Trails

Arizona Trail: Saturday May 17, Jan Johnson, “wild” Bill and I took the long hike up to where we needed to put in a 35 foot re-route. Bill was not used to hiking much but Jan is the hiking veteran here. We all made it up fine, and dug right in re-routing a horrible spot. 2 hikers came along and expressed their thanks. Then a biker came along and we stopped and brought him up to speed on the Az Trail, CLRC, and all things “maintenance”…he was new here so when the opportunity arises, well, you know me……We were done in 1.5 hours! Great job, wonderful reroute, and many thanks to Jan and Bill. The weather was wonderful.

Oracle State Park: Our ride on May 18 went very well. Beth, Stefanie, Michelle, Ron, Bill and I had a wonderful day, the weather was perfect. I rode Lee’s horse and he was a perfect gentleman. My new mule isn’t ready for group rides, yet. One thing we found out, and was suspicious of, they are now requiring State Park permits for this far N.E. parking lot. They didn’t use to require it for this parking lot, but now they do. Remember Oracle is 10 degrees cooler than Catalina, and you can ride in this park all year long. You can get your permit on-line or easily purchase one at the entrance booth at Catalina State Park.

The Boys: (Mike Czap, Dave Harris, Jerry Wilson, “wild” Bill) what news I have for you!! “The Boys” have installed a new gate up at Flat Rock (far north end of the 50 yr trail) and shored up the fencing as well. JOB WELL DONE!!!
Also, Bill and Dave somehow, using a digging bar and all their strength, moved that big boulder at that little gate on the forest fencing just north of the Little Cottonwoods. This is now less dangerous to move thru than it was before. JOB WELL DONE!!!

My To-Do-List: All Rightie, yes, summer is on us. Everyone needs goals, and here’s the list for now:
1) Deer Camp: finish digging out the spring box, fix the piping at the box, and replace and re-clamp about 75 feet of new pipe so we’ll have water up there. Per Bill’s suggestion, we’ll do some trail maintenance on that trail, as too many wildcat trails have sprung up along the way. We cannot install signs on the Forest—a no-no…but we can install cairns so people won’t lose their way. Until we do that, if you go up there, just stay to the left, don’t take any right turns. I REALLY need someone to officially adopt this section of the trail for regular 2x a year maintenance. Let me know who wants this section (from the bird-rock intersection, east on the deer camp trail).
2) Caressa+Jim donated a gate and some concrete, Ron Olson also gave us a bag of concrete (thank you ) and I need to purchase whatever else we need , and we’ll install that gate at Middle Gate. Take out that awful texas gate and shore up the fencing too. (Middle Gate is on the 50 yr trail before you get to the chutes.)
What else. I can’t think. I know there is more. Oh yes, I need to install carsonite signs at the Tortolita Preserve. I’ll be calling Bill to help with that, and we’ll pack a mule to carry those things along with maybe some cold beverages….hmmmm..

Adopt-A-Ranch: Haven’t gotten any calls from Rancher George for any roundups lately. Too hot now I think. But they move cattle every 6 weeks or so. Next time I schedule a ride for our ranch, please come, you are missing out on a wonderful place to ride. Fuel ? You can buddy up with me, I can take 4 horses…
Please contact me on any trails issues/ access/ gates, etc…
bevshowalter@comcast.net 825-4886
TRAILS NEWS — by Bev Showalter, CLRC Trails Advocate

State Land Permit: 
It is Vital that all of us have in our possession a state land permit while riding state land. DO NOT get caught without one, please! Go on-line: www.land.state.az.us click on “recreation permits”, scroll down page, click on “permit application” and print out your application form. Mail in. Takes a few days to get the permit.  Please contact me on any trails issue: Bev Showalter 825-4886 (w) 901-1862 (cell) 850-2196) bevshowalter@comcast.net (best)