NATIONAL-NEWS-RELEASE: Forest Service Begins the Fall Colors Season with 2010 Hotline

From: Press Office Date: September 23, 2010 9:02:52 AM PDT To: USDA-FS-NEWS@newsbox.usda.gov Subject: NATIONAL-NEWS-RELEASE: Forest Service Begins the Fall Colors Season with 2010 Hotline USDA Forest Service Press Release Release No. 1017 Press Office 201 14th St.,SW,Washington, D.C.20024 Voice (202)205.1134 Web: http://www.fs.fed.us Forest Service Begins the Fall Colors Season with 2010 Hotline WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2010 - USDA Forest Service officials have turned on the Fall Colors 2010 Hotline - 1-800-354-4595 - and will use Twitter, Facebook and blogging to provide users with the latest information about fall foliage color changes on Forest Service lands. "Thousands of people take trips each autumn on national forests to see the spectacular show of colors," said Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. "Our national forests offer some of the country's best vistas to view fall colors and magnificent landscapes, and they offer an ideal setting for families to get outdoors and learn about trees and changing colors." Changing fall colors also bring positive economic impacts to local economies and the tourism industry. For example, in New England alone, the fall foliage attracts an estimated $8 billion annually to area inns, restaurants, and local shops. Forest Service employees are keeping tabs on the changing hues. The Fall Colors 2010 Web site has links to individual forest fall colors sites and suggestions on how to get kids excited about the season. The site also includes Frequently Asked Questions about why leaves change colors and what happens after the leaves fall. "In the temperate zones, the biggest stresses that trees face are changes of seasons," said Kevin Smith, a Forest Service plant physiologist and an expert on trees. "The fall foliage color change is a milestone during the process of this natural cycle. And trees handle it pretty well." Forest Service officials indicate that general summer weather conditions experienced this year are not expected to influence the timing and intensity of leaf color. What is of particular importance is the timing and frequency of fall frosts. The peak season for fall viewing in most national forests normally begins in late September and continues through early November. However, the specific timing and length of the fall color season is affected by autumn weather patterns that are often difficult to forecast. Consult local forests for best foliage times in your area. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. # NOTE TO EDITORS: To schedule an interview with Kevin Smith, contact the Forest Service Press Office, 202-205-1294. --------------------------------------------------- USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202-720-6382 (TDD).00000000000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To receive official Forest Service information by e-mail, please subscribe by visiting http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription/ To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription If you wish to make changes to an existing account, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/changes.shtml

SECRET CANYON TRAIL

SECRET CANYON TRAIL #121 Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona A community of pinion pines, juniper and assorted cactuses at the trailhead belie what lies ahead on Secret Canyon Trail. Epic views of Sedona’s red rock landscape dominate the first 1.75 miles of this hike before the trail makes a sharp westward swerve at the mouth of the canyon. From here, the route leaves the shade-less chaparral plunging into a streambed where torrential spring water runoff and blowing dust have carved bizarre sculptures in the sandstone escarpments flanking the path. Residual pools of water stand at the bases of moisture-hungry cottonwoods with heart-shaped, lemony leaves. Near the 5-mile point, the trail enters “the narrows”, a series of slick-rock corridors hemmed in by a vertical fortification of sandstone with clusters of blood-red maples and rusty-orange oaks bursting from the rubble-strewn canyon floor. Beyond this point, the trail degrades into a quagmire of scree and undergrowth which is why most hikers make the narrows their turnaround point. However, those with good route-finding skills can opt to scramble, squeeze and scoot along a sketchy footpath for another half-mile. LENGTH: 5.5 miles one-way RATING: difficult ELEVATION: 4,500 – 5,100 feet DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 134 miles BEST SEASONS: September - May BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-October, For weekly reports, call the Forest Service Fall Color Hotline, 1-800-354-4595 or visit.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml GETTING THERE; From the “Y” intersection of AZ 179 and AZ 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) on 89A for 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152). Turn right and follow FR 152 3.4 miles to the trailhead on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock District 928-203-2900 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/secret-canyon-tr.shtml MAP: http://www.redrockcountry.org/maps/map-graphics/red-rock-map-9-05.pdf

