Heritage Highlands Hike Schedule -  February 2008 Friday February 1       Garwood Dam  (Rincon Mtns)              Level: B-, 8 miles, 500ft Hike Leader: Frank Price 579-8013    Depart: 8:00am    Est. time of return: 4:00pm (Rescheduled from January) This hike will explore the Cactus Forest area at the base of the western Rincon Mountains .  We will thread our way through the Cactus Forest to the most interesting destination in the Rincon foothills: Wild Horse Canyon .  The trail climbs over Pink Hill and offers great vistas of the Tucson basin and Catalina Mountains .  At Wild Horse Canyon , we will explore the rim and basin then check out the remains of Garwood Dam built in the 1920’s.  Bring water and a good lunch.  $4 per person carpool fee. Saturday February 2  Tortolita Preserve, Saguaro Garden   Level: C, 5 miles, 300ft Hike Leader: Dewey Fitch 579-5337   Depart: 9:00am Est. time of return: 12:30pm This hike will take us along the northern east-west portion of the Tortolita Preserve Loop Trail.  We will  hike from trailhead #2 located at the north end of Tortolita Road and across from phase five of Heritage Highlands where our new gate is located.  Our turn around point will be west from the trailhead in a pretty area being described as the Saguaro Garden .   We’ll rest here while exploring the area.  We’ll take your photo under a Saguaro cactus.  This is an easy level hike through the land leased by the town of Marana from the state to preserve habitat for the Pigmy owl.  Maybe we can get a photo of one. Views of the Gallery South course are also frequent.   Bring a little water and some trail mix.  We will still meet in the clubhouse parking lot. No carpool fee. Monday February 4  Bridal Veil Falls (Catalina Mtns)  Level: A, 12.4 miles, 2,550ft Hike Leader: David Rogers 579-2585   Depart: 8:00am Est. time of return: 5:00pm We’ll depart the Sabino Canyon parking lot and hike up the Esperero Trail for 3.6 miles and 1,650ft to a saddle nicknamed ‘cardiac gap’.  After a short break and taking in the vistas of a large basin, we’ll circle the rim of the basin before gaining another 900ft over the additional 2.6 miles to the falls.  Pack energy bars, a nice lunch, and plenty of water for this great hike.  Golden Age Passport or fee for parking at Sabino Canyon plus a $3 per person carpool fee. Wednesday February 6    Seven Falls via Tram, Bear Canyon      Level: C+, 5.4 miles, 600ft Hike Leader: Darrell Steed 784-3690   Depart: 8:00am   Est. time of return: 2:30pm We will be taking the tram to Bear canyon to enable us to make this a C+ level hike.  This is an ideal trail for those wanting to advance to C+ level with only 600 feet gain over 2.7 miles. You will be rewarded by being at one of the most scenic spots in the Catalinas.  We’ll cross the creek seven times- not difficult but a walking stick can be helpful.  Be sure to bring a camera, a minimum of 1.5 liters of water, and a lunch.  We’ll return to Sabino visitor center by tram.  A Golden Age Passport or fee required at Sabino Canyon . Tram fee is $3 plus a $3 per person carpool fee. Thursday February 7   Trans- Tortolita Hike        Level: B, 8 miles, 1500ft Hike Leader: Tom Feldsien 744-0887   Depart: 8:00am   Est. time of return: 3:00pm We will hike all the way across the Tortolitas in this "key swap" hike with the Dove Mtn Hiking Club.  We'll begin at the Wild Burro Trailhead just past the Gallery Clubhouse for those going eastbound.  Those going westbound will drive to the east side of the Tortolitas and begin the hike near the marble mine, heading towards Alamo Springs.  Bring plenty of water, energy snacks, and lunch.  No carpool fee. Thursday February 7      Upper&Lower Javelina Loop Trails (Tortolita Mts.)     Level: B-, 7.4 miles, 1200ft           Hike Leader: Dennis Davidson 744-9506  Depart: 12:30pm  Est. time of return: 4:00pm Good turnout last time, so here’s another AFTERNOON hike. We begin at the Wild Burro Trailhead just past the Gallery Clubhouse and go 1.4 miles up the wash where the Lower Javelina trail begins. We hike this moderate 2-mile loop part way up both sides of Wild Burro Canyon . Then we return by hiking all of the Upper Javelina Trail to Dove Mtn Blvd, and walk along the road during this low-traffic time of the day back to the begin point.   