Tumacácori National Historical Park, one of the many NPS units offering free admission during National Parks Week. Photo Courtesy: Flickr User Ken Lund (CC License)

Despite the fact that it’s been feeling suspiciously like summer in Tucson the past few days, it is in fact, spring.  And one not-to-be-missed spring tradition is in full swing: National Parks Week.  From April 21st through the 29th, admission to all 397 National Park Service units (parks, monuments, preserves, historic sites, etc.) across the U.S. is free.

In Southern Arizona, we’re lucky to have our pick of incredible and diverse sites like Saguaro National Park, Chiricahua National Monument, Tumacácori National Historical Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Drive for a couple more hours, and the possibilities include Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, and the Grand Canyon.

The Park Service captures the point of the week–and our National Park System–beautifully:

Looking for something fun, free, and fantastic to do with family and friends? Head out to America’s national parks where millions of stars light up the dark night sky, deer and antelope (and a few other critters!) play on the wide open range, and history is an unbelievable experience, not an exam.

The forecast calls for a slight dip in temperatures, with highs in the 80′s Thursday, Friday, and this weekend. So slather on that sunblock, load up those water bottles, and go see some of Arizona’s natural and cultural heritage. Many of the units are also celebrating with special programming and discounts. To help plan your trip, check out the National Parks Foundation map of parks in Arizona and the Park Service’s searchable events calendar.

If you’ve got kids, whet their appetite for exploration by enrolling them in the Junior Ranger Program. Several Arizona parks participate, and Saturday the 28th is National Junior Ranger Day. There’s no better time to get started.

Happy trails, and Happy National Parks Week!

Talk Back: What’s your all-time favorite National Park, and what do you love about it?

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Yesterday morning I had the rare opportunity to go hiking with a couple dozen scientists. A mix of natural and social scientists, the group included botanists, ecologists, geologist, linguists, geographers, archeologists, and experts from many other disciplines.

The common thread among them was the geographical focus of their research: the Sonoran Desert. That, and the invitation each had received to attend the Next Generation Sonoran Desert Researchers Workshop.

Participants in the Next Generation Sonoran Desert Researchers Workshop hike King's Canyon Trail in Saguaro National Park.

The organizers conceived of the NextGen “unconference” at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum as a way to bring together young researchers who share a common interest but often don’t have a chance to interact because they’re separated by a language barrier, an international border, or the traditional lines of their disciplines. Per unconference tradition, the bilingual workshop sessions were proposed and selected on-the-spot by participants. They ranged from urban ecology to cross-border conservation to the connections between language, culture, and the environment.

On day two of three, participants headed out on the Kings Canyon Trail, the most direct route to Wasson Peak. And that’s where I found myself walking and talking, in English and extremely rusty Spanish, to a gaggle of very enthusiastic researchers (forgive me, ornithologists, for my loose use of the term gaggle). As a science writer and a science major in my undergrad days, I’ve spent a lot of time with scientists in the field. But I have never quite been on a hike like this.

Pink, yellow, red. The spring blooms, like these cholla flowers, were on full display.

We never reached Wasson Peak–never even came close. I forgot to even look up at the peak until it was about time to turn back. Instead we were focused on things much closer in. The newly opened blooms on the cholla, and saguaro blossoms poised to follow suit. The layers of upturned rock cutting across the path beneath our feet. The swarm of tiny blue butterflies on the damp spot in the sand. And the stunning rock art on the canyon walls.

I was urged by a linguist who studies the Papgo language to practice my Spanish (and in turn to force him to practice his English).

Saguaro flowers mean it's spring in the Sonoran Desert.

I learned that bufflegrass (Pennisetum ciliare)–that dreaded and maligned invasive species in Arizona–continues to be purposefully planted in Texas and Sonora.

I listened as a geologist explained to a botanist what clues a hypothetical gold prospector might look for in the rocks before beginning any sampling or exploration.

