South Mountain Park "Spring into Nature" Event, Feb 23, 2014

SPRING INTO NATURE EVENT AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN OFFERS OUTDOOR FUN

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department Press Release:

South Mountain Park

    Live animal displays, guided nature walks, a climbing wall, and introductory archery clinics will highlight the free “Spring into Nature” outdoor celebration at South Mountain Park Feb. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the event in partnership with a host of other outdoor and public land agencies.

     The event is scheduled on the park’s designated Silent Sunday, so participants can park in the parking lot of the Activity Complex, 10919 S. Central Ave., and enjoy the festivities before heading out on bikes on the park’s roadways, which will be closed to motor vehicles. Visitors also can take a spin on a tandem bicycle provided by Syncd-N as well as try hand bikes designed for people with limited mobility or sight impairment, provided courtesy of Daring Adventures.            

     Groups and organizations that will be on hand with games and fun activities include Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Herpetological Society, Liberty Wildlife, Leave No Trace, REI, National Civilian Community Corps, and Phoenix Police.

     More information on the parks, preserves and recreation facilities of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is available online at phoenix.gov/parks. 
http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/

BOX CANYON

BOX CANYON of the HASSAYAMPA RIVER

Wickenburg

For most of its 100-mile course, the Hassayampa River flows only in subterranean channels.  But for roughly 14 miles, bedrock buoys the water above ground. Two of the easiest access points to the wet sections are The Nature Conservancy's Hassayampa River Preserve and Box Canyon.

While the preserve area is a quiet place with beautifully tame riverside trails, "The Box" is an outdoor recreation free-for-all. Hikers and equestrians share the waterway with motorized traffic, gold panners and raucous families with kids and dogs.  From the parking area, a rugged Jeep road descends from the lip of the canyon to the river gorge.  Here, the exploratory trek heads off in both directions.  Turn west to visit the rubble of defunct Mistake Mine, or go east along a water-hopping route that leads through the most spectacular section of the canyon where vertical walls of conglomerate rock pinch the water into lacy rivulets and shifting sandbars before exiting into the spillway of Dinosaur Wash. The canyon narrows are about a mile in length, and water levels vary with rainfall, so, be prepared to get your feet wet.

LENGTH: up to 1.5 miles each way

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2295'-2240'

GETTING THERE:

From the US60/93 traffic circle in Wickenburg, go 4.6 miles north on US93 to Scenic Loop Road at milepost 195.  Turn right, drive 6.8 miles, take the right fork at a BLM "no dumping" sign and go 0.1 mile to the parking area. Scenic Loop is sedan-friendly graded dirt, however, some sections may wash out during heavy rain.

INFO: Bureau of Land Management, 623-580-5500

MAP: http://outwickenburgway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Final-Wickenburg-Hiking-Brochure.pdf
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