DRY CREEK TRAIL

sycamores near their peak color on October 24

DRY CREEK TRAIL #52 Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona Like a messy artists palette dripping with happy mistakes, Dry Creek trail is like a study in raw pigments applied with a random, liberal hand. Part desert canyon, part New England woodland, this hybrid hike features the best of both worlds. Broadleaf trees ablaze in tawny hues stand side-by-side with cactuses and agaves as if placed by a designer with a knack for using exotic accessories to enliven a familiar space. Following the rugged bed of Dry Creek, the trail is rocky and slippery where it jumps from one bank to the other. It’s easy to loose the trail at these points, so to stay on track, follow the series of rock cairns (piles of stones denoting the route) surrounded by an under story of crimson maples and scarlet sumac. BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-October. For weekly reports, call the Forest Service Fall Color Hotline, 1-800-354-4595 or visit.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml LENGTH: 7 miles one-way RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 4,800 – 5,600 feet BEST SEASONS: September - May BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-to-late October DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 135 miles GETTING THERE: From the "Y" intersection of AZ 179 and AZ89A in Sedona go left (toward Cottonwood) and continue 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right, go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152), hang a right and continue 4.5 miles to the Dry Creek #52 trailhead located past the Vultee Arch parking loop on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock District 928-203-2900 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/rec_redrock.shtml#trails MAP: http://www.redrockcountry.org/maps/map-graphics/red-rock-map-9-05.pdf

SECRET CANYON-DAVID MILLER-BEAR SIGN LOOP

SECRET CANYON-DAVID MILLER-BEAR SIGN LOOP Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona This combination option hooks up two of the above trails with the David Miller connector and a segment of FR 152 for a long loop hike. Begin on the Secret Canyon Trail and hike 1.75 miles to the David Miller junction. Veer right (north) on David Miller and go 1.5 miles to the Bear Sign junction. Turn right here and continue on Bear Sign 2.25 miles to the Dry Creek junction. Go right here and continue 0.75 miles to the Dry Creek trailhead. From here, go right and follow FR 152 one mile back to the Secret Canyon trailhead. BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-October. For weekly reports, call the Forest Service Fall Color Hotline, 1-800-354-4595 or visit.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml LENGTH: 7.25-mile loop RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 4,700 – 5,400 feet DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 134 miles BEST SEASONS: September - May BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-to-late October GETTING THERE: From the “Y” intersection of AZ 179 and AZ 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) on 89A for 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152). Turn right and follow FR 152 3.4 miles to the trailhead on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock District 928-203-2900 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/secret-canyon-tr.shtml MAP: http://www.redrockcountry.org/maps/map-graphics/red-rock-map-9-05.pdf

BOYNTON CANYON TRAIL

BOYNTON CANYON #47 Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona One of Sedona’s most popular hiking destinations, the Boynton Canyon Trail weaves through a yawning gorge flanked by rusty-red and buff-colored ramparts. The route begins in a sandy gateway of mangled manzanita, agaves and yucca climbing gently uphill. Midway through the hike, the chaparral is swallowed up in forests of pine, oak, golden Arizona ash, box elder, Arizona walnut, Velvet ash, Common hop trees and syrupy-red Bigtooth maples. Here, the cliffs close in on the trail and robust canyon winds whip fallen leaves into a frenzy of color---mimicking the rustle and roar of a confetti addled street festival. Near the high point of the route, look for a steep spur path marked by rock cairns hidden in a tangle of brush. Experienced hikers can climb this earthen staircase to a scenic box canyon with sky-high red walls on all sides. BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-October. For weekly reports, call the Forest Service Fall Color Hotline, 1-800-354-4595 or visit.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml LENGTH: 3.7 miles one way RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 4,500- 5,050 feet BEST SEASONS: September - May BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-to-late October DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 135 miles one way GETTING THERE: From the "Y" intersection of AZ 179 and AZ89A in Sedona go left (toward Cottonwood) and continue 3 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road (Forest Road 152C) go 3 miles to Boynton Canyon Road, turn left and proceed another 0.3 miles to the parking lot on the right. Roads are paved. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock District 928-203-2900 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/boynton-tr.shtml Red Rock Pass: http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml MAP: http://www.redrockcountry.org/maps/map-graphics/red-rock-map-9-05.pdf

