This will be a backpacking trip to assess some springs in the Chiricahua Wilderness.
SIA has taken on a project to help the Coronado National Forest inventory and assess water resources in the Galiuro, Miller Peak, Rincon, Chiricahua, Mt. Wrightson, Pajarita, and Santa Teresa Wilderness Areas. This weekend, we will be working to assess springs and other water resources in the Chiricahua Wilderness.
For these assessments, no special skills are necessary, but we are looking for strong hikers, and tracking skills, plant identification skills, invertebrate identification skills can be helpful. Prior spring assessment training or experience is preferred, but not required.
Trip Leader: Sami
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
12:00pm Meet at SIA and pack up. Caravan/carpool out to Portal. Backpack up to Maple Camp in the South Fork of Cave Creek.
Day 2
Dayhike up to a spring and assess it.
Day 3
Dayhike up to another spring, assess it, go back to camp, pack up and head out, and drive home.
We will be camping at ~6000′ elevation. The hiking should be between 5000-9000′. We will have some longer hikes on trails in poor condition, along with a bit off off trail hiking.
Gear: Bring your usual gear for backpacking, including raingear! Closed toed shoes are required for working on the forest, and long sleeves and pants are recommended. If you need to carry an EpiPen, please bring it.
Springs gear: Make sure to save some room in your pack for some springs gear that SIA will provide (1-2 liters of space).
Questions: Email sami@skyislandalliance.org (or call me 624 7080 x16)
Vehicles: We will bring the 4WD SIA truck that can carry 3 additional people total. We will need another volunteer to drive their vehicle (2WD is fine).
