Bobcatting Aztec Springs NEW VENUE

Description: Bobcatting Aztec Springs NEW VENUE
Round Trip Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles
Round Trip Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevation: 7300’ to 7900'
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Mellow Plus

Please 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 which enhances the hiking experience for everyone. It is not about competition, but cooperation. This is a group outing and participants are expected to stay with the group. COVID vaccination and compliance with CDC rules on quarantine and isolation are required (i.e., don't attend if you have Covid!). firearms or commercial solicitations.

Hike Description: The Aztec Springs trail begins at the north end of the Nature Conservancy Canyon Preserve. The first part of the hike follows a dry arroyo up a shallow canyon, passing thru chamissa fields, pinyon-juniper forest and Ponderosa pines. The trail ends when it hits private land, where we’ll turn around and retrace part of our route until we get to a trail that exits the canyon fairly steeply and connects to a ridgetop trail featuring expansive views of Atalaya, Thompson Peak, the ski area and other mountains. The ridgetop trail intersects the Dale Ball trail, which we’ll follow back to the trailhead, with a short stop for fossil hunting above the Santa Fe River. Overall, a pleasant hike, with nothing too dramatic, but it should be able to handle moisture pretty well, which will be handy if we finally get some additional precipitation before Tuesday. Note, the Aztec Springs trail is mostly in a shady canyon and tends to be a cold sink, so plan accordingly.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, water resistant outerwear.
Water for a 3+ hour hike and snacks/lunch.

Meeting Place:
DEVARGAS: We'll meet at Devargas behind Market Street but a little closer to the bowling alley. We'll leave promptly at the meet time. If your plans change at the last minute, please call Ken at 248-252-0708.

Dogs: No dogs, per venue rules.

Cost/Driving: Car-pooling is up to attendees. Riders are to contribute $2 to the driver for gas.

Cancellations:
Please be courteous to those on the waitlist and if your plans change and you won't attend, put yourself in the 'not going' group. If you don't know how to do that contact me and I'll do it for you.

Release and Waiver:
By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including: 1) injuries from falls, living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders 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). The preceding sentence supplements any other exculpatory arrangement to which the Participant is subject.