What does Rating mean?
	What does Carpool mean?

PASS MOUNTAIN TRAIL & BBQ - Usery Mountain Recreation Area
Date:	Monday, Jan. 1
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	7.2 miles
Rating:	Moderate
Elv. Change:	1000'
Meet at:	Basha’s/I-Hop parking lot, SW corner of Higley and Brown in East Mesa @ 9:00 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
The trail is a pleasant loop around the perimeter of Pass Mountain the Usery Mountain Recreation Area, with 700 ft. of mostly gradual elevation change. From the trail, there are awesome views of the Superstition, Goldfield, Mazatzal, and Usery Mountains, and an excellent overview of Fountain Hills and the Verde River. Bring something to BBQ, your favorite beverage and a dish to share…let’s start 2007 off by putting our best “boot” forward.  Note: There is a $5 park entrance fee per vehicle.

LUCKY’S LOOP - SOUTH MOUNTAIN
Date:	Sat,  Jan. 6
Leader:	Dave Brunstein
Phone:	480-567-6353
Length:	7 mile R/T
Rating:	Easy to Moderate
Elv. Change:	~ 980’
Meet at:	Beverly Canyon TH, 8800 South 46th Street (south of Baseline), 8:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
This is a fun, but strenuous, loop using the Ridgeline and Guadalupe Ridgeline trails. Both trails climb the tallest hills in the eastern section of the park with lots of ups and downs.  The trail is rugged and steep in sections. We will have fantastic views of the city, see a Hohokum petroglyph panel, and also see Father Kino’s inscription dated 1539. Bring plenty of water.

COLDWATER - RAINBOW LOOP - Estrella Mountains
Date:	Sat, Jan. 13
Leader:	Randy Baker
Phone:	602-616-9491
Length:	6 + miles R/T
Rating:	Easy
Elv. Change:	350'
Meet at:	East end of Fry's Electronics parking lot, Baseline Rd west of I-10, 8:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:	Westsiders can meet at the Estrella Park entrance at 9:30 AM
Updates:
Please contact the hike leader prior to the hike if planning to participate. This scenic loop is in the northern reaches of the wild and spectacular Sierra Estrella Mountains. Great views and spectacular desert scenery will unfold as we hike. There are fascinating rock formations and a vast expanse of saguaros on the west side of the range. We will start our hike on the Coldwater Trail, connect to the Gadsden Trail, looping back on the Rainbow Valley Trail for a total length of 6 miles. For those strong of body but weak of mind, an additional 1.5 miles can be added by continuing on the Gadsden Trail to return to the trailhead. Westsiders can meet us at the park entrance at park entrance at 9:30 am.  Afterwards for those interested we can repast at a local cantina.

GO JOHN TRAIL - Cave Creek Recreation Area
Date:	Sat, Jan. 20
Leader:	Rich Flammang
Phone:	623-878-6237
Length:	4.8 miles R/T
Rating:	Moderate minus
Elv. Change:	~ 500’
Meet at:	Denny’s parking lot, SW corner of I-17 and Bell Road, 7:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:	CHANGE IN AFTER HIKE ACTIVITY Fellow Club Members, Garth and Julia, who live near the entrance to the Cave Creek Recreation Area and have graciously invited hikers to their beautiful home after the hike for a BBQ.  They will provide burgers and one side dish. If you wish to BBQ something other than a burger, bring it along and throw it on the grill.  Hikers are asked to bring a side dish to share and their beverage of choice. If you wish to participate in the after hike BBQ, please RSVP by calling Rich at 623-878-6237 or by responding via e-mail to Penni .
Located in the Cave Creek Recreation Area, the Go John Trail starts off with a brief but somewhat steep ascent and decent. After the first mile, the trail continues on in a gentle roller coaster fashion through the Sonoran Desert. There are some beautiful vistas of saguaro-studded mountains and you will also see some abandoned mines along the trail and neighboring mountains. The Cave Creek Recreation Area charges $5.00 per car.

BARNHARDT TRAIL - near Payson, AZ
Date:	Sat, Jan. 27
Leader:	Mike Harren
Phone:	602-330-2631
Length:	12 miles RT
Rating:	Moderate
Elv. Change:	~ 2000 ft
Meet at:	North side of Target parking lot at 16825 E. Shea, west of Beeline, 7:45 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
This hike takes place in the vast and beautiful Mazatzal Wilderness area.  The trail starts out on the Barnhardt Mesa and winds through cholla, prickly pear, and palo verde.  As we ascend toward Mazatzal range, or divide, we will move through pinyon pine and juniper with great views of the canyon and valley below (contingent upon weather conditions).  We will pass several waterfalls that may be running and move through ponderosa pine and small oaks. Expect optimum hiking weather with an average high temperature of around 59 degrees F.

