Minutes for Meeting of 12-13-2000

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.

PAST HIKES:

1.) Joe Leisz did a hike up Agua Caliente Canyon, on Saturday (12/2/2000), as described below:

I went on a hike with three other Ramblers up Agua Caliente Canyon via the Milagrosa Ridge trail. We also explored Milagrosa Wash, which was incredibly beautiful with lots of water and yellow fall leaves everywhere. Spent a nice time skipping rocks on the hike back.

- Joe

2.) Wolfgang did a hike in the northern lower elevation parts of the Santa Rita Mountains on Saturday, basically hiking along the dirt roads. The views were very scenic.

3.) Since there is discussion about the next Paria Canyon trip being planned, relevant information from Michael Dumke's past trip is being presented here:

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Hi Ramblers,

Since we've just been in Buckskin Gulch 4 weeks ago, here are some more
infos about the difficulties. We went from Whitehouse Trailhead to Wire
Pass Trailhead.

* When you go from Wire Pass to Whitehouse, there will be a few climbs
down. The first three are already in Wire Pass Canyon. The 2nd one is easy
even with a backpack on. The 1st and 3rd are a bit higher, about 6 or 7
feet. But if you are a few people, you can help each other, if necessary.
* There is another climb close to the lower end of Buckskin. We climbed
up through a hole in a boulder wall. This hole is too small for body AND
backpack, but again you can help each other. However, this hole may
disappear with the next flood, then you have to climb around. The possible
climbs are about 10 feet high, and are somewhat difficult the direction we
went (maybe a 5.5 climb or so), but downhill it should be okay. It may be
an idea to take a short rope with you (20ft long or so).
* In the middle of Buckskin there were some waist-deep pools, and at the
lower end there was some quicksand. But I expect Buckskin Gulch to be
completely dry in May, so this will not be a problem.
* You should be prepared for several creek crossings in Paria Canyon. I
read articles, where Paria River was also dry above the confluence with
Buckskin, but you never know. The water is probably ankle-deep or lower in
May, and the width of Paria River only 2 or 3 feet then. So if you can make
jumps of 3 feet, you will probably be able to walk there without getting
your feet wet. However, 4 weeks ago we spent more time in the water than
outside, and it was knee-deep and cold (almost frozen).
* Your main concern will be water supply. If Buckskin is dry, you have to
carry water for 14 miles (and even more if Paria is dry, too). I have not
seen any springs in Buckskin Gulch. The hiking itself is easy, and there is
not much elevation change: The trailheads are at 5,000ft, the lowest point
(confluence of Buckskin and Paria) at 4,300ft.

Anyway, Buckskin Gulch is such an incredible place, you will remember it
your whole life. Canyon walls 3 feet apart and 500 feet high, places where
it is as dark as in a cave, ...

Michael
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4.) Stephen Nicolosi did a hike on the Phoneline Trail and Bear Canyon in the Santa Catalinas and the Douglass Spring Trail in the Saguaro National Park East.

5.) Michael Chamberland did a hike in the Canelo Hills, located between the Santa Ritas and Huachuca Mountains.

6.) Torsten did a hike in Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains.

7.) Erich did a hike in the snow in the Santa Catalinas.

FUTURE HIKES:

1.) Hanna is arranging a trip to the Nature Conservancy's Mule Shoe Ranch. The trip involves spending half of the time volunteering to do such things as removing brush, clean up, painting, and pulling exotic plants. With the free time, there would be some hiking and soaking in the natural hot springs. The plan is to depart on Saturday morning (12/16/2000) and return on Sunday afternoon/evening (12/17/2000). The Nature Conservancy has dormitories to stay in. For more information, to make arrangements, and to RSVP, it is important to contact Hanna: hanna@u.arizona.edu

2.) Mead is leading a trip into the Grand canyon. There are some spaces available yet. Details are as follows:

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Ramblers,

Hello! I have a backpacking trip for the Grand Canyon planned for Dec 15 -
20 with several spots open. Here is the tentative itinerary which is
subject to a few changes at the beginning and end of the trip depending on
when people leave for and come back from the canyon.

Friday Dec. 15th drive to the Grand Canyon and stay at Mather's Point
campground on the South Rim.
Saturday 16th hike down South Kaibab trail to Bright Angel Campground and
stay there.
Sunday 17th do day hikes and then camp at Bright Angel again. Monday 18th
hike to Indian Gardens and camp there for that night. Tuesday 19th hike out
and either drive home, stay at Mather's Point campground, or stay in
Flagstaff. Everyone will probably be too tired to drive back to Tucson on
Tuesday, so we will come back on Wednesday 20th instead.

The three nights in the Grand Canyon breaks down to $16/person. There will
also be some fees for each vehicle to enter the Grand Canyon ($20/vehicle)
and for Mather's Point Campground ($10/night w/ 2 cars and 6 people
permitted at each campsite) for Friday Dec. 15th and Tuesday Dec. 19th if
people want to camp on the rim.

