You are not the first to find it.



http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteo ... 00004.html

If the cicada's start singing the monsoons should make their apearance. This morning, sitting out in the backyard (desertified) drinking coffee and reading the paper, the cicada's started up about 10 a.m. Loud and sustained. We are still almost two weeks away from predicted first rain, though. Here...

After studying the Atlas/Gazetteer for a few hours I knew what was going to happen...Road Trip! I did some research and made some phone calls to the Ranger Station in the White Mountains. I got a late start Thursday the 13th and headed east. The first night was at a place not on my map. I found it a...

Nealz mentioned coatis in the Huachucas. I can certainly confirm that they are there. One time in Bear Canyon, just before sunset, I was walking the trail out to the ridge when some rustling from the hill side caught my attention. I stopped and watched for a solid ten minutes while a very large troo...

You're right about that! I wonder if they're ever going to open a store here in the Phoenix area... Summit Hut will probably open a place in the Phoenix area when REI opens one here in Tucson. I have to stay out of places like the Smut Hut and REI. I literally lose the ability to see the value of m...

Not to usurp Glen's future reply, but I went to the Get Out More presentation last year at the Summit Hut on Speedway. Basically, there were two folks contracted by Rodale (Backpacker's owner) to talk about gear, packing ideas and reasons/methods to get out and hike. They gave away a lot of nic-nacs...

Some people just take their schist for granite.

Ugh.

Sometimes happenstance rules your life. Over Memorial Day weekend I headed north from Tucson. I sought to camp someplace along the way but, of course, the Forests were closed with barriers on the Forest Roads. Near Stoneman Lake I stopped a couple of Rangers and asked for an exception to the rules b...

For 20 years my favorite destination was Bear Spring in Bear Canyon of the Hauchucas. But with the Border situation backpacking in the Range is no longer an option. Another favorite is west side of the Dragoons, southwest of Wilcox. This is more of a place for day hikes and camping. Lots of history ...

I rememer when I bought Explore Arizona! in 1995 how neat it was. This guy knew about a lot of places. I planned a couple of road trips to check out these areas. Both trips were unsuccessful. It seems that either the roads were not marked, impossible to find or passed through private land, State Tru...

I have read about using a shower curtain liner before. When deciding on a ground cloth for the tent I went with getting one of those cheap nylon ponchos. It is light weight and multipurpose.

I guess we are talking about the same fire. On the news last night they mentioned that the Bullock fire was threatening Mt. Lemmon.

Like ck1 said, it is going to be a long summer.

Maybe I'll go to Silver City, NM for the Blues Festival. It is a little cooler there. Maybe.

A fire started on Mt. Lemmon (22nd) and I imagine Coronado National Forest Folks will announce closures soon. AZ State Trust Land may announce closures soon Hmmmm, I haven't heard of any fires currently on Mt. Lemmon or anywhere in the Santa Catalinas. There is a fairly large fire (The bullock fire...

Feel free to discuss anything you want. My rose colored glasses slipped down my nose for a few hours yesterday. My anger with the few, the pimpled, and the stupid who set forest fires blew a fuse in my ancient brain. I've gone from a 15 amp to a 20 amp and everthing should be OK. Man, I'm trying re...

Coronado National Forest appears to still be open (with fire restrictions well in place), so there may be some cooler options down there... :D Yes, the Coronado National Forest will be open with restrictions on open fires, even in established campsites that have grills on the ground. The guidlnes w...

hikinggramma, You are starting out doing the right thing with taking day-hikes on a regular basis. However, being in shape is one thing and being acclimated to the place where you want to do some more serious hiking is another. One important thing to do is to start a "water drinking" regim...

So Cakewalk, how many are now confirmed for the hike?

The flat area on top of the peak isn't that big, ya know.

Here is a link to a site with lots and lots of information on natural areas in Arizona.

Prepare to spend a few days exploring all of the links.

http://math.cochise.cc.az.us/People/fac ... azgeo.html

I went through Google Search and found the Nature Conservancy Website that listed Hartwell Canyon Preserve. I called the number there and talked with someone in the Flagstaff office. That person said that the Preserve (only 60 acres) is basically closed and that it's main function was to protect Nat...

On occasion, when my pack is light, I will bring along a camp chair. In particular, the ones in which the sleeping pad fits. I will also take along a night vision goggle just to play with. Dogs? Dogs are a luxury and should only be taken along where they are permitted and then only on a leash if the...