Minutes for Meeting of 06-21-2000

Hello Ramblers!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.) Important: Unless otherwise announced, the meeting place for all hikes is behind the Park Student Center, in the parking lot.

2.) Future hiking club meetings, during the summer, will continue to be held in the Forbes building lobby, in case Forbes, Room 307, isn't available.

ANNOUNCEMENT: DIRECTIONS TO THE LAVA TUBE:

The directions to the lava tube, or ice cave as it is also known, are: Go North on US 180 (towards Snowbowl) and continue just past milepost 230. Turn Left on an unmarked dirt road (Forest Service Rd 245) and continue for 3 miles, then follow the signs.

PAST HIKES:

1.) Michael and Mitch did a hike in the Santa Ritas, going up the Cave Canyon Trail, up to Mt. Wrightson, and down Gardner Canyon. They met Massimo's group, going up, while going down.

2.) Robbie went up Ramsey Canyon, in the Huachuca Mountains. He saw more birds, including wild turkey, white tail deer, frogs, and other wildlife.

3.) Steve returned from his 3-week trip in Hawaii. He spent his time on the island of Maui, where he did a 3-day trip inside the Haleakala National Park.

FUTURE HIKES:

1.) The Flagstaff trip for the 4th of July weekend is being arranged by Michael Chamberlain. More information is as follows:

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Hello Ramblers,

Here's the plan for the Flagstaff Fest. There will probably be several
vehicles involved, so the group can split up to do different things when
desired. But bear in mind that large areas of the Coconino National Forest
will be closed to camping and hiking, and even some of the roads may be
shut off. Due to this, my itinerary is rather heavy on Parks & Monuments.
Bring some extra bucks, since most of these charge some entry fee, usually
$2-$5 per person.

For gear, prepare to car camp. We will do some hiking, I anticipate mostly
on the easy side. Day temps may get warm since we'll be a bit lower than
Flagstaff proper. But bring some warm clothes for potentially cold nights
(it gets cold up there).

Friday evening, June 30--Meet behind Park Student Union, 6pm. Drive up to
Flag, gather at Andy's place. (Andy, can you send directions?)

July 1--Visit volcanic sites, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Bonita Lava
Flow, Sunset Crater National Monument, Strawberry Crater Wilderness. Camp
for the night, someplace in the vicinity. The area may be pretty exposed
and no campfires are allowed, but it is a good place to stay in proximity
to...

July 2--Visit Wupatki Natl. Monument. From there, assess the feasibility of
hiking up the Little Colorado from the eastern side of the Monument. If
this doesn't look good, do something else for the remainder of the day.
(Grand Falls? Walnut Canyon Natl. Monument?) Return to Andy's place for the
night.

July 3--Drive down highway 89/179 through the Sedona red rock country.
Check out whatever attractions we can get into, such as Red Rock State
Park, and parts of Oak Creek Canyon which are still open (the water slide
area). Camp someplace around Sedona.

July 4--Continue to explore the red rock country about Sedona, then head
back to Tucson. We may check out the free fireworks display at Wesley Bolin
Plaza in central Phoenix on the way home.

OR begin the day by heading back to Flag, then east on 40, visit Meteor
Crater and then do the Petrified Forest. The Petrified Forest is rather far
off to the east, and this alternative involves a lot of driving, but there
was interest in it expressed at the meeting. Return to Tucson via route 77,
and plan to stop in the Salt River Canyon for an eyeful, and possibly scout
for a future expedition in the area (if there is still light).

Michael
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MISCELLANEOUS OUTDOORS INFORMATION:

1.) There is a web site (free), providing topographic maps of the US: http://www.topozone.com. There is other topographic information, along with statistical information about routes to take also available. Contact Steve: sanewcomb@yahoo.com.

2.) Another good web site, providing a fun resource: http://www.soak.net.

If anyone wants to post additional announcements for any hikes, etc., please feel free to use the listserve. Meanwhile, keep Rambling!

Wolfgang