[hikeaz]

ICEHOUSE/SIXSHOOTER CANYONS - Pinal Mtns, Globe
Saturday, July 9th
Leader: Randy Baker mailto:moovyoaz@earthlink.net Length: 9 miles R/T
Phone: 602-616-9491 Rating: Difficult

MEET at the east end of Fry’s Electronics parking lot, Baseline Rd west of I-10, 6:30 am Sharp!
Elevation change: 3000’

For persons substantially east of the Fry’s Electronics, please contact Randy for alternate meeting place in Mesa.

Pinal Mountain is a "sky island"; as it rises abruptly from the desert floor. The elevation and north facing slopes combine to create a surprisingly lush alpine microenvironment with mixed conifers, aspens, oaks and Arizona Walnuts near the top of Signal Peak. Here, in the 1880s, General Nelson Miles established one of his primary heliographs ( http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/heliograph/heliograph.htm ) in the efforts against Geronimo.

We will ascend to it via the Six-shooter Canyon Trail #197, stopping to enjoy the beautiful Ferndell Spring area, and then descend using the Icehouse Canyon( #198) and Telephone ( #192) trails. Here is a link to a recent article about the area >> http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/dest_soaz/71547.php

We will have an optional campout on Saturday night at 7500’ in the cooool, un-crowded pines surrounding Pinal Peak.

Campfires here ARE allowed – and there are toilets! This past weekend the temps at the camping area were 78 high & 58 low.
Bring your mountain bike too, if you’d like.

We’ll have horseshoes, bocce’, cards and such too!

[te-wa]

that sounds pretty good Kurt. Is there filterable water at the spring(s)?
Im interested but Im not carrying the horseshoes, unless they're attached to the horse.
If I make this hike, maybe you can PM me the alternate east valley meet.

[hikeaz]

In response to mikeinFHAZ's reply:

The spring is running right from the pipe... I'd leave the filter.


(southerners see below for translation)

I'm heading up tomorrow (Friday), so please contact Randy for the far E.V. meet. (generally is has been the south end of the Home Depot parking lot @ US60 & Power about 30 min. after the Fry's meeting time), but, again, please contact Randy to be sure.
Hope that you can make it.

kurt

[Nighthiker]

A very neat area, wish I had more of a notice though. I live in Gold Canyon and the Upper Pinal campground is 70 miles from home and about the same distance to Mt. Ord. Have a great trip.