UPPER BURRO CREEK BACKPACK - Bagdad
Date:	Fri - Sun, Feb. 2 - 4
Leader:	Dave Brunstein
Phone:	480-567-6353
Length:	9 miles
Rating:	Moderate
Elv. Change:	+/- 1500'
Meet at:	Determined by hike leader – call for details
Carpool:
Note:	Contact hike leader before January 25th to RSVP and to arrange carpooling.
Updates:	THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELED - REPLACED WITH EASY SUPERSTITIONS BLUFF SPRING LOOP DAY HIKE/BIGINNERS BACKPACK. CONTACT THE HIKE LEADER FOR DETAILS
Upper Burro Creek is a perennial stream that passes through incised bedrock where it runs deep, creating clear blue pools connected by small waterfalls. In other areas, the creek has backed up into long, marshy pools ringed with young trees and vegetation. No trail exists so expect some moderate bushwhacking, lots of boulder hopping, and constant wading. This will be an exploratory trip to discover this new wilderness area. Meeting location and carpooling arrangements to be arranged once participant list is determined

LOY CANYON - Sedona
Date:	Sat, Feb 10
Leader:	Cyd Cassel
Phone:	602-738-2065
Length:	10 miles R/T
Rating:	Moderate/Difficult
Elv. Change:	1780'
Meet at:	Denny’s parking lot, SW corner of I-17 and Bell Road, 7:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
Please contact hike leader before February 3rd if planning to participate. This is a beautiful 10 mile loop trail with an elevation change from 4,720 to approximately 6,500’. The trail through the lower section of the canyon is very scenic with views of Loy Butte and the western face of Secret Mountain. The last 2 miles will be strenuous as we climb through switchbacks to the Secret Mountain Saddle. We may go on another 1 mile to the “Secret Cabin” on top of the mountain. I have been there in February when it was 70 degrees and sunny and also when there was snow above my ankles. Be ready for a change in climate! Please, no dogs or children. Red Rock fees apply.

SUPERSTITION BACKPACK - Superstition Mountains
Date:	Sat - Sun, Feb 17 - 18 *
Leader:	Rockne Taylor
Phone:	602-499-1877
Length:	23 miles
Rating:	Moderate/Difficult
Elv. Change:	~ 980’
Meet at:	MEET at hike leader’s home at 6:00 PM on Friday, Feb 16th
Carpool:
Note:	Contact hike leader via cell phone by Feb 1st if you plan on attending
Updates:	MILES HAVE BEEN UPDATED
This is a backpacking loop trip through the heart of the Superstition Wilderness with moderate elevation change. We will camp at the Tortilla Headquarters Trailhead on Friday night. Saturday we will head south to Upper LaBarge Box at the foot of Coffee Flat Mountain. We then will be hiking in LaBarge Canyon on the Red Tanks Trail. Saturday evening will be spent in Charlebois Canyon where there is a perennial spring. Sunday morning we will hike up to Peters Mesa and out to Tortilla Headquarters. * Depending on participants, Monday, Feb 19th is President’s Day and Rockne would be open to extending this hike thru the 19th if all the others agree.

PICACHO PEAK HIKE & BBQ
Date:	Sat, Feb 24
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	< 4 miles R/T
Rating:	Moderate plus
Elv. Change:	~ 2000 ft
Meet at:	I-HOP parking lot, NW corner of I-10 and Ray Rd, 8:00 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
This annual outing takes us to Picacho Peak. You know, it’s the lone mountain between here and Tucson alongside I-10. The trail is short, but steep. Along the way there is a very steep section near the top that has chain assists. The views are the real attraction to this hike. You can see for 100 miles in each direction from the top. Plus, on the lower section, if we are blessed with fall and spring rains, we will be entertained by a profusion of wildflowers. Directly following the hike, at the picnic area, we will have a bring-your-own barbecue.

“BLUES BLAST” BLUES FESTIVAL - Mesa Amphitheater
Date:	Sun, Feb 25
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	100 yards from the parking lot!
Rating:	Fun!
Elv. Change:
Meet at:
Carpool:
Note:	I will be buying the group purchase tickets on February 1st - please confirm by then if you’d like to participate with the “group”.
Updates:
This has been an annual Friend’s outing for about 7 years now. It truly is a “Blast”. If we buy 12+ tickets at once, we save $2.00 per. (They may have a price increase this year, but last year tickets were only $15.00.)  The lineup of artists is being assembled, so check back with the Blues Blast website @ http://www.phoenixblues.org/bluesblast/, for updates and for rules and regs on what you can bring into the amphitheater and what concessions are available. The festival begins at 11 AM (doors open @ 10:30). Lawn seating – blanket(s), short chairs, hat, umbrella, etc.

