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Aravaipa Canyon Hikers: Ray Gearhard, Fred Kennedy, Peggy Shea, Phil McNamee, Kathy Gish, Cheryl Werstler, Elisabeth Wheeler, Kent Naugle and Elaine Kline (Bob Shea not pictured)

 

Hikers exploring "Horse Camp Canyon"

 

SaddleBrooke Hikers Explore Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area
By Bob Shea

It's wild! There are no trails, designated campsites, signs or facilities inside the wilderness area. Aravaipa comes from the Papago A'Ay Waipia which means "little wells". Aravaipa Creek flows year-round, a rare treasure in the dry Arizona desert. Nurtured by this reliable flow, large sycamore, ash, cottonwood and willow trees hug the stream. The large trees are flanked by a lush tangle of riparian plants and shrubs. There are nine major side canyons in addition to the 11 mile long main canyon to explore.
Cheryl Werstler led 9 SaddleBrooke hikers into Aravaipa Canyon on April 1, 2008. We departed SaddleBrooke at 5:30 a.m. for the 1 ½ hour drive to the trail head just north of Mammoth, Arizona on AZ 77. The spring flowering bright yellow brittlebush plants were in full bloom along the hillsides. This made the drive in very scenic. We started down a short trail which lead into the canyon and were soon hiking in the creek that was surprisingly cold. Much of the hiking route is in the stream itself which was flowing knee deep for most of our journey. The creek bed is mostly sand, but at times consists of gravel and large boulders which slowed the group down as we made our way upstream. We attempted to explore "Hell's Half Acre Canyon" which was the first major side canyon that we encountered. It proved to be nearly impossible to negotiate due to several massive boulders blocking the route very near it's confluence with Aravaipa Creek. The next few hours were spent hiking upstream enjoying the beautiful vistas of the canyons and the numerous wildflowers along the way. The creek is flanked by 400 to 600 foot high rock walls that vary in color from gray to orange to red. Cheryl wanted us to explore "Horse Camp Canyon" which is approximately 4 miles upstream from our starting point. It took us 3 hours to reach the mouth of that canyon and begin our exploration of it. There was little water in this canyon and we made good progress along its slickrock creek bed. We were abruptly stopped after about a mile by a large waterfall which made further progress quite dangerous. The group at that point decided that was far enough for the day and we all settled in for some lunch in a shady alcove.
The trip out consisted of retracing our route in for the most part. We did explore a portion of Virgus Canyon, but left a more in-depth exploration for another trip. The water was much warmer in the afternoon and it was fun to splash around in it as we hiked out. At the trail head we enjoyed cold drinks and discussed when we might be able to get back to the beautiful canyon to hike it again. Thanks to Cheryl for leading a very enjoyable hike.
 

 

From left: 1st & 2nd rows---Mary Croft, Carole Rossof, Cheryl Werstler, Cheryl Straw, Martha Hackworth, Jan Wilson, Elisabeth Wheeler, Sandy Businger, and Michael Reale.  Back row---Jan Springer, Sandra Sowell, Dean Werstler, Marv Rossof, Jim Strickler, Dave Hydeman, and Dean Wilson.

Hiking Club Holds Spring Picnic and Elections
by Lou Powers 

The 518 member SaddleBrooke Hiking Club held it's annual Spring Picnic March 26th at Catalina State Park.  A great turnout enjoyed the delicious potluck luncheon organized by Social Volunteer Cheryl Straw.

Earlier in the day there were 3 special events.  One was a hike to Dripping Springs off the Sutherland Trail led by Michael Reale, another was a Geology Walk led by Karen Gray, and the third was a Hiking Orientation meeting led by Jan Wilson.  Special thanks to these volunteers for their efforts, especially Jan who came on her little scooter after having had surgery.

A business meeting was held to elect new officers.  The new slate will be: President, Michael Reale; Vice President, Dave Hydeman; Secretary, Marjorie Herrmann; Treasurer, Elizabeth Tancock; and Chief Hiking Guide, Jim Strickler.  Michael Reale conducted the meeting and thanked the previous year's officers and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.  Some  that were not returning to positions were Susan Robertshaw, Jan Springer, Elisabeth Wheeler, and Mary Hlushko.  Those volunteers serving for 2008 are Carole Rossof, Newsletter; Lou Powers, Publicity; Bob Perez, Membership; Cheryl Straw, Social; Sandra Businger, Merchandise; Martha Hackworth, Newsletter Copies; and Jim Strickler, Work Days. 

A large part of the Hiking Club's success is due to the tireless efforts of all the volunteer Hiking Guides.  They keep us safe and don't let us get lost while we enjoy our conversations and sightseeing. 

