DatesOct 12th - Oct 18th 2008 Service ProjectTrail Maintenance Free DaysDayhiking, photography AccommodationsBackpack camping Trip RatingStrenuous : 9 mile backpack, clearing trail, improving tread LeadersLee Cooper Equipment |
The Sonoran Desert is the world's lushest desert. Its Saguaro National Park contains one of the most diverse assortments of plants in the entire southwestern United States with more than 900 native species. Saguaro National Park is one of the best bird watching spots in the southwestern United States; over 200 species are found here. The area in and around Saguaro National Park offers one of the most spectacular flower displays of any desert area in the country. The Rincon Mountain Wilderness is a sky island rising above the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. In contrast to the forest of giant cactus at the park's lower elevations, traveling up into the Rincon Mountains takes hikers through habitat for numerous plants, insects, birds, and mammals not found in the lower desert. We'll backpack about nine miles from 3,500 feet to 8,000 feet at Manning Camp, a work facility for the park. There is a nearby swimming hole, a wonderful place to watch the sunsets, aspen groves and peregrine falcons. Our work project is trail maintenance on the Mica and Fire Loop Trails. This will involve treadwork and installing stone water bars. On our free day, we can hike to a nearby peak, or explore granite canyons. Tucson is the nearest town; it's approximately 30 minutes from the airport to the trailhead.
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