Calendar
of Events
for Winter/Spring 2012
STOP
- HALT - WAIT - FREEZE - DISCONTINUE
If
you
are
NEW, please
review the Participation Disclaimer (located below) and the section titled
"FAQ's and Club Rules"
BEFORE you
consider attending any CHCoA outings.
Participation Disclaimer
The Canine
Hiking Club of AZ is an unofficial,
not for profit
networking group. Each person is participating of their own will, you and you
alone
are
responsible for your safety and that of your dog(s). Please act accordingly
to
ensure all outings are safe and fun for everyone. Additionally, neither Jamie
DeBenedetto nor ANY person that has planned, offered, organized or invited others
to join them for an outing assumes any responsibility
for human or dog injury or death, loss of gear, or damage to vehicles at any time
before,
during, or after events.
Participation
in events
is voluntary and you do so at your own risk.
Outdoor activities can be dangerous, your participation in an event posted on
the Canine
Hiking Club of AZ website or Yahoo Group is acknowledgment
that you have read, understand and agree to the above.
(You may be asked
to sign
off on this disclaimer at each event before participating.)
New
outings and updated information about posted
events
will be
added to this calendar throughout the month.
While functions are rarely cancelled, we highly recommend contacting
the event organizer directly before attending just to make sure it is
in fact still going as scheduled and none of the posted information has changed.
Any person involved with the Canine Hiking
Club of AZ is welcome
to have their outing posted on the calendar. Simply email Jamie D.[Jdeben
(AT) hotmail.com] with the details and she will add it to
the calendar as soon as possible. We encourage posting your event on the club's
Yahoo Group as well.
The CHCoA Event Rating
Scale is located
at the bottom of this page or by clicking on Level in each hike description.
Suggestions from club members regarding day hiking and backpacking gear can be
found on the Dottie's Corner
page.
Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye it also includes
the inner picture of the soul. - Edvard Munch
February 2012 (Updated 3 Feb)
Friday Night Hikes - Jamie will be leading a 2 to 2.5 hr
night hikes
somewhere in the North Valley a few Fridays a month as long as there is interest.
We'll start around sundown with possible earlier starts as temps cool down. If
anyone is interested
please shoot Jamie an email (jdeben@hotmail.com) or post a message to the yahoo
group.
Our next one is planned for Feb. 10th at 6:30pm. This
hike will be close to the full moon but please bring a light if you aren't comfortable
with hiking by moonlight.
Sunday Feb. 19th - Jamie D. will be leading a day hike
on another section of the Black Canyon Trail near Bumble Bee.
Meeting Time &
Place: 7:45am at the Park-n-Ride located on the SW corner of I-17
and Bell Rd. We can meet folks farther north off I-17 if needed. Please let Jamie
know if this is your situation.
Contact:
Jamie
D - 623-223-2636 or jdeben@hotmail.com
Vehicle Info: Passenger cars are fine - No parking fee
Length: 6.5 miles - Level:
Moderate - Elevation: around 2,400 ft
Facilities:
No - Water on Trail: Possibly in some of the washes but don't rely on this
water.
Leash Etiquette: OWNER DISCRETION - Most of this trail
runs along BLM land and therefore the dog leashing law is a bit more relaxed.
Please keep your dog
leashed at the trailhead(TH) and during all group stops, as per CHCoA rule #2.
And please watch for horses and livestock. They have the right of way.
Trail Info: This hike is will take us through the American Gulch and Hidden
Treasure Mine segments of the much longer BCT Trail. The trail sits in the foothills
of the Bradshaw Mtns and runs through very scenic sections of upper and low desert
habitat. Thus far the trail as remained fairly level with only gradual climbs
and descents where the topography dictates. Should be okay for beginners if you
are able to handle the 6.5 mile distance.
Other stuff:
Please contact Jamie D. at
least 2 days in advance if you plan to attend. Bring plenty
of water
for you and your dog, a snack or lunch and wear clothing appropriate
to
the weather. We absolutely recommend all hikers carry the 10
Essentials along with whatever other gear you feel you and your dog need for
a safe outing.
