Santa Rita Mts: Spring into 2018 @ Kent Springs

*** NOTE: This hike may cancel if snowy conditions exist ***

~~ Length: 6.0 miles Out & Back
~~ Elev gain: 1700'
~~ Starting Elev - 5060'
~~ Kent Springs Elev - 6720'
~~ Rated: C - Intermediate
~~ RESTRICTIONS: No guests, dogs, firearms or tobacco

~~ We will DEPART the Home Depot at 9:00.
Plan to get there at 8:45 or you may get left behind.

Please plan to carpool as the parking area for this hike fills up fast.
Meet at the Home Depot: 1155 W. Irvington Irvington - I 19 Intersection · Tucson, AZ

Madera Canyon is a fee area - $5.00 per car.
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.

Here is a Madera Canyon Trail Map (https://goo.gl/kXEED8) with trails highlighted.

Let's start the year out right with a leisurely hike up to Kent Springs in the Santa Rita Mountains.

Highlights of this hike include a lovely oak/juniper forest, giant quartzite boulders, huge old Arizona Sycamores, and, of course, some great views all the way to Kitt Peak.

"Kent Springs is named for a colorful Forest Service Ranger named William H. Kent, nicknamed "Whiskey Highball" Kent.
Kent set the boundaries of several Southern Arizona Forest Reserves in the 1900s.
He was forever in trouble with his superiors for wearing a red bandanna instead of his official ranger hat.
He often held staff meetings at a spring in Madera Canyon that now bears his name."
Source: A History of Madera Canyon Published by the Friends of Madera Canyon (http://www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org/).

We will take time for rest stops, lunch at the Spring and taking in the views so expect to be out for around 4-5 hours minimum including driving time.

There are NO rest rooms or water at the trail head.
Please come prepared with plenty of water, food, sunscreen, etc.

If you are new to the group or a beginner hiker please read these:
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://goo.gl/tPJFiM) General Info
A road map to Madera Canyon is here (https://goo.gl/bNvJAK).

For questions or more info call me at: 304.290.8066 (No Texting)
WV-Mike