BEAR SIGN TRAIL

BEAR SIGN TRAIL #59 Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona Although not apparent from the trailhead, the remote upper reaches of Bear Sign Trail host surprisingly rich woodlands of deciduous trees that transform into a canopy of color in early autumn. To find these hidden thickets, hike on the juniper-and-scrub-lined Dry Creek Trail to the Bear Sign junction, veer left and pick up the trail heading uphill. Much of the path parallels boulder-filled ravines lined with sycamore, willows and cottonwoods eking out a living where water collects among gigantic bounders. Throughout the hike, haphazard webs of Canyon grape vines sprawl in viral abundance forming delicate veils of diffused sunlight. An especially photo-worthy section of the route passes through a concentrated stand of Arizona cypress trees. The spindly trunks and shaggy bark of this tenacious species are marred by claw marks, scat and gnawed stumps-- the “bear signs” for which the trail is named. No worries though, the black bears that roam this area are shy creatures and will usually skulk off unnoticed when roused by approaching hikers. To learn more about hiking in bear country, visit: Southwest Be Bear Aware: http://www.bebearawaresw.org/ BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-October. For weekly reports, call the Forest Service Fall Color Hotline, 1-800-354-4595 or visit.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml LENGTH: 3.5 miles one way RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 4,800 -5,450 feet BEST SEASONS: September - May BEST TIME FOR FALL COLOR: mid-to-late October DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 135 miles GETTING THERE: From the "Y" intersection of AZ 179 and AZ89A in Sedona go left (toward Cottonwood) and continue 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right, go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152), hang a right and continue 4.5 miles to the Dry Creek #52 trailhead located past the Vultee Arch parking loop on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock District 928-203-2900 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/bear-sign-tr.shtml MAP: http://www.redrockcountry.org/maps/map-graphics/red-rock-map-9-05.pdf

5 FABULOUS FALL HIKES

Temperatures are finally dropping and that means FABULOUS FALL COLOR is just a few weeks away. Last fall, I explored the canyons of Sedona, looking for more off-the-beaten-path pockets of foliage. By avoiding the swarms of visitors (and exorbitant parking fees) at the famous West Fork of Oak Creek Trail, I found alternative (and much less crowded) Sedona trails where fall color reigns supreme. Check out my trail picks in the October issue of PHOENIX magazine. On newsstands September 23, 2010.

Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio's Take on the City's New Trailhead Parking Fees

UPDATE 9-16-10: THE VOTE ON TRAILHEAD PARKING FEES HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 6, 2010. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO REGISTER YOUR CONCERNS: http://copwww05.phoenix.gov/mydistrict/ The latest citizen sacrifice: Hikers The city of Phoenix is getting ready to bleed yet another passionate segment of its citizenry, hitting them up for a few more dollars because they truly care about a narrow aspect of city life and are willing to pay more for it. Then the city will turn around and give that money to its employees. There is insufficient backbone to say no. This time it’s the hikers who will pay. You’ve seen this movie before: Threaten to kill or severely cut some service with passionate (or desperate) supporters. Offer up a disaster scenario if more money isn’t produced. Then, after the initial wailing and public apoplexy, come up with a slightly lesser fleecing of this group to gain public compliance. Hey, it’s only a few bucks and it will keep our (fill in the blank) hiking trails, softball fields, library hours, etc. etc. etc. The Oscar for this performance came during the budget hearings, where police, firemen, libraries and seniors centers were offered up as sacrifices to the fiscal gods if the public didn’t approve a $50 million food tax. Take a wild guess where all the public hearings were held? Libraries and senior centers, naturally. The ugly truth is that the $100 million in new taxes and fees Phoenix has already imposed on its citizenry in the past seven months is not necessary to keep those services and protections. It’s to find enough money to pay for 14,000-plus union-represented employees who average $100,000 a year in compensation. Yes, it was easier for Phoenix to cut after-school programs -- and send more than half of our at-risk kids back on the street, along with significant cuts to seniors -- than it was to look internally and take the significant steps to cut labor costs. By simply getting city employees to make the exact same compensation as you, the boss, we could save more than $300 million a year. Let me repeat this: If we can get public workers to make exactly what you make, we save hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Read on. That average compensation for all employees has gone up $17,000 during the past five years, which means that while you were struggling to survive the worst recession in most of our lifetimes, Phoenix employees got $17,000 in raises. Did you get that? I hope so, because you’re paying for theirs. And you’re going to pay more – for a lower service level – unless citizens rise up and shout “ENOUGH.” The parking fee – at trails you already pay for three ways – is a great place to start. This came about after the city drastically cut services and hours for parks, then gave the parks board the notion that if it didn’t raise money for the general fund, much more would be cut. That’s where the $5 a day parking fee came up (later reduced to $2 – hey, a comparative bargain). Then the city management promised that all the new dollars would go to parks. First off, management can’t promise that. Even the Council can’t promise that, because it can’t commit a future Council. And because both the Council and management already have swept parks funds this year, creating this artificial crisis, you know they’re willing and capable of doing it again. But more importantly, where’s the attention to the real drain, public employee labor costs? Everyone raised Cain when it was discovered that Bell, California, paid its top three employees hundreds of thousands of dollars. How about 14,000-plus employees averaging $100,000? (No, they don’t all make that, but the private sector compensation average for the Valley is $57,000, a difference of more than $40,000.) Connect these dots, and Phoenix is heading for the same cliff as Los Angeles, Detroit, California, Greece and General Motors. And not only does the city not have a plan to deal with labor costs, it doesn’t even plan to have a plan, other than continuing to bleed you. On Sept. 15, the Phoenix City Council will be asked to approve enforcing this latest rummage through your pockets. No Council approval, no new fee. I say it’s time to separate the taxing and spending addict from its drug, which is your money. Doing so would force Phoenix to grow a backbone and restructure its operations for today’s fiscal reality. Doing so requires you citizens demanding that it be so. Councilman Sal DiCiccio represents District 6, which includes Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Biltmore, East Camelback and North Central. He can be reached at council.district.6@phoenix.gov. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD, SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR REP:http://copwww05.phoenix.gov/mydistrict/

