Summer 2013 Echo (2.4 MB pdf) - Arizona Sierra Club

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14 Sierra Club Grand Canyon ChapterExplore and Enjoy ArizonaFor up-to-date information about outings, visit http://arizona.sierraclub.org/outings.asp.JUL 27 (SAT) “A” Red Ridge Trail (13.8mi., 3200’ EC). Join us for a cool summerouting atop Mt. Lemmon. The Red RidgeTrail makes a steep descent down thenorth side of the Santa Catalina Mountainsand wanders through a landscapeof burned trees, an impressive reminderof the fire that burned through this area10 years ago. The forest has made animpressive recovery and, in many of theburned areas, there is beautiful newgrowth, including wildflowers, and incredibleviews. From the Red Ridge Trail,we will be utilizing a network of trails includingthe East Fork, Canada del Oro,and Mt. Lemmon trails to constitute anawesome loop. We will be discussingthe role of fire in the Coronado NationalForest of southeastern Arizona. ContactMitch Stevens at 520-991-1199 ormitchstevens@qwestoffice.net. TucsonJUL 28 (SUN) “C+” Knoll’s Hole (8 mi.RT, 1500’ EC). Visit the scenic Sierra AnchaWilderness Area north of Globe. Wewill hike up through the “switch backs,”then take a secondary trail up to the7400’ level before descending throughan aspen grove. At our lunch break, wewill discuss various conservation issuesthat affect this wilderness area: uraniummining, roads, and forest fires. Wewill pass Knoll’s Hole Spring on the wayback, which is a reliable water source. Excellentviews of Reynolds Creek Canyon.Hopefully Reynolds Creek Falls will havea good flow of water. Contact Jim Vaalerat 602-553-8208 or jimvaaler@msn.com. PhoenixAUG 17 (SAT) “C” Wilderness of Rocks(8 mi. RT, 900’ EC). This hike will start outin the cool at the top of Mt. Lemmon. Wewill explore the natural sculpture gardenof rock formations known as the “Wildernessof Rocks.” We will also visit LemmonPools at the head of Lemmon Canyon.Contact Donald Smith at 520-591-9938 ordonsc@the3smiths.com. TucsonAUG 24 (SAT) Palisades Canyon (13.6 mi.RT, 3300’ EC). A technical canyon in the middleof the Santa Catalinas. For this technicaltrip you will need to bring appropriate gear,which will include harness, helmet, rappellingdevice, and several locking carabiners.Explore, Enjoy, Learn, and ContributePlease note that any funds in excess of trip expenses will be used to support chapterprojects. Carpooling is available for all trips. For reservations and information about thefollowing outings, please contact Bev Full at 480-221-2554 or bfull@cox.net.Paddlers on the Green River through Canyonlands. Photo by Dianne Leis.JUL 14–16 (SUN–TUE) Canoe/Kayak the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. We’llpaddle 11 miles of the river and camp and swim at Boulder Beach on Lake Mead. Cost:$295 includes canoe rentals, shuttles, fees, and meals in camp and on the river.AUG 17–12 (SUN–FRI) Raft the Green River through Flaming Gorge and BrownsPark. Carpool to Arches National Park to camp and hike. Stay in cabins at FlamingGorge Dam. Raft through 8 named (but easy) rapids and camp two nights along theriver. Cost: $335 includes raft rentals, shuttles, cabins, camp fees, and meals.SEP 15–17 (SUN–TUE) Explore Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Carpool to LakePowell National Recreation Area to camp and swim. Take the ferry to explore RainbowBridge National Monument along the shore. Cost: $175 includes ferry, camp fees, andmeals in camp.The group leaders will provide 200’ of rope,rappel rings, 80’ of webbing, and pull cord.The crux entails 7 spectacular rappels, featuringimpressive waterfalls and stunningscenery. Participants need to be experiencedat technical canyoneering and have had atleast two canyons under their belt as well ascompleted a strenuous hike within the last6 months. Contact Mitch Stevens at mitchstevens@qwestoffice.netor Donald Smith at520-591-9938 or donsc@the3smiths.com.TucsonSEP 15 (SUN) “C” Aspen Loop Trail (4 mi.,650’ EC). We will start early and drive to MarshallGulch high in the Santa Catalina Mountains.During a snack break, we will discussthe effects of the Bullock and Aspen Fires(2002 and 2003) and the role of natural firein southern Arizona’s Sky Islands. Limit 18.Contact Meg Weesner at 520-290-1723 ormweesner@att.net. TucsonSEP 21–22 (SAT–SUN) “B” Wet BeaverCreek Water Hike (11 mi. RT, little EC). Joinus for a hike and swim through Wet BeaverCreek, 3.5 hours north of Tucson. We will hikeon the Bell Trail for 3.5 miles before boulderhopping, splashing, and floating through thecreek for 2 miles upstream. Expect considerablescrambling, wading, swimming, andbushwhacking. The red sandstone walls willclose in and create several beautiful poolsthat we will swim and float through. Strong,agile hikers with a sense for adventure willlove this outing. We will drive up Saturdayafternoon and car camp that evening. Sundaywill be a long day, dawn to dusk. Joiningus will be Gary Hendrickson of Phoenixwho has led several Wet Beaver Creek hikesand is familiar with the area. Contact MitchStevens at 520-991-1199 mitchstevens@qwestoffice.net. TucsonSEP 28 (SAT) “B+” Doyle Peak (10 mi. RT,2800’ EC). We will start from the FreidleinPrairie Trailhead at 8600’ and walk to thesummit of Doyle Peak at 11460’. We shouldbe able to see areas that were burned bythe Schultz Fire from a couple of summersago. The final scramble to the summit ofDoyle is through an area that contains