News

Bighorn News and Update

Posted - Charles Miles

THE BIGHORN’S DILEMMA BY MELISSA L. SEVIGNY – This is a VERY interesting article with a bit of insight into the advisory board that Arizona Game and Fish created for this project. In addition to recounting many details of the project the article emphasizes the importance of the diverse groups represented on the advisory board working together and presents a hopeful message that this cooperation will be a model for future projects. With any complex project it is nearly impossible to write an article that represents all view points – for me the missing/under-reported piece of the puzzle is the communication/collaboration with the public. Perhaps it is fair to say that the public component is not the main thrust of this piece… But for me – a member of the public with no ‘insider’ access or information to AZGF or any of the advisory board groups – this is critically important when talking about collaboration/cooperation and from my point of view declaring this project – with the closed meetings and decisions to limit information distribution to the public – a successful model is disappointing perhaps even cause for concern.

 

Project status update for 5/26 to 6/8 (all updates are currently available here) – there are several very interesting maps included in this update showing some of the Bighorn population in the southern section of the Santa Catalina Mountains overlapping a number of popular trails – this seems like exciting news for hikers who may have a chance to see the sheep. Note that the document continues to mention the trail restrictions – which are designed to help protect the sheep during the lambing season, but are no longer in effect.

Plans on track to reintroduce 30 more Bighorn sheep, no deaths reported in two months – Explorer News – An article about the possible next planned release.

News – Accident, Rescue…

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

Possible rollover accident on Mt. Lemmon Highway – KGUN9 – auto accident at the base of the mountain.

Dry Conditions Trigger Increased Fire Restrictions in Southeastern Arizona – two highlights for hikers (more details in the link): ‘Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites’ is prohibited, ‘Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters possessing shut-off devices are allowed. When using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels’.

Heat-exhausted hikers rescued from Catalina State Park – KGUN9.

Mother, 3 children rescued on Mount Lemmon – Arizona Daily Star, Mother and Children Rescued on Mount Lemmon – Pima County Sheriffs Department – A rescue on the Brush Corral Trail.

Chemical spill on Catalina Highway – Arizona Daily Star – Muriatic acid was reported as the chemical involved, located at the intersection of Houghton Road and the Catalina Highway.

Mt. Lemmon Sky Ride – Explorer News – “The Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley ski lift is open as a Sky Ride, Thursdays through Mondays, during the summer. The Sky Ride to the summit and back takes about one hour, and travels from 8,200 feet in elevation to 9,100 feet in elevation.”

News – Catalina State Park Concert Series, Steam Pump

Posted - Charles Miles
First Saturdays Concert Series – Catalina State Park – The First Saturdays Concert Series: “On the First Saturday of the month enjoy an evening concert at the Trailhead with standard park admission. Bring a chair, and your own food and water to enjoy these concerts!” Sponsored by the Friends of Catalina State Park there are seven concerts starting on June 7 and running thru December 6. Oro Valley Council approves $107 million budget 4-3, Explorer News – The budget discussion in this article includes some notes about budget for the Steam Pump Ranch.

National Trail Days work at Upper Green Mountain, News

Posted - Charles Miles

On National Trails Day – Saturday, June 7, 2014 – from 8am to 12pm “The Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District along with REI and the Arizona Conservation Corps will be hosting a volunteer event Saturday, June, 7 in celebration of National Trails Day. Come join us as we work on brushing, trash clean up, trail restoration, and erosion control on our local hiking and mountain biking trails. Snacks, water and lunch will be provided!” – to get all the details see this page on the American Hiking Society Website. The Upper Green Mountain Trailhead is located just before San Pedro Vista 17.2 miles up the mountain on the up-mountain side of the highway providing easy access to both the Green Mountain Trail and the Incinerator Ridge Trail – both part of the Arizona Trail Wilderness Bypass!

2014/5/19 – Shooters litter national forest land by Catalina Highway – an article about a well known shooting destination just off the highway up the mountain – the site had been cleaned up and boulders/dirt added to discourage access but the site continues to be used and this article reports that trash is already a problem again. While Coronado National Forest officials have indicated shooting here is legal it seems like it might not be appropriate.

Mt Lemmon prepares for wildfire season, fire department worries about campers, Obey fire restrictions, avoid hefty fines – Several articles discussing and re-iterating the fire danger this season.

5/11/2014 Bighorn Reintroduction Project Update and News

Posted - Charles Miles

Bighorn Reintroduction status update for April 28 – May 11, 2014 (all updates are currently available here) – no mortalities this period and the first update that I have seen that has almost no noteworthy content. The one exception may be the statement that “As the lambing season draws to a close it is encouraging to note that the survivability of the known lambs has exceeded expectations”. The yearly prohibition on travel more than 400 feet off of established trails in the Bighorn Sheep Management Area ended April 30.

On 5/1 Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were announced in the Coronado National Forest – including the Santa Catalina Mountains. This seems to happen at some point every year – read the entire document for all the details – the highlights for backpackers –

  • Prohibited: “Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove” is prohibited
  • Allowed: “LPG-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices which meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety and can be tlll’ned on/off are a llowed so long as u sed in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materia ls within 3 feet of the device.”

Coronado National Forest to host workshop May 17 regarding draft land management plan and recommended wilderness – “Interested parties are invited to share ideas with personnel from the Coronado on specific areas under consideration for recommendation for wilderness designation.” None of the areas under consideration are adjacent to the Santa Catalina Mountains but this is an important topic for the Coronado National Forest. The Coronado National Forest – Forest Plan Revision page is a good source for information. A Mountain Project thread about the potential inclusion of popular climbining areas in the Dragoon Potential Wilderness Area.

5/10 – Peppersauce Cave offers “wild” exploration: A short report on/introduction to Peppersauce Cave.

5/13 – The SARA Facebook Page reports that “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department requested SARA’s services to assist a lost/injured hiker Monday night at 21:30. The hiker was located at approximately 0100 this morning, high up in Pima Canyon between Pima Spring and Pima Saddle and is currently being escorted out by a team of four. They’re expected out of the field sometime after 8am this morning. A very long night for our volunteers. Good job as always guys and girls!”