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	What does Carpool mean?

OKTOBERFEST &/OR HIKE - Pine
Date:	Sat &/or Sun, Oct 6 - 7
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	7.2 miles
Rating:	Moderate minus
Elv. Change:
Meet at:	See below
Carpool:
Note:	Please contact the hike leader by October 1st if participating in either or both of these events.
Updates:
We will be heading up to the Rim Country to experience Oktoberfest at its finest, by celebrating it at the Rimside Grill in Pine. On Saturday, at Oktoberfest, there will be volleyball, German food and German beer, stein holding contests, horseshoes, door prizes, a DJ & karaoke all day and a band after 6:00 PM (so pace yourself).  We could start off the day by heading down the road to the Tonto Natural Bridge before the Oktoberfest.  After Oktoberfest and after camping nearby on Saturday night, we will head up onto the Mogollon Rim on Sunday morning to start our hike - the Pine Canyon Trail, which will be substantially, but not entirely, downhill.  The trail starts out by switch-backing off of the Mogollon Rim down to Pine Creek.  It then meanders along Pine Creek for a few miles before climbing some to contour around Camp Lo Mia and then on to the Pine Trailhead.  There is a possibility that we may hike a slightly different trail, but the difficulty level will not change much if we do. If you are NOT attending the Oktoberfest, but plan on doing the HIKE, please meet to carpool at McDonalds' parking lot; located on Shea Blvd., just west of the Beeline Hwy. (SR87) at 7AM.on Sunday.  Be certain to confirm before October 1st with the hike leader, ESPECIALLY if meeting at Mickey D's.  We will reconvene at the PINE TRAILHEAD parking lot at 9AM on Sunday before starting the hike.  If you would like to attend but are 'camping averse', there are lodging options in Pine & Strawberry. (Contact the hike leader for a list).

LOS BURROS LOOP CAR CAMP - McNary
Date:	Sat - Sun, Oct 13 -14
Leader:	Randy Baker
Phone:	602-616-9491
Length:	17 miles
Rating:	Moderate minus
Elv. Change:	+/- 500'
Meet at:	TBA
Carpool:	TBA
Note:
Updates:
Located north of McNary, this trail loop passes through a mixed conifer forest containing varieties of spruce, pine, and fir as well as aspen and oak. We will base our operations at the Los Burros campground, once the site of the Los Burros Ranger Station. On Saturday we will head south, winding through 8 miles of aspen groves and stands of old growth ponderosa pines with a carpet of knee high ferns, before returning to our camp. On Sunday, we will take the northern 9 mile section of the loop, passing up and around Wishbone Mountain. This section of trail is particularly beautiful, with elk and mule deer commonly sighted along with an occasional black bear. An additional 1.6 mile side trip is possible up to Lake Mountain Lookout for a wonderful view of the area. The tower is usually staffed, and visitors are welcome.

THIRD ANNUAL FRIENDS HIKING CLUB PICNIC - Hanger Park, Tempe
Date:	Sat, Oct 20
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	N/A
Rating:	Piece-o-cake (literally!)
Elv. Change:
Meet at:	See below
Carpool:
Note:	10:30AM to....
Updates:
The food and drink are being paid for by your surplus Club funds, so there will be no charge at the event.  We will have volleyball & horseshoes as well as brats, burgers, salads & dessert – beer, soft drinks and water will be provided as well.  We will also have door prizes and party favors.  All current or prospective members, their families and friends are welcome; BUT, you must RSVP to Kurt by October 10th with a head-count if you and yours would like to be included. Bring a blanket, chair and such….. as well as a few “warmies” if you plan to stay for the campfire.  Directions to the park will be provided when you RSVP.

