Santa Rita Mts: Hike to Rogers Rock

Dist: 4.5 mile loop
TH El: 5,450'
High Point: 6437'
El Gain: 1,050'
Accum. Gain: 1,450'

• Rated "B/C" Beginner/Intermediate (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)
  ** No dogs please

Veteran hiker Roger Nordby (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/members/11539659/) will co-lead this hike!

DEPART Lowes at 10:00
Hike STARTS at 11:00

If you wish to car pool, a convenient location to meet is at the Lowes on Valencia (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d3cedf48b25718988&msa=0).
Park in the southest corner of the lot. A location map is here (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d3cedf48b25718988&msa=0&ll=32.134616,-111.00418&spn=0.002267,0.004823).

Or, you can meet us at the Mt Wrightson trail head for an 11:00 hike start.
The Mt Wrightson parking lot is the very last one at the dead end of Madera Canyon Rd. Rest rooms and maps are available here.

The trail head is approximately 1 hour/40 miles south of Tucson.
There is a Google route map here. (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d3cea7c74b2c8f161&msa=0)

A Madera Canyon Trail Map is here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Madera%20Canyon%20Trail%20Map.pdf). It is a printable PDF

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Madera Canyon 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)

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This hike will allow you the opportunity to hike a path less taken and visit a spot most hikers in the Santa Ritas never get to.

It starts on the Super Trail which we will follow just past the first creek crossing. The trail will soon start switchbacking.
After the first hard right, we will look for a definite dirt path leading off the trail and heading up to the left. This path is known as the "Pipeline Trail". It is not an official trail and is not on the official maps. When we get to Rogers Rock we will climb up on top which can be done easily and safely. Then we will relax, take in the fabulous view, eat our snacks and head back down the trail after a half an hour or so.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/c/f/a/event_197744282.jpeg

Young hiker and old Alligator Juniper in Madera Canyon

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/2/d/6/event_197745782.jpeg

Mt Wrigtson in the Santa Rita Mts

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)

Many factors determine the difficulty of a hike: mileage, terrain, elevation and pace. The hike rating scale that we have adopted is: (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)

A - Extreme: no limit for distance or elevation
B - Advanced: maximum 16 miles or 3000' gain
C - Intermediate: maximum 8 miles or 1500' gain
D - Beginner: maximum 4 miles or 500' gain

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