I was regaled with stories of Palma de la Virgen (palm of the Virgin, or Dioon edule to botanists)–a beautiful and once prolific plant that fed the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago and continues to grow in pockets in Sonora.

In short, I had my love for natural and cultural history reawakened. I was reminded that every species has a story, and in the desert, many of those stories are dramatic and fascinating.

In fact, that hike has inspired me to try out an idea I have been tossing around for a while: I’m launching a new series on Tucson Outdoors called Desert Denizens. Each post will look more closely at the natural history of a critter that calls the Sonoran Desert home.

I hope I can do their stories justice. After being a fly on the wall at the NextGen Sonoran Desert conference, I’ve certainly got a lot of ideas about where to to start.

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Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

This past weekend, we set out to take Tobie on her first real hike. We headed to Coronado National Forest’s Molino Basin in the Catalina Mountains. Like a lot of Forest Service land, this area is open to (leashed) dogs, but always be sure to check the regulations before bringing a four-legged friend.

Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

We parked in the main lot for Molino Basin (elevation ~4,300 feet) and hopped onto the Bellota Trail (#15), which immediately crosses Catalina Highway and heads up the canyon  (note: some Forest Service publications list Bellota as trail #16). The signage in the parking lot isn’t great, and it’s easy to end up wandering the paths between the campgrounds looking for the trail. If all else fails, head for the crosswalk and pick up the trail on the other side of the highway.

Bellota is part of the Arizona Trail, which runs from the Mexico boarder to Utah.

It offers a nice mix of cactus, agave, trees, and grassland.

Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

And since it runs up the canyon, it starts out shady and cool in the morning (though parts of the trail are exposed, so as always bring plenty of water, sunblock, etc.).

Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

Springs run along parts of the trail, and wildflowers, like this desert primrose,  peek out here and there.

Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

Tobie approved. And so did we. With nice views, a diversity of flora, and shade in the canyon, Bellota is a great trail for a short spring hike–especially if you have a furry hiking buddy who tends to heat up quickly.

Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

We didn’t want to push Tobie too hard on her first hike, so we doubled back after about a mile and half. But the trail continues 4.7 miles to Bellota Ranch Road (#36) or 6.7 miles to Redington Road (#371).

The weather is supposed to be nice all week, so get out on the trail and enjoy it!

Getting There:  From Tucson, take Grant Road east until it turns southward and becomes Kolb Road.  At that bend, turn left onto Tanque Verde Road. Follow it about 3.5 miles, watching for signs for Catalina Highway. Turn left onto Catalina Highway (aka Mount Lemmon Highway and General Hitchcock Highway). Follow it as it starts winding up into the Catalinas. Turn left into the main parking lot for Molino Basin (day use area and campgrounds). As with the rest of the forest, there is a use fee of $5 per day or $10 for a week (free if you’ve got an annual public lands pass). There is a self-pay box, along with restrooms and a picnic area, in the parking lot.

Watch For:  The sudden urge to hike the whole Arizona Trail…

Watch Out For:  There are often lots of cyclists on Catalina Highway, so keep an eye out for them and give them a wide berth when passing.

More Info:  Visit Hike Arizona to view an interactive map of the trail and a GPS profile.

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Tobie, my newest hiking buddy.

Mea culpa.  It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I have a good excuse: I adopted a rescue dog.  I mean, look at that face, can you really blame me for being offline for a while?  Now that she’s getting settled in our home and is nearly done training me, I think it’s time to introduce her to the world.  World, this is Tobie.  She is training up to be a good hiker, and–armed with a fresh copy of Renée Guillory’s Best Hikes with Dogs, Arizona–I’m starting to learn where all the dog-friendly trails are around Tucson (more on that soon).

But today, I actually wanted to give a shout out to one of my favorite blogs, The Goat, which is run by High Country News.  Their content and authors vary widely, but they’ve always got something interesting up, and often the themes relate to the great outdoors and specifically to our western landscapes.

Tobie loves getting her paws (and everything else) dirty.