Water is available, subject to pipe breaks, at Bright Angel and Indian
Garden campgrounds.

The Grand Canyon website states that the average temperature for December
is 20-43 and 37-57 at the South Rim and Inner Canyon, respectively.

I am planning to drive up with one other person on our early on Friday so
we can take our time and maybe stop off in Sedona and/or Flagstaff on our
way there. So I was hoping that we can get a few more people to go at least
one of whom would be able to drive.

There are several spots open, so please let me know if you are interested.

Mead
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3.) Hanna, who is leading a trip to the Pinacate National Park in Mexico, announced that that trip would be postponed; however, she is still interested in doing a trip down there in the near future. For those people still expressing interest, and who are able to provide reliable transportation, contact Hanna: hanna@u.arizona.edu

4.) Paul Strominger is planning a hiking/backpacking trip for western Texas and New Mexico, during the Christmas/New Years break. Information is as follows:

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Hi guys,
I am planning to cruise on out to west Texas and possibly New Mexico to do
some hiking and/or backpacking the week of Dec 23-31. Probably definitely
will hit Big Bend and the Guadalupes. I am not that familiar with the area,
but I hear there is no water in Big Bend except springs that are near the
road; I think it is a similar situation in the Guadalupes. Therefore any
backpack would be a three day max. I would be happy to meet anybody who
would rather hike than open Christmas presents.

Paul Strominger
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5.) Michael Chamberland is planning a trip to the Joshua Tree National Park, during the Martin Luther King weekend, from January 12 - 15, 2001, with detailed information, as follows:

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Hello Ramblers,

I'm planning a trip to Joshua Tree National Park over the Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Holiday.  Plan is to leave the evening of Friday Jan 12, drive
through Phoenix and west to Quartzsite, then north to the Parker area,
where I know some spots to camp on BLM land.  Saturday Jan 13, head west on
Hwy 62 into California.  This is a scenic drive through the Mojave Desert,
on one of those forgotten highways.  We'll enter Joshua Tree through the
north entrance and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Split Rock
/ Jumbo Rocks area, which features piles of boulders and the bizarre Joshua
Trees.  For camping, we may have an opportunity to camp with someone, who
lives outside the Park, otherwise, there are a number of pay campgrounds
within the Park (it is difficult to find camping on car-accessible public
land outside the park).  Sunday Jan 14 we can visit some of the main
attractions in the northern park of the Park, such as Hidden Valley, Ryan
Mt., Lost Horse Mine, and Keys View (in no particular order, and depending
on how much time we've got).  Monday Jan 15 is the holiday.  We head toward
Tucson, down Pinto Basin Rd. through to the southern section of the Park.
Hopefully we'll have time to hike the Lost Palms Oasis trail, then drive
back to Tucson on Highway 10 in the afternoon.

This is a fairly long drive, roughly equal to driving to the Grand Canyon,
but without the mountains.  It is all paved, with maybe a few short gravel
sections, suitable for passenger cars.  Expect temperatures to be similar
to Tucson, perhaps a little colder.  Hikes on this trip will be short and
fairly easy, all day hikes.  Mostly a sight-seeing trip, we'll try to get
to the main attractions of the Park.  The big features at Joshua Tree are
the bizarre arborescent Yuccas, which are the Joshua Trees; the heaps of
giant smooth boulders, some nice vista points overlooking the Mojave
Desert, and a couple palm oases.

Please email me if you are thinking of going, and if you can provide
transportation.  It may be a little early now, but this trip will come up
on us fast after the New Year.

Michael
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6.) Stephen Newcomb is planning a trip to Paria Canyon in May. Information is as follows:

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Ramblers,

I'd like to lead a Paria Canyon backpack trip just after the semester ends
in May. Plan to do what Michael wanted to do, hike from Wire Pass to
Whitehouse, and spend 3 nights in the canyon. The Paria reservation
calendar is starting to
fill up, and the actual dates (leaving in the evening of the first day)
are, as follows:

Thursday, May 17 - Mon, May 21  (20 spots)

If you want to go on this trip and think you can fit it into your schedule,
please email me ASAP. Paria Canyon is a relatively small canyon north of
the Grand Canyon and Paria River empties into the Colorado at Lee's Ferry.
Buckskin Gulch is a premier slot canyon in the US that empties into Paria
Canyon. There are no technical climbs or repels, but the 3 night/ 4 day
trip covers 21 miles between Wire Pass and Whitehouse, all basically
walking along the canyon floor. There are areas where pools of water
collect, but May should be a dry time of year up there. One spot requires
climbing up (or down depending on the direction of travel) through a small
opening in a wall of boulders. There is very little elevation gain or loss
during the hike. You can read more about it here: http://paria.az.blm.gov

Steve
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7.) Robbie is planning the following hikes for the spring semester:

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Hi Ramblers.

