Catalina Mts: Prison Camp to Sycamore Reservoir

Length: 5.0 mi Out and Back
El gain: 800' + -
Starting El: 4880'
High point 5040'
Sycamore Reservoir 4880'

• Rating: D - Beginner +
  ** No Dogs Please

Hike STARTS at 11:00

If you wish to car pool a convenient location to meet is Le Buzze (http://www.lebuzzcaffe.com/) at the northeast corner of Tanque Verde & Catalina Highway. Meet in front.
Or, you can meet us at the trail head location at the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site (GHRS).

There is a Google map with the route from Le Buzze to the GHRS here (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d616ba46a7fb20f06&msa=0&ll=32.295549,-110.736694&spn=0.144815,0.308647). Both Le Buzze and the GHRS are marked on the map.
The trail head starts at the parking area in the back of the GHRS. There are restsooms but no water.

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Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site is a fee area:
$5.00 per car or Federal pass
These fees for recreational use will hopefully allow
the Forest Service to continue to subsidize grazing
leases and timber sales at their present generous levels.

Links with more info:
FAQ - Passes, Permits & Fees (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coronado/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fswdev7_018712)
Fees no longer collected for Mt. Lemmon parking, hiking (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/fees-no-longer-collected-for-mt-lemmon-parking-hiking/article_dd4ce37a-5cfb-11e1-b28d-001871e3ce6c.html)

This hike is on part of the Arizona Trail and passes through areas burned by the Aspen Fire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen_Fire) in 2003. It burned 84,750 acres of land, and destroyed 340 homes and businesses of the town of Summerhaven.
The reservoir is now filled in with debris but there is a lush riparian area near the old dam which makes a pleasant place to have lunch.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/8/4/e/event_206807182.jpeg

Oak grasslands with great views

We will enjoy the open grasslands, oaks, and sweeping views of the rocky slopes of nearby peaks and the lush area around the lunch stop at the reservoir make it sound like a winner.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/b/3/2/event_206807922.jpeg

Riparian area near the old reservoir

We will hike at a leisurely pace taking time to explore the prison ruins, enjoy the views and catch our breath when needed.

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Background information on the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site:

The Aspen Fire burned this area in 2003, but most of the big oaks remain. Some nearby ruins of the historic Prison Camp are now more visible.

The "Catalina Federal Honor Camp" (AKA: prison) was established in 1939 to provide prison labor to build the Catalina Highway. During World War II many of the prisoners at the Honor Camp were draft resisters and conscientious objectors. In 1999, the recreation area was renamed for its most famous prisoner, Gordon Hirabayishi, who served 90 days there for challenging the constitutionality of internment of Japanese American citizens.

All of the prisoners at the honor camp had been convicted of Federal crimes, ranging from immigration law violations to tax evasion to bank robbery. During World War II, many of the prisoners at the honor camp were conscientious objectors, such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Hopi Indians, whose religions prohibited them from serving in the military. Some of the prisoners were Japanese Americans protesting the "Japanese American Relocation," the largest forced removal and incarceration in U.S. history.

In 1942, Gordon Hirabayashi was a senior at the University of Washington in Seattle. Instead of reporting for relocation, Hirabayashi turned himself in to the FBI. He challenged the constitutionality of internment and a curfew imposed on Japanese American Citizens, since both were based solely on race or ancestry.

Sycamore Reservoir was originally constructed to supply water to an old prison camp along the Catalina Highway. This small lake has been made even smaller by flash floods which have washed huge amounts of rock and sand into the lake. Still, the reservoir and surrounding area remains a pleasant destination for a day trip or an overnight. A sand beach and stands of alder, willow and sycamore grace various parts of its shoreline. Riparian vegetation extends into the two canyons that come together to form the dam site, providing habitat for birds and other watchable wildlife.

Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.

As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

If you are new to the group please read these:

About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/)
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (http://files.meetup.com/372195/No%20Show%20Policy.pdf)
Tips for Beginning Hikers - Sierra Club (http://arizona.sierraclub.org/trail_guide/index.htm)
Hike Rating Scale (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)

If you have questions or need to reach me:
Cell: 304.290.8066
WV-Mike (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/members/13110160/)