Over the past week, they’ve run two pieces that I can’t help but share–one dog-related, one not. It’s hump day, so if you’re like me, bemoaning being stuck at your desk instead out on the trail, hopefully these will help fuel enough day dreams to carry you through to the weekend.

In “All Dogs Great and Small,” Marian Lyman Kirst looks at what really makes a good 4-legged outdoor companion.  And in “Into the Big Empty,” Michelle Nijhuis talks to a researcher who’s been studying why some people love wide open spaces (like deserts and prairies) and some find them disconcerting.

Enjoy!

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A view from the Hugh Norris Trail looking out toward the Avra Valley. Image Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

This past weekend, Wasson Peak beckoned. At 4,687 feet, Wasson is the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains and a great vantage point to peer out over Saguaro National Park West, Tucson Mountain Park, and the Avra Valley.  There are several trails that will get you there, but for some reason we chose the longest: The Hugh Norris Trail.

By the time we reached the trailhead, it was noon, so I took my own advice and decided to hike only part of the 9.8-mile round trip.  We met several people along the trail who were doing the same thing, and I have to admit that even that little voice in my head that’s never happy unless we reach the top didn’t mind stopping shy of the peak. Even without summiting, there is plenty to see.

Picture Rock looms in the distance. Photo Courtesy: Christine Hokenga

At the first crest in the trail, there’s a nice spot for a picnic. Take a well-worn spur trail to the right toward a granite outcrop that offers a nice spot for lunch with a view. Keep going along the ridge line after lunch, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the saguaro forest, Picture Rock, and the valleys and bajadas below. We turned around about 3.5 miles in and headed back down to beat the sinking sun (the loop drive that leads to the trailhead closes at sunset), but if you continue on, you’ll reach Amole Peak at 4.1 miles in and Wasson at 4.9 miles.  Another day…

If you climb the Hugh Norris Trail to Wasson Peak in Saguaro National Park West, expect to climb stairs most of the way. Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

The important thing to know about the Hugh Norris Trail, which was named for a former  Tohono O’odham Indian police chief, is not that it’s the longest trail in the Tucson Mountain District (though it is). The thing to know before you go is that it’s essentially a staircase. A staircase with nice wide, stone steps that aren’t too tall and are nicely spaced, but stairs all the same. This is can become a significant factor on the way down, especially if you have knee or other joint problems. But if stairs aren’t a problem, it’s a great trail and makes a nice winter hike.

Getting There: Take Speedway west out of Tucson, continuing on Gates Pass Road. Turn right at the T-intersection with Kinney Road and drive past the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. Turn right to stay on Kinney at the intersection with Mile Wide Road, and enter Saguaro National Park. Stop at the Red Hills Visitor Center on the right shortly after you enter the park to pay the entrance fee ($10 per vehicle) or to purchase an annual public lands pass. (There is no way to pay at the trailhead.)

Then, continue 2.5 miles on Kinney, turn right on Hohokam Road (aka Bajada Loop Scenic Drive), and look for two small parking areas just before the road becomes one-way. From mid-town Tucson, getting to the trailhead will take about 30 minutes.

More Info: Download a map and more details about this trail and others in the Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District.

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Happy New Year! Did you resolve to get fit? Be less stressed? Spend more time with loved ones? Work towards your goals by getting outside in 2012. Image courtesy: Flickr User Amani Hasan (CC).

Happy New Year! After a brief hiatus in December, Tucson Outdoors is back and ready for 2012.  A big thank you to all of you, the readers who helped make the blog’s first few months a fledgling success. Thank you for reading, and please let me know what you’d like to see in 2012. Questions and comments are always welcome.

I hope you all had a restful winter break and got a chance to visit with friends and family over the holidays. If you’re anything like me, you probably ate and drank in a little more merriment than usual… But today is a new day–a new year–and an opportunity to turn over that proverbial new leaf [insert groan, sigh, or snort here].