RANCH TRAIL

RANCH TRAIL Prescott National Forest Cavernous ravines, high-desert washes and rolling ridgelines combine for a captivating hike in the foothills of the Bradshaw mountains. Closed to motorized vehicles, the Ranch Trail #62 offers a quieter hiking experience than other shared-use routes in the district. The track rambles from ridge-to-ridge in a gently undulating rhythm through a maze of pinon pines, agaves and weather-worn boulders. The gritty earth underfoot shimmers with minerals exposed by the decaying granite that defines the area’s geology. Hovering around 6,000 feet in elevation, the trail is situated high enough above the Prescott valley to showcase fabulous views of Granite Mountain floating above the green glens that ring the town a thousand feet below. LENGTH: 6.4 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 5,600 – 6,500 feet FEE: $2 daily fee per vehicle. BEST SEASONS: April - October GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, travel north on I-17 for the Cordes Junction interchange. Go west on Highway 69 toward Prescott. Just before entering town, turn left (south) onto Walker Road (Country Road 57) and continue for a half-mile to the “62” trailhead on the right. Roads are paved all the way and there’s a restroom at the trailhead. Information: fs.fed.us/r3/Prescott (928) 771-4700

WEST WEBBER CREEK

WEST WEBBER CREEK Tonto National Forest Located in the backwoods near Boy Scout Camp Geronimo beneath the Mogollon Rim, the West Webber Trail gets little publicity and few visitors. The reason for this becomes quite clear in the last two miles of the route. This hike involves connecting three trails. The circuit starts on Highline trail #31 across the road from the trailhead on the west side of Forest Road 440. After hopping shallow Webber Creek near a cluster of evergreen myrtle, follow trail #31 (marked by white diamond tree blazes) for roughly a third-of-a-mile to the junction with Geronimo trail #240 (follow the blue diamond tree blazes). From here, go right onto trail #240 and continue for 3 miles to the Turkey Springs trail junction where there’s a (usually dry) water trough and spigot. From the spring, take the left spur road and hike uphill to the signed junction for West Webber trail #228. It’s here where the hike becomes an adventure. The first half-mile hops a soggy spring seep area and is relatively easy to follow. After that, though, the path degrades into a train wreck of fallen trees, missing signposts and eroded slopes. Good route-finding skills and plenty of stamina are required to negotiate the final two-mile segment to the top of Milk Ranch Point—a promontory on top of the Rim. Those who survive the final haul to the top are rewarded with expansive vista views and hard-won bragging rights. Highlights: Seldom-seen views of the Mogollon Rim open up for those who venture onto this rugged, steep trail in the pines. LENGTH: 10.5 miles round-trip RATING: moderate (difficult in the last 2 miles) ELEVATION: 5,780’ – 7,300’ BEST SEASONS: March - November DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 115 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Payson, go north on Highway 87 to Forest Road 64 (Control Road). Go right (east) on FR 64 and continue for 6 miles to Forest Road 440 (Webber Creek Road). Go left (north) on FR 440 and continue 2 miles to the Geronimo trailhead on the right. Information: (602) 225-5200 or fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

FALL HIKING SEASON!

