Photo: Charlie Schulz Southwest Desert Spring Service, Tuscon Mountain
Park, Arizona Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09414A Price: $ 495 Deposit: $50 Capacity: 15 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Charlie Schulz The Sonoran Desert touches both sides of the Gulf of California, and, at its northern limit, spills into southern Arizona. Here, evidence of human occupation dates to 11,000 BCE, and includes artifacts identified with the Hohokam hunters and farmers (700-1300 CE). The area’s early inhabitants built canals and terraces for growing corn, beans, and squash; and created rock art featuring spirals, birds, snakes, lizards, turtles, and human figures. At 3,000 feet in elevation -- above the worst of the desert heat -- the Tucson Basin has always been an agreeable place to stop, rest, and refuel. It rains in both summer and winter, so plants are abundant and diverse. In 1776, following the missionaries of the preceding century, Spanish soldiers built the Presidio of San Agustin del Tucson on the western bank of the Santa Cruz River. Not surprisingly, Spanish culture has strongly influenced the area's language and legends, dining and hospitality, and art and architecture. ?The remarkable desert cactus has been a constant presence across the centuries. Of these hardy plants, the most remarkable is the saguaro. Growing from seeds about the size of a typed period, it may need five years to grow one inch, but it may live for 200 years and eventually reach 50 feet in height. The Project  Photo: Charlie Schulz
 Photo: Charlie Schulz The group will assemble at our base camp approximately 30 minutes west of Tucson no later than 11:00 a.m. on day one. After a brief orientation, we will set up camp and share a picnic lunch. The project orientation with park staff will follow lunch. Evening presentations will touch on local wildlife and the desert skies. The trip ends at noon on the last day. Getting There You are responsible for your transportation, the cost of which is not included in the price of the trip. Commercial flights and car rentals are available in Tucson. The exact meeting location and directions will be provided to registered participants. Carpooling is strongly recommended. As soon as a complete list of participants is available, the leader will forward available information to all trip members to facilitate transportation planning.
The first meal will be a picnic lunch on day one, and the last will
be breakfast on our final day. The trip staff prepares menus, and every effort
is taken to avoid foods to which participants are allergic. Reasonable requests
for dietary needs -- especially food allergies -- should be noted on the questionnaire
sent to you. Meal preparation will be directed by staff and assisted by trip
members. All trip members can plan on one full day of commissary chores. Mealtimes
and daily commissary assignments will be posted and announced.
Although you will not be expected to do anything beyond your personal limits, this trip will be strenuous. Be in good shape and prepared for lots of work and fun. Expect varying terrains and some unstable footing. The need to accomplish a goal does not preclude doing so safely and in an orderly manner. All of us will work at our own pace. At the end of each day, you will be at your leisure to tour the immediate area or just rest your tired muscles. There will also be an opportunity to do some hiking in the area. All participants must have a current tetanus shot.
You’ll need a basic first-aid kit containing moleskin, bandages, sunscreen,
and lip balm; at least three one-quart or one-liter water bottles; cactus-resistant
long pants, gloves, and hat; a comb to pull thorns out; clothes easily layered
to cope with Arizona’s changeable conditions (temperatures in southern
Arizona in March can range from 30-90 degrees) and boots that are comfortable,
and broken-in. While we hope for warm, clear days, rain and even snow are always
possibilities, so bring three-season gear. You may elect to bring a solar shower
to take off the worst of the day in our shower tent. The park service will
provide all needed tools. Upon request, the leader can provide a more detailed
equipment list after sign-up.
Conservation The Sonoran Desert is home to the most recognizable cactus in the world, the majestic saguaro. Visitors are fascinated and enchanted by these desert giants, especially their many interesting and complex interrelationships with other desert life. Saguaro cacti provide their sweet fruits to hungry desert animals. They also provide homes to a variety of birds, such as the Harris’ hawk, Gila woodpecker and the tiny elf owl. Yet, the saguaro requires other desert plants for its very survival. During the first few years of a very long life, a young saguaro needs the shade and protection of a nurse plant such as the palo verde tree. With an average life span of 150 years, a mature saguaro may grow to a height of 50 feet and weigh over 10 tons. Maintained trails and pathways allow park visitors to move out into the desert to see the various cacti and animals of the desert while at the same time leading them out and away from critical habitat areas.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Susan Signaigo is an active member of the Sierra Club in the Bay Area. She
spends a lot of her time hiking and backpacking in the Sierras, and leading and
co-leading
service trips in the West. She is also interested in whitewater, and guides trips
on the South Fork of the American River. Susan is a registered nurse with critical
care training. Assistant Leader Charlie Schulz has lived in the southwest for over 40 years and has hiked extensively
in Arizona, Europe and Mexico. He has participated in numerous Sierra Club
service trips in the Southwest. E-mail: crs1944@cox.net General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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