Lets’ face it: resolutions are tough. They start out full of hope and promise but often descend into guilt, shame, and failure as the year progresses. TIME has compiled a list of 10 commonly broken New Year’s resolutions, and to me they read like a familiar inventory of my good intentions over the years. Get fit. Spend more time with family. Be less stressed.

Why is it that we have such a hard time keeping our resolutions? Personally, I think it’s because we make such grand, sweeping promises that they are almost impossible to keep. I’m often guilty of making a dozen small steps in the right direction but not giving myself credit because I haven’t reached my nebulous goal of “fit” of “less stressed.” Feeling like I’m failing is a great anti-motivator–and the vicious cycle begins. We wouldn’t state career goals for the coming year as “be more successful” or “save the world,” so why state our personal goals in such broad strokes? It’s a recipe for failure.

So this year, I suggest something a little different. Instead of a resolution, make a New Year’s strategy. Lay out a series of small–and here’s the most important part–achievable steps you will take in 2012 to make yourself happier and healthier.

Here’s an example for tackling the oft repeated (and abandoned) resolutions of get fit, spend more time with family, and be less stressed. Not surprisingly, this strategy revolves around getting outdoors:

Cover of Tucson Hiking Guide by Betty Leavengood Image Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

1) Get a local hiking book, and select several hikes you plan to complete this year. Choose the number and spacing realistically according to your schedule and commitments.  Think you can reliably get out there once a week? Great. Pick 52 hikes. But if every other week or even once a month is more realistic, start there. You can always go more frequently than you planned, but don’t make your goal so overwhelming you give up early on. And whatever your schedule, make sure you give yourself a “get out of guilt free” card that you can use at some point in the coming year. Things come up, and it’s important that one skipped hike doesn’t derail your plan. There are lots of outdoors guides geared to Southern Arizona, but one I recommend for a strategy of small steps is Betty Leavengood’s classic Tucson Hiking Guide. It’s designed for day-hikers, which means you can find hikes of all lengths and ability levels, allowing you to bring along those family members you want to spend more time with. (If you still have out-of-town visitors, check out this quick guide to places you can take the whole crew.)

An annual federal lands pass is a great deal for people who recreate on public lands regularly. Image Courtesy: National Park Service.

2) Invest in a public lands pass. The America the Beautiful pass, which used to cover just national parks, is now valid at more than 2,000 public recreation areas managed by the National Park Service, the BLM, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service. A regular annual pass is $80, but if you’re getting out on the trail regularly, it quickly pays for itself–and then starts saving you money (mine certainly has). Plus, it saves you the hassle of buying parking and trail passes every time you go out. In areas where fees are paid by the vehicle, display the mirror hang tag, and you’re covered. In per-person fee areas, the pass covers the pass holder and three additional adults. If you’re a senior (62+), a lifetime pass is a screaming deal at $10. For life. Don’t leave home without it.

Having a day pack always ready to go makes it easy to get out on the trail with minimum hassle. Image Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

3) Put together a to-go pack that contains hiking essentials like a first aid kit, sunblock, binoculars, field guides, trail maps, etc. Having these items together and ready to go will make it that much easier to get out the door and on the trail quickly. Just add fresh water and food before each hike, and you’re good to go. If you’re a camper or a paddler or some other kind of outdoor adventurist, you can apply this same strategy to other collections of gear. Store things so they are as ready to go as possible. I was surprised what a difference this made for me. Plus, I’m much less prone to forgetting something important, like sunblock.

4) Share your goal. Write it down (preferably on a calendar that you use for important commitments). Tell your family and friends–and invite them to join you. Putting a goal in writing or saying it out loud can both solidify your commitment to making it happen and garner support and enthusiasm from loved ones. And please share your plans, triumphs, and (temporary) set-backs in the comments here on Tucson Outdoors.

5) Just go. OK, so you scheduled a 5 mile hike for today, but something came up and you have less time than you planned?  Don’t fret. Go for a shorter hike. Do part of the loop and then come back. You’ll still feel invigorated, and you’ll still be working toward your goals.