You will get great views of the new hotel site, Marana, golf courses, and the desert.  Bring 1.5 liters of water and snacks.  No carpool fee. Friday February 8   Contzen Pass Loop Trail ( Tucson Mtns)     NEW HIKE          Level: C, 5.9 miles, 320ft Hike Leader: Dan Hill 579-3537       Depart: 8:00am    Est. time of return: 1:00pm This is a new hike for the club.  We will be hiking northern parts of the Saguaro National Park Wilderness area.  The trail is gradual and covers parts of the Cam-Boh, Ironwood Forest , Picture Rocks, Coyote Pass , Gila Monster, Cactus Canyon , and Ringtail Trails (whew!).  We will take a food break where we have views of Safford Peak to the north, and Wasson Peak to the south.  Bring at least 1.0 liter of water and snacks.  You should be back home in time for a late lunch.  Golden Age Passport or fee required, plus a $3 per person carpool fee. Monday February 11  Thimble Peak ( Sabino Canyon )  Level: A, 15 miles, 2,450ft Hike Leader: David Rogers, 579-2585  Depart: 7:00am  Est. time of return: 5:00pm We can see Thimble Peak from Sunrise Blvd, and can almost touch it from Blackett’s Ridge.  This is a long hike, but the pace can be fast, since the trail is good and the elevation gain is gradual. We’ll follow the Bear Canyon Trail past Seven Falls, around the canyon up to Thimble Flats.  Next we’ll head up a not so well marked trail that may seem a bit like bushwhacking (but thru a meadow- no shin daggers) to the top of Thimble Peak.  Bring plenty of water, energy bars, and lunch.  Golden Age Passport or fee at Sabino plus a $3 per person carpool fee. Tuesday February 12   Sweetwater Trail/ ORIENTATION HIKE    Level: D, 3 miles. 300ft Hike Leader: George Hammond 579-3296  Depart: 8:00am  Est. time of return: 12:30pm We’ll take a short drive to the east side of the Tucson Mts. where we’ll hike a short distance up the Sweetwater Trail for this orientation hike.  The trail is in Saguaro National Park and is well maintained but has some areas of loose rock.  This trail is considered the prettiest trail in the Tucson Mtns with an abundance of saguaro cacti. At the 300-foot turnaround point we’ll have a compelling view of the Tucson/Marana basin.  As always, all members are welcome to join in on this hike to check out this interesting trail.  Trailhead parking is in the county so no passes or fee required.  There’s a $3 per person carpool fee. Wednesday February 13      Wasson Peak via Sweetwater  ( Tucson Mtns)    Level: B+, 8.8 miles, 1,767 ft Hike Leader: Dewey Fitch 579-5337   Depart: 8:00am   Est. time of return: 3:30pm This trek will be at a slower pace as we hike through dense saguaro cactus groves along the 3.2 mile Sweetwater Trail gaining 1,200ft to the junction of King Canyon Trail.  After resting at the saddle, we’ll continue up the King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak , another 1.2 miles and 500ft more.  We’ll enjoy the panoramic view of Tucson with Dove Mt. development clearly visible from the top.  Bring a snack, lunch and at least 1.5 lts. of water.  The parking area is in the county so no passes are required.  $2 per person carpool fee. Thursday February 14  Upper Javelina/Wild Mustang Trails (Tortolita Mtns)  Level: B, 9 miles, 1,500ft Hike Leader: Barb Farr 572-7174   Depart: 8:00am    Est. time of return: 2:00pm The hike begins at the Wild Burro Trailhead just past the Gallery Clubhouse and goes 1.4 miles up the wash. We pick up the Upper Javelina Trail, and then continue on the Wild Mustang trail to the top of a ridge with a very nice rock field.  We will have lunch and then return, taking the South end of the Upper Javelina Trail.  There are great views of Dove Mtn, northwest Pima County , and the new golf course being constructed. Bring at least 2 liters of water, snacks, and a lunch.  