Those serving in this capacity are Judy Barenkopf, Frank Brier, Sandy Businger, Chris Costello, Philip Cotton, Mary Croft, Larry Dawson, Larry Dukatz, Debbie Dyer, Karen Gray, Dave Hydeman, Fred Kennedy, Bill Leightenheimer, Greg Lindahl, Larry Linderman, Rick Phelps, Michael Reale, Mary Richling, Susan Robertshaw, Marv Rossof, Sandra Sowell, Jim Strickler, Don Taylor, Cheryl and Dean Werstler, Elisabeth Wheeler, and Jan and Dean Wilson.  Our hiking hats go off to all of you---you're our heroes.

 For further information regarding the Hiking Club please contact Michael Reale 825-8286.

 

 

 

 

Hiking Through The Santa Catalinas
 by Cheryl Werstler 

We in SaddleBrooke are fortunate to live against the backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains.  A day never goes by that we are not affected by the majesty of this magnificent range.  Members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club have probably taken more opportunities to enjoy this wonderful resource than many others in the community. 

The Santa Catalina Mountains have been important to humans for many centuries.  The Hohokam Indians were traced through their bedrock mortars and petroglyphs to 900 A.D.  The Pima Indians roamed the mountains as early as the late 1600's.  By the early 1800's Apache Indians hunted in the Catalinas and occasionally raided nearby settlements.  Mining activity began in the 1880's and Anglos built trails into the Catalinas looking for precious metals.  Later trails were built into the high country by Tucsonans looking for relief from the heat of the summer.  By 1920 a rough road went from Oracle to a logging camp in Upper Sabino Canyon, now Summerhaven.  Construction by federal prisoners began for a paved road from Tucson in 1933, and Catalina Highway was completed in 1951.  Very little development occurred in the mountain range before the 20th Century.  A few cabins were built during the early 1900's, but it has only been since World War II that most of the development has come about.  In 1948 Trico Electric built a powerline up the west side of the range to serve an Air Force radar station on Mount Lemmon.  This station has since been deactivated and is now used by the University of Arizona for astronomical purposes.  Mount Lemmon is also the site for several television transmitters and a fire lookout tower.  Mount Lemmon's Ski Valley is the southernmost winter sports facility in the country. 

 The Catalinas became protected in 1902 as the Catalina Forest Preserve, and in 1908 as the Coronado National Forest.  In 1978, 56,933 acres were closed to future development and motor vehicles.  This resulted when nearly the entire Front Range of the Catalinas was preserved as the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area.  The Catalinas are one of a dozen Sky-Island mountain ranges in the Coronado National Forest.  In elevation the mountains vary from 2,750 feet at the Visitor Center in Sabino Canyon to 9,157 feet at the summit of Mt. Lemmon.  They cover an area of over 200 square miles and contain more than 170 miles of trails.
 
The Santa Catalinas are divided into four sections.  Most of the Front Range lies within the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area.  It comprises seven canyons and runs west and south of Sabino and Romero Canyons.  It is the most rugged portion of the Catalinas and is well known as the background setting for the city of Tucson.  First prospectors and then cattlemen built trails in the canyons, however, unless the Forest Service took over their maintenance, most of them can no longer be followed.  Today trails go all or part way up Romero, Pima, Finger Rock, Pontatoc, Ventana, Esperero and Sabino Canyons.  However, with the exception of Mount Kimball, none of the peaks along the crest can be reached by a trail.  Catalina State Park is located on the north side of Pusch Ridge and provides access to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area.

The North Ridge section of the Catalinas includes the part we SaddleBrookers gaze upon every day.  It is made up of two major ridges, Samaniego and Oracle, and two interior ridges, Red Ridge and Reef of Rocks.  Also included is the Canada del Oro which drains the entire area between Samaniego and Oracle Ridges.  The trails through these areas come into the North Ridges from the top of Mount Lemmon. 

The North-East Back Country is the portion of the Catalinas east of Oracle-Summerhaven Road and north and east of Mount Lemmon Highway.  Most of this area drains into the San Pedro River.  It is the most remote and least visited area of the range, but much of it is at higher elevations and some trails are popular during summer months.  Extensive loops can be followed by backpackers, however, some trails are not well maintained. 

The Central Canyon section comprises the heart of the Catalinas, consisting of drainage canyons running south from the crest of the range and west of Mount Lemmon Highway.  Most of the development in the Catalinas is located in this section in the areas of Willow Canyon, Soldier Camp, and Summerhaven.  This is also the location of the popular Sabino Canyon recreational area. 

Forty-seven miles of the 800 miles of the Arizona Trail goes through the Santa Catalinas, from The Lake, north of Redington Pass Road, to near the town of Oracle.  Much of the route is in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness area, but parts run through the North-East Back Country, the Central Canyons, and the North Ridges sections. 

