HikeArizona.COM

Fossil Creek & Flume Trail Closure above Irving Power Plant
For Immediate Release
Date: June 20, 2005
Contact: Judy Adams (928 ) 203-7512

Sedona, AZ – For public safety reasons, the Coconino National Forest has recently closed the Flume Trail and a portion of Fossil Creek access to the Wilderness boundary below Fossil Springs. This closure is expected to remain in place over the next several years while APS is removing the flume structure and the Irving Power Plant facilities. The Flume Trailhead area above the Irving Power Plant along Forest Road 708 is also closed. Access to Fossil Creek below the Irving Power Plant will remain open as well as the Fossil Spring Trail and trailhead on the Tonto National Forest above the spring.

Given the complexity of deconstruction activities, periodic short-term road and area closures are also expected over the next several years. For current conditions and possible road closures, please contact the Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 282-4119 or visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/index.shtml

Big events coming up

Folks in Pine and Strawberry are busy preparing for several big events next weekend. The Strawberry Patchers will be holding their 14th Annual Quilt Show beginning Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

If you haven’t ever attended the event, you are really missing out on some amazing works of art. The entire Cultural Hall is filled with beautiful quilts and quilted items — and each visitor is allowed to vote on their favorite in several categories (voting takes place Saturday and Sunday, the resulting awards are visible on Sunday). Trust me, you’ll fall in love with so many it is necessary to go around two or three times before voting and the best part of all is that admission is only $2. Besides the wonderful show, the Patchers will have many quilts and wearables from their Berry Patch Boutique, plus a vendor mall and quilt appraisals for those who are interested.

As if the quilt show weren’t enough to bring you to Pine, the Strawberry Festival takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, June 12, and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Sunday, June 13 at the Community Center in the heart of town. This is your chance to shop the numerous quality craft vendors, listen to great music, and take a night off cooking as you enjoy the many food booths. Of course, as the name of the festival implies, there will be absolutely amazing strawberry delicacies and desserts including my favorite — sweet, giant, strawberries dipped in rich chocolate!

Several merchants from Pine will be holding their regular Second Saturday Shop Hop event on June 12, so be sure to make time to stop in and visit the unique array of specialty shops sprinkled throughout town. Whether you enjoy quality antiques, homemade soaps, candles and cards, local honey, or mountain décor, you’ll find something you just can’t live without in Pine!

For all you music lovers, the Second Strawberry Valley Blues Festival will be held June 11 through June 13 as well. The event takes place at the end of the paved section of Fossil Creek Road and you can pay for one day — $15 for adults, $10 for youth; or save money and attend all three days for a discounted price of $25 for adults and $15 for youth. Children 12 and under attend for free, so grab the kids and come enjoy this popular event sponsored by the Pine-Strawberry Archaeological and Historical Society.

While on your way to one of the many events happening on the weekend of June 11 through 13, don’t forget to stop and support the Riff Raff Club as they hold their annual yard sale in the parking lot of the Ponderosa Market. This is one of the major fund-raisers the Riff Raffers hold to raise money for the holiday outreaches they sponsor each year, so be sure to stop and check out all the cool things they’ll be selling.