NELSON TRAIL LOOP DAYHIKE & OPTIONAL BACKPACK - PINE MOUNTAIN
Date:	Sat, March 3
Leader:	Randy Baker
Phone:	602-616-9491
Length:	10 miles +/-
Rating:	Moderate/Difficult
Elv. Change:	1500'
Meet at:	Denny’s parking lot, SW corner of I-17 and Bell Road, 7:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:	Backpackers, please contact the hike leader if you plan to attend.
Updates:	DOWNLOAD VIDEO (8meg)
As one of Arizona's lesser-known wilderness areas, the Pine Mountain Wilderness offers fine hiking without the crowds. This loop hike takes in a section of the Verde Rim as well as Pine Mountain itself, the highest peak in the Camp Verde area. Majestic ponderosa pines cover the terrain, where on a clear day, you can see Weaver's Needle in the Superstitions, the San Francisco Peaks and the Verde River. The hike is easy enough at first, but when within two miles of the top, there are numerous switchbacks to conquer. Plan a full day for this trip and bring all of your water, as resources are unreliable. Backpackers will spend the night the Verde Rim and hike out Sunday morning. Note high clearance vehicles are recommended for the carpool to the trailhead.

TRES ALAMOS BLM WILDERNESS - Northwest of Wickenburg, AZ
Date:	Sat, March 10
Leader:	Garth Newby  or  Julia McManus
Phone:	623-451-8023
Length:	7 miles R/T
Rating:	Moderate/Difficult
Elv. Change:	~ 980’
Meet at:	4 Sons Gas Station, NE corner of I-17 and Carefree Highway, 7:30 AM. Park on the west side of building.
Carpool:
Note:	High clearance vehicle needed for those driving to the trailhead.
Updates:
Tres Alamos is located about 80 miles northwest of Phoenix on Highway 93. We will be hiking Tres Alamos peak, which dominates the Tres Alamos wilderness. From the Tres Alamos peak plateau, we will be able to see as far as the Bradshaw Mountains, which are essentially in Prescott. This is an off-trail hike, however it is fairly easy. We will drive as close as we can get to the base and then we will start our walk to the top. The area is middle desert much like Phoenix, so going cross country is easy. It will be a gradual climb to the top of Tres Alamos peak.

EPIC BOULDER CANYON - BATTLESHIP - LABARGE BOX LOOP - Superstitions
Date:	Sat, March 17
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	14 mile loop
Rating:	Strenuous
Elv. Change:
Meet at:	South end of Home Depot parking lot, SE corner US60 & Power Rd, 6:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
Not for the faint-of-heart, this trip has it all. Starting from the Canyon Lake Trailhead, we will make our way up Boulder Canyon, then up LaBarge Canyon to the “LaBarge Box” . From the Box we will make our way up on top of Battleship Mountain and hike/climb the sketchy section out to its northern tip, taking in awe -inspiring views of Canyon Lake, Weaver’s Needle, and other notable Superstition landmarks. From there we will backtrack, but drop down into Boulder Canyon, returning down Boulder Canyon to the trailhead. There will be very little on-trail hiking on this trip; it will be canyon bottoms for the most part with some desert scrub thrown in for good measure.

SAFFORD TO MORENCI TRAIL BACKPACK
Date:	Fri - Sun, March 23 - 25
Leader:	Dave Brunstein
Phone:	480-567-6353
Length:	18 miles
Rating:	Moderate plus
Elv. Change:	2500'
Meet at:
Carpool:
Note:	Contact hike leader before march 3rdto RSVP and to arrange carpooling
Updates:	See the post-hike writeup and photos at HikeArizona! DOWNLOAD VIDEO (7meg)
Built in 1874, this historic trail was used by early settlers to haul products to the booming mining towns. The trail winds through the rugged and dramatic high desert canyons of the Gila and Turtle Mountains. The route promises prehistoric cliff dwellings, remnants of early homesteads, majestic rock outcroppings, and sweeping views. On Saturday, we will camp at Bonita Creek, a beautiful riparian area rich in wildlife. On Sunday, we will climb up Bellmare Saddle before dropping down to Eagle Creek gorge and heading home.