February 28, 2020 Bear Canyon to Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon

The Long hike, lead by John R, started on the Bear Canyon Trail. The water levels had gone down substantially therefore we did not need to take off our shoes at the bridge. We still needed poles to cross some of the 7 creek crossings.

The Medium hike was lead by Jerry. They started at the #3 station of the tram. Some hikers picked up the tram on the way back and some hiked to the Park Visitor Center.

Medium Hiking Group at the Tram stop

Long Hiking Group after going over a stream. A park ranger joined us on the hike.

Seven Falls

Data for the Long hike

Email prior to the Hike

The Creek is high due to last week’s rain. The long hikers will get their feet wet at the first bridge unless they take their shoes off or cover your shoes. You may want to bring a little towel. 

Medium and Long Hikers may want to bring poles for balance on rocks when crossing the 7 creek crossings on the way to Seven Falls. 

The Falls are especially beautiful because there is so much water. 

Important - Book the Tram (Crawler) tickets ahead of time to ensure a ride if you are hiking in the Medium group.
Sabino Canyon Crawler - to book tram to Bear Canyon Hike

The beautiful Seven Falls is the final destination of this hike on the Bear Canyon trail. This trail follows a canyon with creek crossings and nice views.
The Medium hike starts on the Tram to travel for about one mile to shorten the hike. Book Tram online for 10:15 timeslot for $6.00. This hike is about 6.6 miles.
The Long hikers will hike all the way and not take the tram (crawler). 8.8 miles.

All Trails map of Bear Canyon at Sabino Canyon National Park

Sabino Canyon Website - Bear Canyon

Directions to the trailhead: From the Palm Creek Park's Main gate and turn left on Henness Road to Florence Blvd. Drive to 1-10 and turn south toward Tucson. Drive 53 miles to Exit 248 toward Ina Road. Turn left onto Ina Road and drive east (7.1 miles) until the highway meets Skyline Drive and starts heading southeast. After 1.9 miles this road turns into Sunrise Drive. In 6.3 miles turn left at the light onto Sabino Canyon Road. Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance on the right. It is 70.2 miles from Palm Creek to the Visitor Center. You can use your America the Beautiful Pass for your car (otherwise the fee is $5.00 per car). 

Google Maps to Sabino Canyon

Casa Grande Mountain Hike

Casa Grande Mountain Hike leaves the Palm Creek Parking Lot at 8:00 and arrives back to the Park before lunch.  
Proposed next hikes- Schedule may change
March 6 - American Flag Trail near Oracle
March 13 -14 - Weekend Chiricahua hikes. 
March 20 - Wrap up Picnic at the Sports Complex by the Ball Diamond (if we can book it)

Nancy’s cell: 403-896-9899   

Note: These hikes are designed to be an outing, not a race. Hikers are encouraged to hike together, socialize, and enjoy the fresh air and exercise, stopping as necessary to rest. To assure all hikers are accounted for, drivers will make sure that all the same hikers they take return with them. 

March 13, 14 and 15th, 2020 Chiricahua National Monument

Hiking March 13, 14 and 15, 2020
Overnight Stay in Wilcox, AZ - March 13th and March 14th

Friday – Either Cochise Stronghold, 

Fort Bowie or another hike

Saturday -Hiking in the Chiricahua National Monument 

Sunday – Suggested hike:  The Arch Bridge in the 

National Monument

For convenience for the Hiking Club Activities, it is preferred that we stay in the same hotel. Two years ago we stayed at the Quality Inn, which is now called the Sure Stay Plus Hotel by Best Western. Address - 1100 Rex Allen Drive, Wilcox, AZ. With a Best Western Membership, the rate is about 63.00 (with cancellation flexibility it is 68.00). Without a membership, it is 76.95, and you can cancel.) If I know the numbers of people who plan to go, I may be able to get a group rate, at $63.00 each for 10 rooms. 
Tomorrow at the Picketpost Hike we will have a sign-up sheet to see if we have enough people to reserve 10 rooms. 
You will need to book your own rooms. If we have enough for a discount you can ask to be on the Palm Creek Hiking Group. The hotel phone number is 520-766-3700.   If you want to share a room, please make these arrangements yourself. Please book as soon as possible as availability is tight. 
You will also need to make your own transportation arrangements. 
There will be a sign-up sheet for drivers and passengers tomorrow - please add your information with phone numbers in order to obtain a ride. 

February 21, 2020 Picketpost Loop and Arizona Trail to Picketpost Loop - Out and Back.

Picketpost Mountain

Long Group Picketpost Loop - Counterclockwise 9.1 miles. John R. lead this group of 18 hikers. 

The light aqua colour at the bottom shows the Arizona Trail where the medium hikers went in relation to the Picketpost Loop. 

Medium Hike - Arizona trail to the Picketpost Loop - Out and Back. 7.1 miles

Picketpost Loop Trail - All Trails link

Picketpost - Arizona Trail - out and back

Remember to bring lunch and lots of water, the weather is hot.
We need Drivers for both hikes.

Driving Distance, Time and Directions to Picket Post Trailhead 
Go right at the park exit and north on Henness Road 0.7 miles to Cottonwood.
Turn right and go east 2.8 miles to N Overfield Road. Turn left and go north 3.9 miles to
Woodruff Road. Go right and east 1.9 miles to Signal Peak road, turn left and go north 2.9 miles to Hunt Highway. Turn right and go east 6 miles to SR79 at the dead end. Turn left and go north on highway SR79 for 12.7 miles to Highway 60. Go right on Highway 60 for 9 miles and turn right at the Picketpost Trailhead sign onto a dirt road. Drive 0.4 miles to a dead-end and Picketpost Trailhead sign. Turn left and proceed for 0.6 miles. The road turns right into the parking area. It is 55 miles and takes 1:05 minutes to drive. There are pit toilets.

Google Maps to Picketpost Trailhead

Casa Grande Mountain Hike

Casa Grande Mountain Hike leaves the Palm Creek Parking Lot at 8:00 and arrives back to the Park before lunch. Bring lots of water as it may be a hot day.

Proposed next hikes- Schedule may change.

Feb 28 - Bear Canyon to Seven Falls - Sabino Canyon - We will check out the ticket situation for the smaller, shorter tram for the medium hikers. 
March 6 - American Flag Trail near Oracle
March 13 -14 - Weekend Chiricahua hikes.
Nancy’s cell: 403-896-9899 
Note: These hikes are designed to be an outing, not a race. Hikers are encouraged to hike together, socialize, and enjoy the fresh air and exercise, stopping as necessary to rest. To assure all hikers are accounted for, drivers will make sure that all the same hikers they take return with them.