: appropriate footwear (hiking boots), sunscreen, food for your trail lunch or snacks, and--critically important--water. We recommend one gallon minimum for these hikes, more is always better. You may also want to bring binoculars, a camera, GPS units, a sun hat, whatever you usually hike with. We recommend long pants as some hikes are bushwacking and there may be thorny plants. If you have any questions about what to bring, please ask us in advance.
Please reserve a spot for the hikes that interest you. While we welcome late additions, we need to have a count and contact information for folks so we can advise you of any schedule changes, cancellations, and the like.
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