REAVIS RANCH BEGINNER’S BACKPACK - Superstition Mountains
Date:	Fri - Sun, Oct 26 - 28
Leader:	Dave Brunstein
Phone:	480-707-9243
Length:	12.2 miles R/T
Rating:	Easy plus
Elv. Change:	1920'
Meet at:	TBA
Carpool:	TBA
Note:	Contact hike leader to RSVP and to arrange carpooling
Updates:
Friday, we will camp near the creek at Rogers Trough Trailhead.  Saturday, we will start the climb up a beautiful high desert canyon to Reavis Saddle.  Dropping down into the Reavis Ranch Valley; we will walk alongside a beautiful seasonal creek in an oak and ponderosa forest.  Reavis Ranch has water and an apple orchard.  There will also be a group heading up early Saturday morning.  Side trips to the cliff dwellings and Circle Stone will be optional.

COCHISE STRONGHOLD DAYHIKE & CAR CAMP - Southeast Arizona
Date:	Sat - Sun, Nov 10 - 11
Leader:	Rich Flammang
Phone:	623-878-6237
Length:	6 miles
Rating:	Moderate
Elv. Change:	+/- 1000'
Meet at:	MEET in the I-Hop parking lot, NE corner of 50th St & Ray Rd, west of I-10, 7:00 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
Depart Phoenix Saturday morning; we will secure campsites before beginning the hike around mid-day.  Named for the Chiricahua Apache chief, Cochise Stronghold is an alluring and mysterious place. Located on the eastern slopes of the Dragoon Mountains, the Stronghold campground is also the beginning of Cochise Trail, a 6 mile (there and back) journey through salmon tinted granite domes and rock wilderness. We will hike this trail past Cochise springs, upward to Halfmoon tank and into Stronghold Canyon until we reach Stronghold Divide, our turnaround point.  We plan to camp Saturday evening at the Stronghold campground before returning to Phoenix on Sunday.

CHARLEBOIS SPRING BACKPACK - Superstition Mountains
Date:	Sat - Sun, Nov 17 - 18
Leader:	Dave Brunstein
Phone:	480-707-9243
Length:	18 miles R/T
Rating:	Moderate
Elv. Change:	+/- 2500'
Meet at:
Carpool:	Contact hike leader to RSVP and to arrange carpooling
Note:
Updates:
This is a great introduction to the Supes! Starting at the First Water Trailhead, we will follow the Dutchman’s Trail up and over Parker Pass before passing by Weaver’s Needle.  Continuing on, we will climb Bull Pass and drop into La Barge Canyon. Saturday evening’s camp will be at Charlebois Spring. We will follow the Calvary, Boulder Canyon, and Second Water Trails back on Sunday. Numerous side trips available for the adventurous.

ALTA / BAJADA LOOP - South Mountain Park
Date:	Sat, Dec 1
Leader:	Randy Baker
Phone:	602-616-9491
Length:	9 +/- miles
Rating:	Moderate plus
Elv. Change:	+/- 1200'
Meet at:	South Mtn Park entrance, 10919 S. Central Ave, at 7:30 AM
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:
If you like hiking in the Phoenix South Mountains, but hate the crowds, this hike is for you. Starting at the little used far western end of South Mountain Park, we will head west on the Alta Trail, climbing 1200 feet up the ridgeline along Maricopa Peak. Great views overlooking Phoenix, grand vistas, and many steep drop-offs are on this well maintained trail. The Alta Trail then descends on a series of switchbacks to the bottom of the range. From there we will hike in virtual isolation west through the San Juan Valley on the Bajada Trail back to our shuttle vehicles. Afterwards, for those interested, we barbeque at the San Juan Lookout’s ramada, so bring something to grill and drink.