I have three hikes planned for Spring semester. Mark your calendar if they
seem good:

Feb 3 (Sat.): Hike to Ragged Top Mountain in Iron Wood National Monument.
March 3 (Sat.): Hike Rattlesnake Canyon, Galiuro Wilderness.
April 14 (Sat.): Hike Sycamore Canyon, Pajarito Wilderness.
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ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING RAMBLERS T-SHIRTS

The T-shirts are available. The shirts look great! They are made with Hanes preshrunk cotton. They are natural (a light tan) with dark brown print. The design on the back is an accurate drawing of a hiker's boots with cholla cactus segments stuck to it. On the front upper left, it has printed: RAMBLERS HIKING CLUB, with a list of seven important uses for the shirt in case of an emergency. There are 3 sizes available: 6 mediums, 12 Large, and 6 Extra Large. They are only $7 a shirt. Place your order to reserve you shirt by making payment to our Treasurer Eric: shiers@ag.arizona.edu Phone: 791-0232.

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING PARTY

There is a party at Hanna's house on January 10, 2001, after the Ramblers Hiking Club meeting. Contact Hanna: hanna@u.arizona.edu

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING THE SONORAN DESERT NATIONAL MONUMENT

I am passing along to you this information from Richard Felger, of the Drylands Institute.

We have a great and brief opportunity to have 500,000 acres of magnificent Sonoran Desert protected with National Monument status. Last Thursday, Nov 30, some of us met with Sec. of Interior Bruce Babbitt at the Sand Tank Mountains southeast of Gila Bend, AZ. It was a glorious day and Sec. Babbitt is keen on making this National Monument happen in the next days and weeks. He needs our encouragement.

This will be the Sonoran Desert National Monument embracing one half million acres. It is already public land - no loss to private enterprise. The Monument will be of lasting economic and cultural value. A critical part of this half million acre chunk of desert has been controlled by the military and they are releasing their interest next November, and the potential outcome of that action is not good. There has been little or no grazing or mischief for almost three quarters of a century. Immediate action is needed. The new National Monument provides essential upland desert link to 3 million acres of protected lands in SW Arizona [the eventual Sonoran Desert National Park] which links to 3.5 million acres of protected lands in adjacent Mexico. There is nothing like this in the world--more than 95% of the proposed monument remains in a primordial condition. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Richard Felger

If you have not already done so, PLEASE send brief (or any length) messages in support of the Sonoran Desert National Monument - snail mail, email, fax or phone to the appropriate person(s) and/or agencies - or any personal contact. If you do not live in Arizona at least send a message to the White House. The web site below will provides more information and an easy way to respond. [The elk is part of a template that could not be changed - but click on the out-of-place elk for more info.] I suggest sending messages to at least the following:

President Bill Clinton, The White House Washington, DC 20500 FAX: (202)-456-2461 EMAIL: president@whitehouse.gov OR CALL THE WHITE HOUSE, TOLL FREE: (888)-750-4897 (business hours only) [local: (202)-456-1414]

Also, please send copies of your message to:

Honorable Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt 1849 C Street, Washington, D.C. 20240 www.doi.gov Phone: (202)-208-7351 E-mail: bruce_babbitt@ios.doi.gov FAX: (202)-208-6956

Arizona Gov. Jane: Hull--azgov@az.gov

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)--Fax: (202)-228-2862; john_mccain@mccain.senate.gov
Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ)--Fax: (202)-224-2207; info@kyl.senate.gov
Rep. Ed Pastor (R-2nd/AZ)--Fax: (202)-225-1655; ed.pastor@mail.house.gov

For more information: www.wilderness.org/ccc/fourcorners/sonoran_monument.htm +*+ THANKS FOR HELPING TO PROTECT THE SONORAN DESERT! +*+

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING WOLFSONG RANCH

If you want to help out or can spread the word...

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Wolfsong ranch (near Wilcox), which has made the news in the more recent
past, called us today looking for volunteers. They take in wolf-hybrids
(mostly rescues) that have been abandoned or are no longer desired for pets
for some reason or another. I believe they have over 100 animals if my
memory serves me correctly. At any rate, they are having to move to a new
location (near rodeo, new Mexico), due to complaints from their neighbors.
It was a huge project for them to find and purchase their new ranch, and
they have until the end of the year to get their new facility in order and
get all of the animals moved. They desperately need help from work crews to
get the new compounds built. Their message said this is going to be the one
last project that hinges on whether they can move the animals in time, and
they could use some more volunteers. They are fearing what will happen if
everything is not done and they can not move all the animals. Anyway, if
you want to help out, be greatly appreciated, and do some manual labor, you
can contact them at (520)-762-5447.

More info at: http://www.biopark.org/wolf/wolfsong.htm
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If anyone wants to post additional announcements for any hikes, etc., please feel free to use the listserve. Meanwhile, keep Rambling!

Wolfgang