So even if you’re a serial resolution breaker, there’s hope. 2012 can be the year you look back on as the year you started getting outdoors more often. And the year you kept your resolutions.

Happy New Year and happy trails!

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Outdoors gear makes great holiday gifts, and there are lots of local businesses here in Tucson that can help you get through your shopping list in a flash. Photo Courtesy: MorgueFile User anon

Today is Small Business Saturday–an antidote to the craziness of Black Friday and a day to think outside the big box store. If you’re shopping for the outdoor fiend in your life, Tucson has a lot of great options for shopping locally. Here are just a few of the many local outdoors and active lifestyle businesses worth checking out:

Summit Hut–This locally owned outdoors store was started in 1967 by two 15-year-old Tucsonians who began selling backpacking and mountaineering equipment out of their bedrooms. With extended holiday hours though Christmas Eve and a Holiday Gift Guide chock full of ideas for kids, travelers, day-hikers, backpackers, and fitness fiends, Summit Hut is a great place to start your holiday shopping. Many items featured in the gift guide are 20% off through Dec. 31st, and they’ve got a slew of gifts under $25, plus plenty of small items, like sporks and bandanas, that make great stocking stuffers. Other seasonal promotions include 20% off Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads and accessories through Dec. 7th and Marmot brand jackets through Dec. 28th.  Sign up for their email list, and you’ll get a 10% discount on your next (regularly-priced) online purchase.  Hours and Locations.

Miller’s Surplus–Started in 1951, Miller’s specializes in “hard-core outdoor lifestyle gear,” which includes camping and hunting, survivalism, military surplus, and work wear. They tend to carry more rough-and-ready brands like Coleman, Carhartt, Justin, and Harley Davidson, as well as military issue cammo and gear. If you’re shopping for gifts, be sure you ask about and understand the return policy, especially on surplus items. Download a “stimulus card” for 10% off any purchase of $50 or more through Dec. 31st. Hours and Locations.

BICAS–Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage or BICAS is a “non-profit collectively-run community education and recycling center for bicycles.” They are an “an education center, not a traditional bike shop” and offer training in the trade of bicycle repair, maintenance, and safety. They also restore thousands of bicycles and offer some of them for sale at their shop on 6th Ave. Bikes make great gifts, and refurbished bikes from BICAS make it affordable and green. Most run between $70 and $200, but prices vary, so swing by or call for more information. If you’re looking for something different for the cyclist in your life, check out the 16th Annual BICAS Art Auction and Celebration next weekend (Dec. 3rd and 4th) at The Whistle Stop Depot. It features food, entertainment, and a silent auction of bicycle-themed art to benefit BICAS community programs. Hours and Location. More information about the auction.

ReActivate–New this year to the active lifestyle scene in Tucson, ReActivate specializes in “gently used and quality new athletic wear and gear.” Active wear can get expensive, so buying used gear–or even trading in your own for credit against a new purchase–can help save money on a tight budget and keep perfectly good merchandise out of the waste stream. Carolyn Calssen over at Carolyn’s Community stopped by for a chat with owner Lydia Kennedy about the inspiration for ReActivate earlier this month. Bring your own shopping bag, and they’ll enter you in a raffle for a $10 gift certificate.

If you shop locally, not only can you start checking items off your holiday shopping list, but you can feel good knowing that on average $73 out of every $100 spent at a local business stays in-state, supporting jobs, infrastructure, and other local businesses. (By comparison, only $43 per $100 of purchases made at businesses that are not locally owned stays in state). For more about the impacts of shopping locally and tips on how to make it easy, check out Local First Arizona.

Talk Back: What’s your favorite place to get outdoor gear in Tucson?

