Cairn-building AZT Passage 25
Posted: Jan 01 2016 1:50 pm
AZT Work Event
CHANGE 1 April 15-17, 2016
Passage 25, White Rock Mesa
One of the most common comments (complaints) from AZT hikers is the difficulty navigating portions of Passage 25, north of the East Verde River. This portion of the AZT gets lite use so it is not well worn. The area is an ancient volcanic plain, littered with uniformly colored dark red rocks. The cairns that mark the way are the same color as the surroundings making them difficult to see. In wet years the vegetation all but hides them.
Join us for an overnight trip to improve the navigation aids along the passage. One option to make the cairns more visible is to enlarge them-significantly. We'll hike south from Twin Buttes trailhead to White Rock Spring, enlarging existing cairns and possibly adding a few new ones along the way. Cairns will have to be ~4 feet tall to stand out above the grass, so it will take some time. We'll overnight at the spring, and replace the ancient post and sign there that has succumbed to the elements. If we have sufficient help some crew members may continue the cairn work south of White Rock Spring while others handle the sign work.
Each member of the group should equip themselves to be self-sufficient and fully prepared to hike 7-9 miles each day, carrying light trail tools and completing the cairn building work along the way.
Participants are welcome to camp Friday night (April 8 ) at Twin Buttes TH to get a convenient start Saturday morning. Average temps at LF Ranch (south end of the passage) in April are a low of 42 and a high of 77. If weather is not cooperating, we'll go the following weekend.
Contact Shawn Redfield at traildirector@aztrail.org for more details and to sign up.
CHANGE 1 April 15-17, 2016
Passage 25, White Rock Mesa
One of the most common comments (complaints) from AZT hikers is the difficulty navigating portions of Passage 25, north of the East Verde River. This portion of the AZT gets lite use so it is not well worn. The area is an ancient volcanic plain, littered with uniformly colored dark red rocks. The cairns that mark the way are the same color as the surroundings making them difficult to see. In wet years the vegetation all but hides them.
Join us for an overnight trip to improve the navigation aids along the passage. One option to make the cairns more visible is to enlarge them-significantly. We'll hike south from Twin Buttes trailhead to White Rock Spring, enlarging existing cairns and possibly adding a few new ones along the way. Cairns will have to be ~4 feet tall to stand out above the grass, so it will take some time. We'll overnight at the spring, and replace the ancient post and sign there that has succumbed to the elements. If we have sufficient help some crew members may continue the cairn work south of White Rock Spring while others handle the sign work.
Each member of the group should equip themselves to be self-sufficient and fully prepared to hike 7-9 miles each day, carrying light trail tools and completing the cairn building work along the way.
Participants are welcome to camp Friday night (April 8 ) at Twin Buttes TH to get a convenient start Saturday morning. Average temps at LF Ranch (south end of the passage) in April are a low of 42 and a high of 77. If weather is not cooperating, we'll go the following weekend.
Contact Shawn Redfield at traildirector@aztrail.org for more details and to sign up.