Monday Feb. 26th - This date is tentatively planned and
could change as we get closer. - Jamie D. will be scouting the Cottonwood
Trail #247 in the Tonto NF north of the town of Carefree.
Meeting Time &
Place: TBD as we get closer and I find out if there is interest.
Contact:
Jamie
D - 623-223-2636 or jdeben@hotmail.com
Vehicle Info: Passenger cars are fine - $3 per person hike fee
Length: about 6 miles - Level:
Moderate - Elevation: around 2,400 ft
Facilities:
Yes at TH - Water on Trail: Should be in Cave Creek and possibly in Cottonwood
Creek.
Leash Etiquette: ON LEASH - The first two miles of
this route are in the Spur Cross Conservation Park so the leash law applies.
Once in the Tonto NF off-leash is acceptible as long as we aren't bothering other
trial users.
Trail Info: The trails in this area are mainly high desert mixed with riparian
habitat. There will be at least 5 creek crossings and I'm hoping to find some
pools in Cottonwood Creek. The first 2 miles is a well maintained and used path,
not sure what the condition of Cottonwood Creek trail will be.
Other stuff:
Please contact Jamie D. at
least 2 days in advance if you plan to attend. Bring plenty
of water
for you and your dog, a snack or lunch and wear clothing appropriate
to
the weather, I also encourage pants in case the trail is overgrown in spots. We
absolutely recommend all hikers carry the 10
Essentials along with whatever other gear you feel you and your dog need for
a safe outing.
Looking ahead in 2012...
March - Jamie D. is hoping to lead a beginner level overnight backpacking trip to an area with a creek. This hike will most likely take place in the second half of the month depending on our temps. Total hike mileage over the two days will ideally be less than 8 miles. More info. and more discussion of this hike will be posted on both the Yahoo and Facebook pages.
March
& April - Jamie
D. will cont. day hiking the Black Canyon Trail
section by section.
We are currently just north of Bumble Bee and will continue to make our
way north toward Mayer, AZ. More info. on the
BCT can found at http://www.bctaz.com/
The last 3 segments leading to Mayer total about 14 miles. We will either do
these at two separate day hikes or maybe has a overnight backpack trip in the
Spring. Please watch the Yahoo and Facebook pages for more discussion on this.
Event
Rating Scale
Effortless
- No experience or fitness
ability
needed. Usually denotes a non-exercise event.
Easy - Beginner level, very low fitness ability okay. Denotes day-hikes less than 3 miles per day with very little elevation change or terrain difficulty (primarily flat terrain on an easy walking surface).
Easy + - Beginner level, low fitness ability okay. Denotes hikes less than 5 miles per day with very little elevation change or terrain difficulty.
Moderate - Novice level, some fitness ability needed. Denotes hikes less than 8 miles per day with some increase in elevation and/or terrain difficulty (some up and down and more challenging walking surface) and/or weather conditions.
Moderate + - Novice level, high fitness ability needed. Denotes hikes less than 13 miles per day with a definite increase in elevation and/or terrain difficulty and/or weather conditions.
Advanced - Suitable for those with advanced skills and a strong level of fitness. Usually denotes hikes over 13 miles per day with increased terrain difficulty, elevation change and/or intense weather conditions.
Whoa Nellie! - This level is reserved for experienced and well conditioned hikers only. Treks in this category are either long (over 16 miles in a single day) and/or have extreme terrain and elevation challenges along with possible adverse weather conditions.
**Please Note: The rating scale is only a "general" guide as to the level of the event given from the perspective of the person who organized the function. It is based on the info. they have gathered or their personal experience with the area. This person assumes no responsibility for changes or inaccurate info. Hiking can be a dangerous activity, please read the club's disclaimer located at the top of this page before joining us for an event. If you have questions about the difficulty of a function please contact the person who planned the event directly before you attend.