The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club follows a long history of exploration in the Santa Catalina Mountains.  There are 152 hikes in the Hiking Club database in the mountain range proper or in the locations immediately adjacent Catalina State Park and the Fifty-Year Trail area.  During the year ending April, 2007, the Club offered 252 hikes outside of SaddleBrooke.  Of these 252 hikes, 110 were in the Catalinas and immediate adjacent areas, and went to 38 of the 152 Catalina locations in the database.  Eight hundred eight (808) hikers enjoyed these 110 hikes. Thirty-eight hikes enjoyed by 272 hikers were offered from Catalina State Park.  Seventeen hikes enjoyed by 133 hikers were offered from the Fifty-Year Trail area.  The most frequently offered hike was Romero Pools followed by Dripping Springs.  The single hike enjoyed by the most hikers (19) was to Ramsfield Pass on Feb. 29.  The hike with the highest average hiker attendance was the Sutherland Wash Petroglyphs, averaging 11 hikers per hike.  Other popular hikes were Deer Camp, the Sutherland Trail, Canyon Loop, Pima Canyon to the first dam, Alamo Canyon, Ramsfield Pass, and Blackett's Ridge.  Unfortunately, Phoneline Trail, a frequently enjoyed hike in past years, was closed due to flooding damage. 

The Catalina Mountains impact each and every one of us every day in SaddleBrooke.  I thought you would enjoy some statistics on how the Hiking Club has enjoyed its trails in recent months.  Now is a particularly good time to focus on the Catalinas because with hiking opportunities curtailed during the hotter months, higher elevation trails in our mountains still beckon.  Examples of these trails are Marshall Gulch, Aspen Trail, Wilderness of Rocks, Mt. Lemon Trail, and Butterfly Trail, all accessed by Mt. Lemmon Highway.  So, we hope to see you hiking the trails! 

For Hiking club information please contact Michael Reale 825-8286

 

 

 

Hike to the Panther Peak

By Lou Powers
 

 

Hikers Left to right in picture are:  Cheryl Straw, Cass McGovern, Jan Wilson, Curt Hulteen, Larry & Mary Ann Dawson.  Dean Wilson was taking the picture

SaddleBrooke hikers were out on Friday Oct. 20, 2007 to enjoy some of the great desert scenery we have in the Tucson Mountains.  We drove out W. Ina Road to the Picture Rocks area.  We hiked the Roadrunner Trail/wash straight towards Panther Peak.  This area is frequented by Roadrunners, however, we didn't happen to see any.  Panther Peak is so named, because Panthers (a.k.a. Puma, Mountain Lion) used to be abundant in this area.  The only wildlife we saw was an occasional lizard, and cactus wren.  At the base of the mountain we made a right turn into Panther Peak Wash.  After awhile we took a break and ate snacks.  Eventually, we crossed Picture Rocks road, then another right turn onto Cam-Boh Trail and back to the Cam-Boh picnic area in Saquaro Park West, where our cars were parked.  Picnic lunch under the ramada, followed by our drive home ended a great hike.

 

 

 

Historical Hike to the Tonto National Monument

By Lou Powers
 


Hike participants from left to right:  Dick Krueger, Lou Powers, Marlene Olson, Sue Gleich, Fred Kennedy, Terry Habinek, Debra and James Arkoosh, Lora Lowden, and hike leader Sandra Sowell

                    

An historical hike, led by Sandra Sowell, was enjoyed by 10 members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club to the Tonto National Monument .  The group gained special access to the Upper Cliff Dwellings, and enjoyed a 3 ½ hour park ranger guided tour of the home of the Salado Indians (People of the Salt River).  It felt as if we had stepped back in time to the days when clothing and shoes were made of reeds, and water carried up the steep hills in baskets.  The smoke of the cooking fires still blackens the walls of the cliff  homes 700 years later.  Many sites in the park are being explored  by archeologists to gain further insight into the lives of these people. There's also a 20 minute educational movie in the Visitor Center you won't want to miss.


Located just north of the Superstition Wilderness, east of Phoenix, it was a scenic drive up through Globe until we arrived at the Tonto Monument/Roosevelt Lake area on Rte.188.  We continued on to explore the educational Visitor Center and Roosevelt Dam.  The rest of the adventure was a winding drive along The Apache Trail that left some of us leaning away from the edge.  But, it was worth every curve to see the spectacular views of the cliffs surrounding Roosevelt and Apache Lakes.


In case you wish to experience the trip for yourself, the Lower Cliff Dwellings are always accessible by a self-guided tour.  But, the Upper Cliff Dwellings are only toured by reservation on weekends November through April.  Additional weekday tours are added as visitation increases.  It's a 3 mile roundtrip back country trail that travels in a creek bed through a riparian area, then gains 600 feet in elevation by way of switchbacks.  Full moon evening hikes are offered December through March.   For reservations call the National Forest Service at 928-467-2241 and enjoy your step back in time.


For SaddleBrooke Hiking Club information please call President, Susan Robertshaw 818-6727.

 

 

06/15/2008