FALL HIKING SEASON! Ahh, September. There’s already a nip in the air in Arizona’s high country and that means fall color is just a few weeks away. Because of our state’s multifarious landscape, “autumn” conditions begin in the high elevations in late September and trickle down into the deserts through December. So whether you’re in the mood for aspens, oaks or sycamores, we have a wide window of opportunity for viewing fall foliage. FIND YOUR HIKE: Click on the "fall color" link in this blog's Trail Index bar. This will bring up 80+ trails with lots of colorful foliage. EVEN MORE FALL HIKES: pick up a copy of the October 2010 issue of PHOENIX magazine for 4 more great fall hikes---not found on this blog!! On newsstands September 23. INFORMATION: For weekly reports, call the Forest Service Fall Color Hotline, 1-800-354-4595 or visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml

PHOENIX CITY PARKS ACCESS FEES

GET READY TO OPEN YOUR WALLET (AGAIN)! CITY OF PHOENIX PARKS & RECREATION BOARD APPROVES NEW PARKING FEE PROGRAM Budget shortfalls, layoffs, tanking stocks, earthquakes, floods, fires, plague---now this. Set to roll out in “early fall” 2010, a new City of Phoenix fee program will require visitors at five gated parking areas in South Mountain Park and Phoenix Mountains Preserve to purchase parking passes. Whoa---whoa---let’s keep our whining to a minimum, because the fees will only apply to the busiest and most congested access points, where heavy traffic results in higher maintenance costs. The fees will go toward supporting city parks & recreation programs, keeping access open and affordable and, of course, cleaning up after sloppy dummyheads and their beer cans. Soon, park rangers will begin hosting “meet & greet” events to communicate these changes. Until then---- HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: WHEN: begins in early fall 2010 WHICH LOCATIONS WILL REQUIRE THE FEE: Although more than 30 access/parking areas will remain FREE, the 5 most popular locations will require a fee to park. They are: Pima Canyon, Echo Canyon-Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, Dreamy Draw, North Mountain COST: annual pass: $75, 6-month pass: $50, daily pass: $2 WHERE TO PURCHASE: pass will be available online and at City of Phoenix recreation and community centers. The city has plans to install self-pay kiosks in future. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T PAY UP?: for the first few introductory months, nothing---after that though, you may be fined. INFORMATION: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html

WEST FORK of the BLACK RIVER

WEST FORK of the BLACK RIVER Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest UPDATE: this trail was damaged by the WALLOW FIRE, June 8, 2011. Check with the forest service for updates.  The Black River snakes downhill from its headwaters in the White Mountains near the Arizona-New Mexico state line to its confluence with the Upper Salt River near Fort Apache. During its 90-mile course, the river runs through mostly remote and inaccessible terrain. Yet, West Fork Trail #628, which parallels one of its most scenic tributaries, is easy to find and gives a good sense of the river's life-giving power. The trail is mostly flat and follows a simple path above the rugged volcanic walls of the river canyon. Breathtaking views of massive basalt rock-falls and expansive prairies will have you reaching for your camera every few yards as the trails moves closer to the rim above the river gorge. Known as a great place to spot elk, you’ll need to hit the trail at dawn or dusk for the best chance to see these amazing vegetarians emerge from the cover of sub-alpine forests. In summer, the Wapiti (elk) seldom venture more than a half-mile from water and can usually be seen foraging along the banks of the West Fork of the Black River in the twilight hours. LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 8,870 – 8,500 feet BEST SEASONS: April - November GETTING THERE: From downtown Eagar, go west on Highway 260 for 2.8 miles to the Highway 261 junction. Go left (south) on Hwy 261 and continue for 16.3 miles to Highway 273. Turn left and go roughly 3 miles to Forest Road 249E. Turn right and follow FR249E 2 miles to Forest Road 68. Take FR 68 another mile to the trailhead on the side of the road. ALTERNATE ACCESS: See Thompson Trail blog entry. INFORMATION: Springerville Ranger Station, 928-333-4372, fs.fed.us/r3/asnf