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Start a new holiday tradition with your family: get out on the trail together. Photo Courtesy: Flickr User jankgo (Creative Commons)

Ok, you’ve woken up from the turkey coma and exhausted the Black Friday sales, but there are still two more days before the relatives head home.  What to do?  It’s time to get outdoors! The forecast calls for sunshine and highs in the 70′s for the rest of the long weekend, so here are 5 suggestions for nearby outings that are kid-friendly and accessible to people of all ability levels. Whether it’s Grandma’s tenth visit to Tucson or the first time all five of the cousins have had a play date, getting the whole family outside is a great way to work off some of those holiday treats, spend quality time together, and explore the natural beauty of southern Arizona.

1) Sabino Canyon–Pack a picnic and spend the day exploring this popular recreation area in Coronado National Forest ($5 per vehicle for a day pass). Start at the visitor’s center for a quick introduction to Sonoran Desert flora and fauna, and then hit the trails. If you’re group isn’t up for a big hike, but you still want to cover some ground, take one of the open-air shuttles (additional fee) that allow you to hop on and off, hitch a ride to and from a particular trailhead, or just sit back and relax as the scenery goes by. Two shuttles, operated by Sabino Canyon Tours, run daily along the Sabino Canyon Trail and the Bear Canyon Trail. You can call for reservations or purchase tickets at onsite at the booth outside the visitor’s center. Check shuttle hours and fees.

Take out-of-town guests to see Tohono Chul Park in bloom during the day and lit up with hundreds of thousands of lights for Holiday Nights. Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

2) Tohono Chul Park–Just north of Ina and west of Oracle, this hidden gem is a botanical garden extraordinaire. Stroll the grounds to be dazzled by bizarre and beautiful desert plants, many of which are blooming in November (isn’t fall in Tucson grand?). Or take one of the loop trails through the surrounding natural areas. Last weekend, after only a few minutes walking on the half-mile Desert View Trail, my mom and I had seen javelina tracks, a Gambel’s quail, and a couple of large raptors. Make a day of it by visiting the gift shop (great holiday ornaments and unique gifts), the gallery, the greenhouse, and the tea room (serving breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, and high tea). Regular admission to the park is $8 for adults and $2 for children ages 5-12, with senior, military, and student discounts available. Members ($35 to join; $25 for seniors) get in free and receive a 10% discount in the shops. This weekend (Nov. 25th and 26th) and next weekend (Dec. 2nd and 3rd) the park will be aglow with 750,000 lights during the annual Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul. Tickets to Holiday Nights can be purchased at the door for $15 for non-members ($10 for members) and $2 for children under 12. Check hours and directions.

3) Colossal Cave–Having trouble prying the kids away from the video games? Go subterranean. Pima County’s Colossal Cave Mountain Park offers a slew of opportunities to explore the history, archeology, and nature of the region.  Park entrance is $5 per vehicle (up to 6 people), and a standard tour of the cave lasting 45 minutes to an hour runs $13 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 5-12. Download a fun pass coupon for half off a child’s cave tour with purchase of an adult ticket.  Special adventure tours, including candlelight tours, are available by reservation (additional fee, depending on the tour chosen; Note: children are not permitted on some adventure tours). Call for more information or adventure tour reservations: 520-647-PARK (7275). Later in the season (Dec. 16th and 17th), watch for the Holidays in the Park event, which features wagon rides around the historic La Posta Quemada Ranch, followed by hot chocolate and s’mores and a candlelight tour of the cave.

Iconic saguaros tower over the Cactus Forest Scenic Loop in Saguaro National Park East. Photo Courtesy: Christine Hoekenga

4) Saguaro National Park–You can’t let Uncle Jim go back to Florida without getting out to see the giant saguaros in all their iconic glory. Sure, there are pockets all over town, but there’s nothing quite like seeing a whole forest of them. After you’ve lived here for a while, it’s easy to forget how spectacular it is the first time you see them en masse. I was reminded last week when I took my mom out on the 8-mile Cactus Forest Scenic Loop in Saguaro East ($10 per vehicle for a 7-day pass) just in time to catch the sunset over the Tucson Mountains. Pull-outs and trailheads along the loop are abundant. One easy, wheelchair accessible option is the Desert Ecology Trail, which offers interpretive signs about desert wildlife. If you’re sunset hunting, head up to the Rincon Mountain Overlook or Javelina Rocks for great views out over the valley.

5) Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum–This Tucson staple is more zoo than museum, showcasing local ecosystems and wildlife like ocelots, bobcats, snakes, lizards, birds of all kinds, and–my personal favorite–prairie dogs. Admission is $14.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids ages 6-12, and worth every penny. Don’t miss the raptor free flight demonstrations (included in the price of admission) when large birds of prey like falcons, hawks, and owls take to the skies overhead (daily at 10 am and 2 pm, weather permitting). Art lovers in your group can also get their fill in the Ironwood Gallery, currently showing prize-winning selections from the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild. Check hours and fees.

Remember: Out-of-town guests may not be accustomed to the dry Sonoran air or to worrying about sunburn in November. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunblock with you on any outing. And as with any outdoor trip, make sure you are well oriented and have a map before hitting the trail.

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Cyclists ride in El Tour de Tucson 2010. Photo Courtesy: Flickr User Bill Morrow (Creative Commons)

Looking for something to do this weekend? Come out and celebrate the 29th annual El Tour de Tucson bike ride, which will flood the city’s streets with more than 9,000 bicycles starting at 7:00 am Saturday morning. Carolyn Classen over at Carolyn’s Community has details, or visit the official Tour website for maps, schedules, and other information.

If you’re not a cyclist or you missed registering this year, you can still watch the action and take part in the festivities at the El Tour Fiesta, which takes place at the  Children’s Museum Tucson/Military Plaza Park (200 South 6th Avenue). The events kicks off with a light show and the singing of the national anthem at 6:30 am and go all day. Riders are expected to start crossing the finish line around 11:15 am.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful, so grab the family and come out to cheer on your fellow Tucsonians and visitors as they ride their hearts out around the Old Pueblo. Good luck riders!

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Saddle Mountain, one of Arizona's wilderness areas (this one on Forest Service land). Photo Courtesy: Flickr User Dave Lawrence

Late last week, the Department of Interior released a report recommending that more backcountry areas on BLM lands be protected as wilderness, national conservation areas, or similar designations.

Commissioned by Interior’s head honcho Ken Salazar and prepared by Deputy Secretary David Hayes and BLM Director Bob Abbey, the report calls out spots in nine western states that “may be appropriate candidates for immediate congressional action,” including places like the McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and the proposed Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area in New Mexico.

Notably absent from the list: any specific areas ripe for protection in Arizona.

Instead, the report, which purportedly sought out “areas where there is strong local support for conservation designations,” spends a page praising Arizona as an example for the region. Apparently, the authors are smitten with work done by the state’s delegation in the late 1980′s to preserve the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and to pass the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act of 1990. “There are opportunities to build on these early conservation successes in Arizona, but we have not included any specific recommendations for this state in this report,” the authors noted.  “Instead, we encourage congressional delegations around the West to follow the model that was used to great effect in Arizona.”

A hiker in Paria Canyon, Arizona. Photo Courtesy: Flickr User AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker (Creative Commons)

Meanwhile, the Arizona Wilderness Coalition is not content to let the state rest on it’s conservation laurels. The coalition–along with businesses, faith groups, and others in the community–is working to drum up support and get feedback on the Sonoran Desert Heritage Proposal. Supporters are seeking to “preserve the essence of Arizona” through wilderness designation and other conservation measures in Maricopa County.  A series of open house meetings to gather community feedback concludes this week with the final two gatherings tonight in Surprise and Thursday night in Buckeye. If you can’t make it to a meeting but want to add your two cents, you can submit comments and questions online.

Find Out More: Current wilderness areas on BLM lands in Arizona and National Conservation Areas in the West

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