No carpool fee. Thursday February 14  & Saturday February 16 Wild Burro Canyon Guided Hike sponsored by Marana Dept of Parks & Rec.  Meet at 8:00am at Wild Burro Trail Head just past the Gallery Clubhouse.  See www.marana.com for details- click departments, Parks and Rec., Community Events. Saturday February 16 Tortolita Point 4697 (Highest) 4-Wheel     Level: C-, 2-3 miles, 700ft                                                                                                          Hike Leader: Tom Feldsien 744-0887    Depart: 8:00am Est. time of return: 2:00pm This is a 4-Wheel Drive adventure to the highest point in the Tortilita Mtns.   We will four wheel from Oracle Rd.  in Catalina traveling Northwest to the east side of the Tortolitas and into the interior of the Mountains.  We will then bushwhack up to the high point and back to the vehicles.  We will then drive to the west edge of the Mountains and  return via Dove Mtn. Blvd.   Bring water, snacks, and lunch..   Long pants and gloves suggested.  $4 per person carpool fee. Monday February 18   Wasson Peak Loop Trail Peak ( Tucson Mtns)     Level: B, 8.5 miles, 1,800ft Hike Leader: Dan Hill 579-3537     Depart: 8:00am   Est. time of return: 3:30pm This hike is a complete loop and utilizes many portions of the Saguaro NP trails to ascend to Wasson Peak .  The trail is gradual over the entire length of the hike.  We will use parts of King Canyon , Sweetwater, Hugh Norris and Sendero-Esperanza trails before ending in the King Canyon Wash where we will see some pictographs near the end of the trail.  Atop Wasson Peak , where we will have a lunch break, there are splendid 360 degree views of all of the Tucson area.  Bring at least 1.5 liters of water, snacks, and a nice lunch. There are no park fees.  $3 per person carpool fee. Wednesday February 20    King Canyon to Saddle   Level: C+, 4.6 miles, 998ft Hike Leader: George Hammond 579-3296  Depart: 8:00am Est. time of return: 2:00pm This hike is intended for those folks working their way up the hike level scale.  At a slower pace, this 2.3 mile one way trek up King Canyon with a steady moderate elevation gain is ideal for training.  Our turn around point will be at the saddle that junctions with Sweetwater Trail.  We’ll have a great view of Marana as well as Wasson Peak , 790ft above.  The return leg will be via an old mining road back to the trailhead.  Bring at least two liters of water, trail snacks, and a lunch.  There’s a $3 per person carpool fee. Thursday February 21  Pima Canyon to 1st Dam   ( Santa Catalina Mtns)   Level: C+, 6.4 miles, 800ft Hike Leader: Darrell Steed 784-3690  Depart: 8:00am    Est. time of return: 2:30pm The pace for this hike will be C-level (relaxed) with rest stops.  You’ll have a view of the entire Tucson area before entering the Canyon where you lose view of everything but nature.  Lunch will be at a spot where Hohokam Indians rested and ground their grain in rock mortars.  Bring two liters of water, snacks and lunch for this pleasant hike.  $2 per person carpool fee. Saturday February 23   Bear / Sabino Canyon Loop     Level: A+, 18 miles, 2,400ft Hike Leader: Tom Morrow 744-5688  Depart: 7:00am    Est. time of return: 6:00pm This long hike leaves the parking lot at Sabino Canyon and takes the Bear Canyon Trail past Seven Falls, up to Thimble Flats, and over to Sycamore Saddle.  From here we’ll pick up the East Fork of Sabino and drop into Sabino Basin with its fantastic views.  Continuing on Sabino Trail to the Phoneline Trail which we take back to Lower Sabino , and then to the parking lot.  This is an all day hike so bring plenty of water, power bars, and lunch.  Golden Age Passport or fee required at Sabino plus a $3 per person carpool fee. Monday February 25  Phoneline Trail ( Sabino Canyon )  Level B+, 9.3 miles, 1,100ft Hike Leader: Dan Hill 579-3537    Depart: 8:00am   Est. time of return: 3:00pm This is one of the most special hikes in the Catalinas with superb, up-close views of towering Sabino Canyon .  