ARIZONA WILDFIRE INFORMATION

ARIZONA WILDFIRE INFORMATION Summer hiking in Arizona often involves finding a trail that's NOT ON FIRE! This is the bane of my existence from June through October. Keeping up with the annual onslaught of forest fires can be a challenge--that's where your smart phone or computer can come in really handy. The following Web sites provide information on current wildfires AND some even let you link to news feeds via e-mail, Twitter and Facebook. Seriously, these services have saved me countless hours of driving. Imagine heading up to the high country in anticipation of a fun day on the trails only to have your plans thwarted by fire. No. Fun. Also, these feeds provide valuable information about prescribed burns--so you won't panic unnecessarily. InciWeb (Incident Information System): http://www.inciweb.org/state/3/ Coconino NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/fire/index.shtml Tonto NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/fire/ Apache-Sitgreaves NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/fire/ Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention: http://azsf.az.gov/fire_information/

ARIZONA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

For all you hikers who appreciate and enjoy learning about Arizona's amazing geology---check out the Arizona Geological Survey's online newsletter. The latest issue features a very cool "Photo Tour of the Verde River" as well as articles about AZ earthquakes and new findings about the origins of the Grand Canyon. If you've ever wondered about the land underfoot and on the horizon while hiking, the AZGS is a great source. Here's the link: http://www.azgs.az.gov/arizona_geology/summer10/arizonageology.html

FIRST WATER CREEK OVERLOOK

FIRST WATER CREEK OVERLOOK Superstition Wilderness Whatever you do, don’t be deterrered by the ugly electrical tower in a dirt turnoff along State Route 88, which serves as the trailhead for this hike. In fact, if you didn’t know what you’re looking for, you’d fly right by this austere landmark. But, for those in the know, it marks the start of a pleasant amble to a breezy cliff overlooking Canyon Lake and the stunning beauty of the lava-borne canyon of First Water Creek. Slightly rocky, but not to difficult to follow, the informal footpath winds among huge boulders and wind-swept desert plants for a short but memorable leg-stretch for those on their way to or from Tortilla Flat or Canyon Lake. LENGTH: 1 mile roundtrip RATING: easy ELEVATION: 2,038-1,858 feet BEST SEASONS: October - April GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, travel east on US 60 to the Idaho Road/SR 88 exit. Follow SR88 north roughly 12 miles to a dirt pull out between mileposts 207 and 208 and park near the electrical tower that bears a hand-painted #174.

HART PRAIRIE PRESERVE

HART PRAIRIE PRESERVE The Nature Conservancy, Flagstaff Before the arrival of European settlers on the western slopes of Flagstaff’s San Francisco Mountain, Hart Prairie was a healthy patchwork of meadows, willow-cluttered wetlands, rings of aspens and a smattering of pines where regular low-intensity natural fires and a community of top-tier predators helped keep the ecological balance in check. Over the past hundred years, the effects of altered hydrolics, fire suppression, and the introduction of invasive plants and non-indigenous animals have transformed the landscape. In 1994, 245 acres of Hart Prairie along with an historic lodge and guest cabins were donated to The Nature Conservancy. Since then, the organization has set out to restore the alpine meadows to their former natural state through creative collaboration with the forest service, local landowners and other conservation groups. This ambitious restoration project is a work-in-progress and is open to visitors only by guided nature walks offered every Sunday from June 13th to October 10th (except September 12th). The walks are easy, last roughly 90-minutes and cover topics such as topography, willow biology, and wet meadow dynamics. LENGTH: variable, but about a mile RATING: easy & educational ELEVATION: 8,500 feet BEST SEASONS: June - October GETTING THERE: Tour groups meet at 10:00 a.m. sharp at the Fort Valley Plaza Shopping Center, 1000 N. Humphreys St. at the southwest corner by the guardrail. Reservations are not required. Participants must wear sturdy shoes and bring sun protection, rain gear and plenty of water. No pets or food are allowed in the preserve. Fees: Tours are free, however, donations are appreciated. INFORMATION: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/arizona/preserves/art15233.html (928) 774-8892 or e-mail hartprairie@tnc.org.