Bobcatting Jicarita Creek ***WAIT LIST SIGN UP, THURSDAY HIKE***

Description: Bobcatting Jicarita Creek
***WAIT LIST SIGN UP, THURSDAY HIKE***
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 4 or 5.5 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 3 or 5 hours
Elevation: 8,900’ to 10,100’ or 10,600’
Rating: Moderate++

Please be considerate of others and do not RSVP for this hike if you cannot go up and down Atalaya in under 3 hours. This helps us to stay together as a group, enhancing the hiking experience for everyone. It is not about competition, but cooperation. COVID vaccination and compliance with CDC rules on quarantine and isolation are required (I.e., don't attend if you have Covid!). This is a group event and participants are expected to stay with the group. No firearms or commercial solicitations.

WAIT LIST: THIS IS A TRICKY HIKE INVOLVING A RIVER CROSSING AND OTHER RISKY FEATURES. EVERYONE WHO SIGNS UP WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAIT LIST. I WILL NOTIFY PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST IF THEY CAN ATTEND (THOUGH MY DETERMINATION OF WHETHER ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN ATTEND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ANY SORT OF ASSURANCE THAT THEY WILL NOT ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES OR RISK). MY DETERMINATION WILL BE FINAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATION.

Hike Description:
Jicarita Creek is located in Santa Barbara Canyon, about 1.5 hours north of Santa Fe. The route will briefly pass thru the (closed) Santa Barbara Campground, after which we’ll arrive at the Rio Santa Barbara, a fairly shallow but cold and fast flowing river. We’ll put on our river crossing footwear and cross, carefully stepping on the slick, sometimes wobbly stones comprising the river bed. It’s tricky! On the other side, we’ll don our hiking boots and ascend up–often steeply up–an often-faded trail obstructed at times with deadfall we’ll have to climb over or go off trail to get around. It will be harder than what the Bobcats usually do.

There are three major highlights. First, there are some great views across the Rio Santa Barbara and Jicarita Creek, featuring brilliant, glowing aspen trees on the opposing canyon walls. Some vistas will be at peak, some a little past peak, some not yet peak, so it should be a good, varied color show. Second, there is a serene and splendid aspen grove most of which should be near or just past peak color change. Finally, there is a large meadow just beneath the steep wall-like ridge leading to Jicarita Peak (which we won’t be able to see). We might not make it to this meadow, as the deadfall gets worse as the trail ascends and it may be too tough to continue. (The two sets of mileages and elevations in the header reflect stopping soon after the aspen grove or continuing all the way up). Overall, it’s a challenging and rewarding hike that should be at or near its best when we hike it.

Note: There are hunters in the area, so bright clothes are a good idea.

Also: The area was fully accessible October 3, but changes to the implementation of the federal government shutdown could affect this without warning.

And . . . if you sign-up with a +1 notify me who it is.

What to bring:
***Appropriate footwear for wading across a fast-flowing river with bed of slippery rocks***
Small towel
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outerwear
Water for a 5 hour hike
Lunch and snacks.

Meeting Place: DEVARGAS. We will meet at Devargas Center, behind Market Street, but a little closer to the bowling alley. We leave promptly at the meet time, so contact me at 248-252-0708 if you are running late.

Dogs: No pets.

Cost/Driving: Car-pooling is up to attendees. Roads are paved or decent gravel. Non-drivers are to contribute $10 for gas.

Cancelling. Please be courteous and if your plans change, promptly remove yourself from the 'go' (or wait) list so others can adjust their calendars. If you don't know how to remove yourself from the go (or wait) list, contact me and I'll do it for you.

Waiver and Release. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from all liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including: 1) injuries from falls (including falls while crossing a river), living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders making risky or inapt decisions including not undertaking the least risky option available (e.g., hiking a steep slope instead of a gentle slope) or not treating an injury in the optimal way (e.g., due to insufficient training or inept execution). The preceding sentence supplements any other applicable exculpatory arrangement.