Catalina Mts: Sutherland Trail to the Big Rock

PLEASE Do Not sign up for this hike unless you are certain you will be attending.

Length: 5.0 miles Round Trip
Elev gain: +- 700'
Rated: Beginner/Intermediate
**RESTRICTIONS: No dogs, firearms or tobacco

• State Park Fee - $7.00 per car (1-4 Adults)

Meet at the parking lot next to the Bank. Look for a white van with the hatch up. We will then car pool across the road to the State Park. If you have a AZ State Parks pass - Bring it!

We will hike the Sutherland trail to the big rock and then have lunch. We will return by the same route and via the Canyon Trail Loop when everyone is ready.

The Hike:

This is a fairly flat, out and back hike, beginning off the Canyon Loop Trail in Catalina State Park (fee). It is an easy hike with only a little climbing. From parking, you'll look for the Sutherland/Canyon Loop sign (face the road from Parking and go to the left). About 15 minutes up the trail is the Sutherland Trail intersection.

The Canyon Loop stays right following the creek bottom.
Sutherland Trail immediately climbs to a plateau and levels off. Hiking along this flat area you will notice a small ridge in front and to the right, in the distance. The trail takes you to the ridge, then makes a gradual climb along its North side.
There are some interesting large rock formations that bring to mind an ambush in the old west.

Not far beyond is a wire gate and fence, marking the forest boundary. Always properly close these gates! The trail now crosses a wash, with pools and large rock expanses, perfect for a picnic stop and the most common turn around on this trail. It's only 5 minutes to the intersection with the 50 year trail and a rocky road that leads toward Mt. Lemmon.

Click here (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=852) for another route description (includes Mt Lemmon section)
Click here (http://azstateparks.com/Parks/CATA/) for Catalina State Park web site
Click here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Catalina%20SP%20Hiking%20Map.pdf) for Catalina State Park hiking map

Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.

Please remember the RSVP etiquette:

• Sign up only if you really intend to come
• If you need to cancel, do so by the deadline
• If you change your mind take yourself off the Going or Wait list
• Please don't be a no-show; it forces us to wait unnecessarily, and might prevent someone on the waitlist from coming.

As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

If you are new to the group please click in the links below and read them :

CLICK HERE - About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/)
CLICK HERE - Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (http://files.meetup.com/372195/No%20Show%20Policy.pdf)
CLICK HERE - 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
Email: WV-Mike (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/members/13110160/)