WILLOW SPRINGS BACKPACK – Superstition Mountains
Date:	Sat - Sun, Dec 8 - 9
Leader:	Kurt Sedler
Phone:	602-339-8780
Length:	17 mile loop
Rating:	Moderate
Elv. Change:
Meet at:	TBA
Carpool:	TBA
Note:	Please RSVP to the hike leader by November 30th
Updates:
This lollipop loop will take us to Willow Springs, Adolph Ruth’s seldom-visited, old miner’s camp in the Sups. Willow Springs is a perennial spring, and has a beautiful waterfall nearby. Starting from the First Water Trailhead we will head to Parker Pass and then dropping down into O’Grady Canyon, over Tim’s Saddle and into West Boulder Creek where we will make out way upstream to Willow Springs. After our visit to Willow Springs, and stocking up on water, we will head down-canyon to Aylor’s Caballo Camp for the evening, then hiking out either the Dutchman or Black Mesa Trail back to First Water Trailhead.

GO JOHN AND OVERTON TRAILS - Cave Creek Recreational Park
Date:	Sat, Dec 15
Leader:	Regina Miskewitz   Mona Morstein Corinne Wiltsie Kathy Jenkins
Phone:	602-448-0684 480-634-6755 480-357-8954 or 480-782-3560                      602-410-2235
Length:	~ 6.0 miles [both Trails]. 4.8 for Go John only
Rating:	Moderate minus
Elv. Change:	300'
Meet at:	Denny’s parking lot, SW corner of I-17 and Bell Road, 7:30 AM OR at the trailhead at 8:00 AM
Carpool:
Note:	Contact one of the leaders by Friday 12/14 if planning to join us.
Updates:
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. We have the option of doing both the Go John and the Overlook Trails that can be done together as a counter-clockwise loop trail.   This interesting desert hike allows us “city-sightings” along with achieving a “civilization is lost” feel as we head west.  We will enjoy rolling terrain. Take a break from the holiday preparation madness and come enjoy this close-in morning hike. Bring a snack and plenty of water. NOTE: The Recreation Area charges $3.00 per car.

FRIENDS CHRISTMAS PARTY - Metzger Residence
Date:	Sat, Dec 15
Leader:	Bob & Merrily Metzger
Phone:	480-820-7123
Length:
Rating:	Holiday Fun
Elv. Change:
Meet at:
Carpool:
Note:	Please e-mail Merrily to RSVP and for directions to the party
Updates:
Please join the Friends for holiday fun and festivities. Bring a dish to share, a funny wrapped gift...as in something  that is White Elephant, ugly, hilarious, outrageous (per person), BYOB, and the ugliest Christmas decoration you can find/make…yes there is an Ugly Ornament contest. Good food, good music, and good times. Be extra good because Santa will be there with his list of who is naughty and nice. Who knows, Proud Mary might be there!!!!

WIND CAVE NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA  - Usery Mtn Recreation Area
Date:	Mon, Dec 31
Leader:	Randy Baker
Phone:	602-616-9491
Length:	3.2 miles
Rating:	Easy
Elv. Change:	800'
Meet at:	Usery Mtn Recreation Park campground
Carpool:
Note:
Updates:	IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to park restrictions, trails at Usery Park are closed after dark. The start time for the Wind Cave Trail hike has been moved to 4:30 pm.
Bring in the New Year of 2008 in style! We will once again camp at the Usery Mtn Recreation Area campground and safely party under the stars while waiting for the midnight hour. As the witching hour approaches, for those interested, we will ascend the Wind Cave Trail for 1.6 miles to the cliffs that line the summit of Pass Mountain. Once there we will watch the panorama of fireworks explode across the valley below. The following day we will be ready for the annual Pass Mountain Hike & BBQ.

PASS MONTAIN TRAIL & BBQ - Usery Mtn Recreation Area
Date:	Tues, Jan  1
Leader:	Becky Keck
Phone:	480-967-3836
Length:	7.2 mile loop
Rating:	Moderate minus
Elv. Change:
Meet at:	East side of the Basha's/I-Hop parking lot, located on the SW corner of Higley and Brown in East Mesa, 9:00 AM
Carpool:
Note:	There is a $6 park entrance fee per vehicle.
Updates:
The trail is a pleasant loop around the parameter 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 2008 off by putting our best “boot” forward.

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