DAY TOUR SCHEDULES – WINTER 2010
HIKING EXCURSIONS The following hikes are led by John Dell, former Forest Ranger and veteran wilderness guide. Hikes range in length from 4 to 12 miles with varying levels of difficulty and elevation changes from 300 to 2,000 feet. Participants should wear appropriate field clothing including at least lightweight hiking boots (please, no tennis shoes). Bring lunch, water, and snacks. Some hikes stop for dinner on the return trip, not included in fee. Hikes are rated by level of difficulty as follows: M = Moderate, MD = Moderately Difficult, D = Difficult. The pace on these hikes will be slow and steady with occasional rest stops.
Organ Pipe Wilderness: Estes Canyon / Bull Pasture
(Rated: Md) Starting along the Ajo Mountain Drive in the eastern part of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm) this very scenic 4 mile loop trail climbs about 1100 ft. to a desert basin on the west escarpment of the rugged Ajo Mountains. Very good trail but steep in places. This is some of Arizona’s most scenic Sonoran Desert environment with an opportunity to see rare Senita and Organ Pipe cacti up close. The rugged skyline of the Ajo Mountains and the summit of Mt. Ajo (4,808 ft.), the highest of the Monument’s mountains, dominates the view to the east. These mountains were formed by volcanic eruptions nearly 22 million years ago. This is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and a memorable place to hike. Possible dinner stop on return (not included).
Tucson Clarion: TBA - fall dates (7 AM - 7:30 PM) Cost: $99
Apache Pass / Fort Bowie / Butterfield Stage Trail (Rated: MD)
Our 5.5 mile hike will start from near the summit of notorious Apache Pass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_Pass) and follow the ruts of the historic Butterfield Overland Stage Trail to the ruins of the stage station, then along another wagon trail to the old Fort Bowie site (http://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm). Along the way we’ll see the old post cemetery, a battlefield site, strategically important Apache Springs, and the visitor center overlooking the fort ruins. We’ll loop back via a high ridge for great views of the surrounding area. This is a hike through history where some of Arizona’s most important events of the Apache wars took place in the civil war period.
Tucson Clarion: Friday, March 5 (7 AM – 7:30 PM) Cost: $99
Waterman Mountains Exploratory Hike / Ironwood Forest National Monument (Rated: Md) The Waterman Mountains (Elev. 3737 ft.) are located near the southern boundary of the Ironwood Forest National Monument northwest of Tucson (http://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/ifnm_waterman.php) . This impressive mountain range was the scene of early mining, and our 7 mile loop hike will first ascend to an old silver mine and a high panoramic view of the surrounding desert. There is an elevation gain of about 1,100 ft. in the first 2 miles. We descend through some very scenic saguaro forest. Along the way we’ll pass by some rare (for this region) Elephant Trees (Torote) and, if we look very carefully, we’ll find (but not disturb) some very rare Nichol’s Turk’s Head Cactus, found only in this and one other mountain range in southern Arizona. This hike is well off the beaten path and offers some very scenic photo opportunities. The old road we follow is somewhat rocky and steep, but not too difficult.
Tucson Clarion: Thurs Apr 29 (6:30 AM – 5 PM) Cost: $99
White Canyon Wilderness / Mineral Mountains: Off The Beaten Track (Rated: Md) This magical deep
drainage ringed by soaring rhyolite cliffs and bluffs towering 1,000 ft. overhead is one of Arizona’s
best kept secrets. Located southwest of
Tucson Clarion: Thurs Apr 15 (7 AM – 7:30 PM) Cost: $99
Chiricahua National Monument Wilderness: Echo Canyon Loop Trail (Rated Md) This well maintained and beautiful hiking route takes us on a scenic 4 mile loop through a fantasy of rock sculpted by the forces of nature over millions of years. There is a 450 ft. elevation change with some rocky and steep trail segments. However, most of the trail is only moderate in difficulty. Situated in the northern end of the Chiricahua Mountains, this area offers a natural corridor for plants and animals from both north and south of the border. The Monument encompasses 11,985 acres of which 10,290 acres have been designated as wilderness. Dinner stop on return (not included). (http://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm)
Tucson Clarion: Tues Apr 20 (7 AM - 7 PM) Cost: $99
Chiricahua National Monument Wilderness: Heart Of Rocks Trail (Rated D) This trail into the backcountry leads us into the heart of the monument where a spectacular array of
grottos, cliff faces, spires and hoodoos await our exploration. We’ll
start from the Massai Point trailhead at 6870 ft. The Heart of Rocks is a
unique area, and is a world apart from the surrounding Sonoran and
Tucson Clarion: Tue May 4 (6:30 AM – 7:30 PM) Cost: $99
Tour Meeting Locations
All participants for tours and hikes will rendezvous at the
Clarion Hotel, Tucson
International
For day trips starting from, or going through,
For all trips bring lunch, water, sun protection, and good walking shoes (or boots for hiking trips). Sometimes dinner stops (cost not included) will be included in longer day trips.
Day tour Registration/Cancellation Policies
Payment in full for day tours is required
within one week of making a reservation to confirm your space. Make checks out to Fiesta
Cancellations: 10 days or more in advance of departure - full refund less $10.00 Less than 10 days before departure, no refund can be issued. If for any reason, we need to cancel the tour, all of your money will be refunded.