SUN LAKES HIKING CLUB: HIKES for February 2015 Feb 2 MON> RETREADS: Turpentine Trail Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve Rated C, 5 miles, AEG - 276’, 90 miles r/t, driver’s fee $5. This trail is noted for a knee high bush in the sunflower family that gives off a piney fragrance and the area is home to 128 species of birds. There are views of Weaver’s Needle and Tom Thumb. Helen/Jack Schultz 802-0431 Feb 2 MON> Siphon Draw and Flatiron Location: Superstition Mountains Trailhead - 2080’, 70 miles r/t, driver’s fee $5 + share of park entrance fee. Siphon Draw: rated C+, 4 miles, AEG - 1185’; Flatiron: rated B+, 5.8 miles, AEG - 2930. NOTE: Those hiking Flatiron need collapsible poles and gloves due to significant rock scrambling. Both hikes offer scenic views with unusual rock formations. Brian Hill 802-1050 Feb 4 WED> Dixie Mine Trail Location; McDowell Mountain Preserve Rated C, 6.3 miles, Trailhead – 2100’, AEG – 545’; 95 miles r/t, driver’s fee $6+ share of park entrance fee. An easy rolling trail and scenic hike to the old Dixie mine through nice areas of cacti. Paulette/Jerry Zuehlke 883-7056 Feb 9 MON> RETREADS: Scenic Trail Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park Rated C, 4.5 miles, AEG - <300’; 92 miles r/t, driver’s fee $6 + share of park entrance fee. This hike provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Deer, javelina, coyotes and a variety of birds have been spotted. Optional lunch after the hike. Bonnie Tasch 802-2836 Feb 9 MON> Coon Creek Ruins NOTE: EARLY START! Location: Sierra Ancha Mountains Rated B, 8 miles, Trailhead – 2700’, AEG - 500’; 231 miles r/t, driver’s fee $14+ $2 dirt road fee. View cliff dwelling ruins, located under natural rock shelter that has brownish red walls and overlooks a creek. NOTE: Meet up at 6:45. Carpools leave Cottonwood parking lot at 7:00 a.m. sharp. MANDATORY R.S.V.P. to hike leaders due to limited parking at the trailhead. Barb Smith 970-241-0838 Joyce Frericks 217-440-6588 Feb 11 WED> Pass Mountain Trail Location: Usery Mountain Park Rated C+, 6.8 miles, Trailhead - 2030’, AEG - 1020’; 62 miles r/t, driver’s fee $4+ share of park entrance fee. This is a great loop trail but might be done as an in and out. The views of the cliff face of the Superstitions are fantastic. Liz Morque 612-201-4213 Dave Friesen 428-2247 Feb 13 FRI> 5th Annual South Mountain Trek NOTE: MANDATORY SIGN UP! Dennis Harkins Three options are offered: (1) 15.7 miles, AEG - 2493’; (2) 8 miles, AEG - 735’; 883-7173 (3) 5.1 miles, AEG - 176’. Hikers will meet at 8:00 at the Cottonwood parking lot and carpool to the Pima Canyon Trailhead. Hikers will then divide into three groups depending on the hike selected. MANDATORY SIGN UP at the February meeting or by contacting the leader by Feb. 6. . Feb 16 MON> RETREADS: To Be Announced Michael Josephson 248-496-5369 Feb 16 MON> Idaho Pass and Peak 3134 Mary/Steve Martz Location: Goldfield Mountains Rated B, 8.5 miles, Trailhead - 2000’, AEG - 1850’; 70 miles r/t, driver’s fee $5. A very pretty trail with lots of wildflowers. Fantastic 360 degree view from the top. Last ½ mile rather steep so poles are recommended. 317-750-0663 317-750-0253 Feb 18 WED> Mesquite Canyon and Willow Canyon Trails Gene Smestad Location: White Tank Mountain Regional Park 339-0216 Rated C, 6.5 miles, Trailhead – 1541’, AEG – 1275’; 120 miles r/t, driver’s fee $8.+ share of park entrance fee. This in and out hike is to Willow Spring, a pool of water enclosed on 3 sides by high, rugged cliffs. If there have been recent rains, there might be a waterfall. From the trails can be seen far reaching views of the West Valley and nice scenery looking down into the canyons. There are longer upward Inclines at the beginning of the hike, then the trail levels out for an easy walk to the pool. Feb 23 MON> RETREADS: Taliesin, Quartz and West World Trails Location: Near McDowell Sonoran Preserve Rated C, 6 mile loop or 5 miles in and out, Trailhead – 1620”, AEG - 500’, 67 miles r/t, driver’s fee $4. The trail weaves through desert areas to the Taliesin Overlook, then turns to run through upscale housing communities and finishes around a beautiful golf course. It includes many views of the preserve and greater valley to the north. Virginia/Al Metz 895-1868 Feb 23 MON> Ballantine Trail Location: Tonto National Forest Rated B, 8.8 miles, Trailhead - 2258’ AEG - 1381’; 112 miles r/t, driver’s fee $7. From Pine Creek Loop, take Ballantine Trail out through unmarred Sororan Desert and climb up into Ballantine Canyon. Lunch will be at Rock Creek with great views to the south before returning. Vivienne Torgeson 503-339-5624 Feb 25 WED> Massacre Grounds Location: Superstition Wilderness Rated C, 5.5 miles, Trailhead - 2263’, AEG - 1200’, 76 miles r/t, driver’s fee $5. The Massacre Grounds trail takes you past a small knoll with some small caves past a mini-needle and through a tunnel of lush vegetation before delivering you to the east side of Massacre Wall and Massacre Falls. We will visit a small ramp style ridge that offers a nice 360 degree view from the top. There’s also a sheer drop-off and it is rumored that the Apache Indians ran Spanish miners off the top of the ridge after they had confiscated a cache of their gold. Greg Jewell 282-0061 Bonnie Tasch 802-2836 Mar 6 FRI> SLHC MONTHLY MEETING 3:45, Phoenix Room, Cottonwood Sun Lakes Hiking Club website: meetup.com/Sun-Lakes-Hiking-Club