Arizona - The Living Desert

March 3 - 10, 2009

Spring comes early to the Sonora Desert. Wildflowers and cacti bloom with an intensity of colour that defies description. We will sample the desert in all its variety walking through groves of Saguaro, visiting the world famous Desert Museum, marveling at Chiricahua National Monument and hiking in Madera Canyon. We hike moderate distances every day and visit Katchner Caverns, a photogenic mission and hike the Phone Line Trail in Sabino Canyon. This trip demonstrates the life giving impact of water on plants, animals and man and how they have all adjusted to water scarcity.

Day 1 – Arrival in Tucson Participants arrive at various times and make their way to our hotel. We meet by the pool at 7:00 PM to discuss the week ahead.

Day 2 – East Saguaro National Park Arizona can be hot in March so we start with an acclimatization hike from the Broadway trail head along the Cactus Forest Trail. Bring cameras as we will walk among several different types of cacti including the towering Saguaro and several of the Cholla family. At this time of year we should see flowering displays by the Ocotillo cactus (red) the blossoms of the paloverde trees (yellow) and the prickly pear cactus (peach).

Day 3 – Sonora Desert Museum and West Saguaro National Park We will spend most of the day in the fabulous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This is recognized as one of the top ten zoos/botanical gardens in the world. Be sure to walk the Desert Loop Trail, visit the walk-in aviary and attend some of the excellent presentations on desert birds and reptiles. If we still have the energy in the afternoon, we might hike the nearby Cactus Wren Trail.

Day 4 – Madera Canyon and the San Xavier del Bac Mission We start with a moderate loop in Madera Canyon - up the Super Trail to Josephine Saddle and return down the Old Baldy trail. Total distance 10 kilometers with a gentle elevation gain of 500 meters. On the way home we visit a mission once described as “the most beautiful man-made object in the American deserts.”

Day 5 – Kartchner Caverns and Chiricahua National Monument Off to Benson AZ and a guided tour of the Kartchner Caverns a stunning limestone cave that boasts many world class features. We then drive to the incredible Chiricahua National Monument and hike the Echo Canyon Trail. Total distance 5 kilometers, elevation gain 141 meters. Hotel in the little town of Willcox.

Day 6 – Chiricahua National Monument We return to Chiricahua and hike among the sculptured rocks on trails like Ed Riggs, Inspiration Point, Heart of Rocks Loop, and finally the Rhyolite Canyon Trail back to the visitors centre. Total distance 12.6 kilometers elevation gain 186 meters. This is a hike you will remember for a long time. Back to Willcox for the night.

Day 7 – Tucson and Sabino Canyon We drive back to the Tucson area and visit Sabino Canyon, an oasis in the middle of the Santa Catalina mountains. We will take the shuttle bus to the trail head then stretch our legs for the last time on the moderate Phone Line Trail then bid au revoir to Arizona in all its variety. Note: The Phone Line Trail was damaged by flooding in 2007 but should be available in 2009.

Day 8 - Participants disperse some to join the Copper Canyon trip

Land cost for this trip is $1,398 from Tucson. This covers van transportation, park fees, the fully guided program, accommodation in good hotels (double occupancy). All breakfasts and one dinner.

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the above program, changes may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances

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