manybristlecone pines. There is a register on thesummit. Contact Jim Vaaler at 602-553-8208 or jimvaaler@msn.com. PhoenixSEP 28 (SAT) “A” Mount Wrightson (13.6mi. RT, 3750’ EC). This peak is located in theSanta Ritas and is the highest point in thearea surrounding Tucson. We will do a loophike where we ascend Florida Saddle, walkthe ridge trail to Mt. Wrightson, and descendthe Gardner Canyon Trail. You will be rewardedwith expansive views of the surroundingarea. Plan on a full day of hiking. ContactDonald Smith at 520-591-9938 or donsc@the3smiths.com. TucsonOCT 5 (SAT) “B+” Mt. Ord (15 mi. RT). Thedirt road up Mt. Ord in the Mazatzal Mountainsascends nearly 4000’ to a group oftowers at the forested 7128’ summit. Onthis climb, we’ll follow this road as it passesthrough several vegetation zones. In the process,we’ll enjoy many fine vistas. Drive 55mi. from Scottsdale. Call Ken McGinty at602-265-2854. PhoenixOCT 12 (SAT) “B+” Fortuna Peak (10 mi.,1300’ EC). This peakbag will take us up tothe 5260’ high summit of Fortuna Peak inthe mountains north of Superior. Althoughmuch of the hike will be on dirt roads, theoff-trail route will involve steep and slipperyslopes and thick, spiny, and brushy vegetation.Views from the top will be excellent.Drive 70 mi. from Tempe. Call Ken McGintyat 602-265-2854. Phoenixhttp://arizona.sierraclub.org
Summer 2013 Canyon Echo 15Explore and Enjoy ArizonaFor up-to-date information about outings, visit http://arizona.sierraclub.org/outings.asp.Deer Creek to Kanab Creek – An EpicGrand Canyon TrekBy Mitch StevensThings were not goingparticularly well, certainlynot as planned. We missedthe high route, supposedlyleading us above the Coloradoatop the Tapeats Sandstone.We were a mile westof Deer Creek, crawlingup a steep, rotten, crumblyslope under a broiling sun.For every two steps up, weslid a foot back. Sweat waspouring out of me, and dehydrationwas a concern. Iheard a crashing sound thensuddenly one of my hikingmates yelled, “Rock!” Apparently,a sizable boulder wasdislodged from above andcareened down the rock face,resembling a missile, missingme by just a few feet. If I hadbeen standing a little to theleft, I may have been crushedor swept off the cliff.This was the fourth dayof a nine-day backpackingjourney from MonumentPoint to Sowats Point. Thisclassic trek encompassed Thunder River,Tapeats Canyon, Deer Creek Narrows andFalls, the Colorado River, and the KanabCreek Wilderness – a loop of 55 miles. TheDeer Creek to Fishtail Canyon stretch wassupposedly the easier of the two-day slogalong the river. The next day’s walk was fromFishtail to Kanab and, in the estimation ofmany, the most difficult of the trip.But the scenery was sublime. The crystalclear acid-green Colorado wound sinuouslya few hundred feet below, cutting through1.7-billion-year-old Vishnu Schist and ZoroasterGranite, representing about a thirdof our planet’s history. Above the Tapeatson both sides of the river rose rock layers ofThe Patio. Photo by Mitch Stevens.the ages: Bright Angel Shale, Mauv, RedwallLimestone, Supai, Hermit Shale, CoconinoSandstone, Toroweap, and, finally, the Kaibabformation capping both rims. This prominentlimestone layer represents the youngestrocks of Grand Canyon, about 220 millionyears old. It was formed when a huge inlandsea covered much of western North Americaas the super continent Pangaea began tobreak apart.We safely climbed to the top of the Tapeatsand located our route, no worse for thewear. The following day’s hike, despite thedire warnings, proved to be fairly straightforward,a boulder-hopping, sand-slogging,and bushwhacking romp along the river.Outings LeadersHappy Hour/DinnerTuesday, July 95:30 p.m.Chili’s Grill2057 E. Camelback Rd., PhoenixMeet and visit with Sierra Club OutingsLeaders to share experiences, ideas, and materials. If you are not a leader yet butare thinking of becoming one, you are especially welcome. Chapter OutingsChair Jim Vaaler and Outings Vice-Chair Bev Full will be there to greet you.For more information, contact Bev Full at 480-221-2554 or bfull@cox.net.A day later, we entered a narrow cathedral-likecanyon off Kanab Creek known asWhispering Falls. The soaring pink canyonwalls were adorned with redbud trees, monkey-flowers,and ferns. The sound of drippingwater was our background accompaniment.It was as if we had arrived at an innersanctum of some sacred place of worship.After time well spent climbing and wadingthrough pools, we arrived at the aptly namedWhispering Falls. It’s a spring-fed, mosscoveredwaterfall spilling 125 feet into anemerald pool, perfect for a refreshing swim.Hiking GuidelinesScenes and experiences such as this make itall priceless, worthwhile, and why we continuereturning to the canyon country, timeand time again.Mitch is the Rincon Group’s Outings Chair.The Sierra Club is a nationwide organization with active local outings for members and non-members.Please join us as we make friends and explore life-enriching interests. Simply find an outing by dateand contact the leader for directions, reservations, time, and additional information. RESTRICTIONS: NOFIREARMS, RADIOS, OR PETS (unless noted otherwise). Outings are by reservation. Call early (group limit20). Each hike is rated for degree of difficulty and risk by the leader.“A” >16 miles or > 3,000 ft. elevation change (EC)“B” 8–16 miles and 1,500–3,000 ft. EC“C” 3–8 miles, 500–1,500 ft. EC RT Round Trip“D”
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