Beginners ** ONLY ** Santa Rita Mountains: Madera Canyon Nature Trail

Length: 4.00 mi Out and Back
El Gain 500

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

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 Proctor trail head for an 11:00 hike start.
The Proctor parking lot is the very first one on the right when you enter Madera Canyon. It is the first right past the fee/info station entrance. 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)

This hike starts at the mouth of world famous Madera Canyon. This is a north facing canyon so it is relatively shady and cool. Especially when compared to the open desert. This, coupled with the elevation make it a summer haven for those in the greater Tucson area.
The canyon is also home to many species of birds which brings people in from all over for bird watching trips.

The beginning of the hike starts with the ADA trail which is a gentle grade and partially paved. It winds along the creek through a forest of 100+ year old Oak trees and ancient Alligator Juniper.

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

Young hiker and old Alligator Juniper

Where the ADA trail ends the path turns to packed soil with some areas of both loose and embedded rock.

As the trail continues up the canyon and along the creek it now passes by giant boulders, big Arizona Sycamores and more old oaks and junipers until it reaches the Amphitheater.
We have now hiked 2 miles up the Canyon. We will take a break at the Amphitheater and when everyone is ready we will head back down the canyon via the same route.

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

Mt Wrightson in Winter

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/hikingtips.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/)