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Spend a Weekend in Leopold Country: August 19-22, 2004

Enjoy an educational extended weekend in one of the most wild and remote places in Arizona - the Blue Range Primitive Area, home of the recently introduced Mexican gray wolf and favorite wilderness haunt of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold.

Exciting, educational activities include:

Hiking... through the wilderness of the Blue Range Primitive Area, Black River, and Escudilla Mountain with Don Hoffman, former Blue Range Primitive Area wilderness ranger and current Executive Director of the Arizona Wilderness Coalition.

Learning... first-hand about fire ecology in the wilderness, the progress of the reintroduced Mexican gray wolf, and "thinking like a mountain" in Aldo Leopold's stomping grounds.

Sleeping... inside a guest cabin or vintage trailer (space limited), or camping on the surrounding grounds of Don's home, south of Alpine on the Blue River.

Accomodations: For travelers coming from Tucson, free transportation is available (see below). You’ll arrive on Thursday afternoon in time to set up camp and enjoy our first group dinner together. There is limited indoor sleeping space for those that prefer not to camp out (available on a first serve basis). An on-demand water heater will provide unlimited hot water for showers for everyone.

Meals: All meals will be provided through Sunday’s lunch. All dinners will include a choice of a vegetarian entrée. Hot breakfasts and sack lunches will also be provided each day.

Must Haves: Don and Janie’s property is located about 10 miles south of Alpine at an elevation of about 6,500 feet. With the monsoon season this time of year, waterproof tents and raincoats are a must. If you plan to camp, please bring your own tents and sleeping bags. Water shoes and hiking poles are needed for slippery hikes.

Schedule

Friday's Educational Topic and Activities: We will drive past Hannagan Meadow to a trailhead at 9,000 feet to hike through the upper reaches of the Grant Creek watershed that burned during the Steeple Fire in 2003. We will discuss the importance of fire to maintaining natural wildland ecosystems, and we will observe the temporary impacts of fire and the signs of recovery. We will also discuss the importance of wilderness as places where life continues to evolve under the influence of natural processes. The hike will be about 5 miles in length with only moderate changes in elevation. If the group is up for it, we may take a side hike into the main fork of Grant Creek.

Saturday's Educational Topic and Activities: Wolf recovery and Wild and Scenic Rivers.

We will travel to Alpine to meet with a biologist assigned to the wolf recovery team where we will get an up-to-the-minute progress report of the recovery project. Then it’s on to the Black River , where we will hike along the “wild” main stem of the Black River . The Black River is proposed for Wild and Scenic River designation. We will discuss the Wild and Scenic River Act of 1968 and of the importance of “wild”, “scenic” and “recreational” designations to the protection of wildland systems. The scenery along the Black River is remarkable. We are likely to see Osprey fishing in the river. Other wildlife sightings could include deer, elk, bighorn sheep, turkey and wolves. We will hike as long as is comfortable for the group. Elevation changes will be mild to moderate. Water shoes and a hiking stick/pole are recommended for low water crossings that can be slippery.

Sunday's Educational Topic and Activities:

“Thinking like a mountain” at one of Aldo Leopold’s favorite places – Escudilla Mountain Wilderness. We will drive to the Escudilla trailhead and hike to the lookout tower on the third highest mountain in Arizona. The wildflowers and the views will be spectacular. The hike to the top involves about a 1500 foot climb over 3.3 miles. Don would be proud to read some of his favorite Leopold passages along the hike. Just try to stop him! The view from the tower is breathtaking.

Cost:

Cost is $379, including a $100 tax deductible donation to Arizona Wilderness Coalition.

If you are traveling from Tucson, free transportation is available. Other travelers will meet everyone at Don and Janie's house on the Blue River.

For more information and to register, contact
Rochelle Gerratt of Nature Treks and Passages, based in Tucson, at 520-696-2002, or
info@naturetreks.net.