We will do the Phoneline Trail in a counter-clockwise direction starting at the Visitor Center and head northeast to the junction with Blacketts Ridge Trail and then head along the Phoneline Trail until the end where it drops down to Tram Stop #9.  We will view the damage from the 2006 floods to the area between Tram Stops #9 and #4 and then continue hiking back the tram road and parallel trails to the Visitor Center .  This is a long hike but for strong B-level hikers it will not be a problem.  Golden Age Passport or fee required, plus a $3 per person carpool fee. Tuesday February 26   Douglas Spring to Bridal Wreath Falls   (Rincon Mts)  Level: C+, 5.2 miles, 950ft Hike Leader: George Hammond 579-3296 Depart: 8:00am  Est. time of return: 3:00pm We’ll drive to the East side of Tucson to the Rincon Mts. where we’ll take the Douglas Spring Trail 2.6 miles to our turnaround point at Bridle Wreath Falls .  We’ll go slowly while covering the 950ft elevation gain.  This is a good trail for newer hikers to get a feel of a C+ hike.  The + designation is for some short steep sections.  We’ll have lunch at the falls before returning.  Bring at least 1.5 liters of water, lunch and a camera.  A $3 per person car pool fee is suggested.  Wednesday February 27  Ventana Canyon to Maiden Pools ( Santa Catalina Mtns)     Level: B-, 4.6 miles, 1,290ft Hike Leader: Dewey Fitch 579-5337    Depart: 8:00am   Est. time of return: 2:00pm We’ll park at the trailhead located at Lowe’s Ventana Resort, then hike along the canyon floor before heading up a short steep rocky climb to an area known as Maiden Pools.  Long pants are recommended due to bushy vegetation from the summer rains. You’ll enjoy the vistas of Tucson as we make the ascent.  We’ll have our lunch break at the Pools and have time to explore the surroundings before heading back.  Bring at least a liter of water and lunch.  A $3 per person carpool fee suggested. Thursday February 28    Upper Javelina Trail (Tortolita Mts.)   Level: C, 4.9 miles, 550ft           Hike Leader: Kathy Stillman 744-8104  Depart: 8:30am   Est. time of return: 1:30pm This will be a relaxed paced hike allowing everyone to take breathers and enjoy the views. The hike begins at the Wild Burro Trailhead just past the Gallery Clubhouse, and goes 1.4 miles up the wash.  Then we’ll hike the entire Upper Javelina trail which is just above the new hotel, and the new golf course. Bring 2 liters of water, energy snacks, and a lite lunch. No carpool fee. Thursday February 28    Wild Burro Inner Loop to the Alamo Spring Well (Tortolita Mts.)   Level: B, 8 miles, 1000ft Hike Leader: Dennis Davidson 744-9506 Depart: 8:00am  Est. time of return: 1:30pm This hike covers the entire Wild Burro Trail.  We go up the wash, continue to the remains of the old line shack, then go over the hill, and on to the well at Alamo Springs.   After a break, we will take the Alamo Spring, Alamo Spring Spur, Lower Javelina, and Wild Burro Trails back to the trailhead. Hikers will see the inner canyons, and maybe petroglyphs. Bring 1.5 liters of water and snacks.  There is no carpool fee. Friday February 29   Bog Spring / Kent Spring Loop Trail ( Madera Canyon )      Level: B, 5.4 miles, 1,980ft Hike Leader: Frank Price 579-8013   Depart: 8:00am  Est. time of return: 4:00pm We’ll travel to Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mts. for this moderately paced B+ level hike.  In the past, we have hiked to Bog Spring; now we’ll continue to Kent Spring gaining 1,980 feet over the first 3.8 miles of this 5.4-mile loop.  After leaving Kent Spring , the fun begins as we come down a steep old mine road.  Hold on!  This is an excellent trail that’s entirely in forested areas with some great views from several ridge tops.  Bring 1.5 – 2 liters of water, power bars, and lunch.   Golden Age Passport or fee required for Madera Canyon .  A $5 per person carpool fee suggested. Phone assigned Hike Leader to sign up or for questions.  Eat breakfast.  Bring water and energy bars Departure is from the Clubhouse parking lot at time listed. Please be there 10 minutes early to check-in.